2022 Lexus GX vs 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

The 2022 Lexus GX 460 Black Line Special Edition, evaluated in Black Onyx, was a striking vehicle that eradicated almost all chrome from its exterior, transforming it into a rolling black hole. However, it took less than a day for a layer of dust to make the Lexus look drab and old. Despite its modern touches like the signature spindle grille and triple-beam LED headlights, the GX's design remained reminiscent of its two-decade-old predecessor. Inside, the cabin's quality was undeniable, with smooth, silky refinement and a quiet atmosphere, save for the faint roar of the V8 engine. The GX was available in Standard, Premium, and Luxury trims, with prices ranging from $56,700 to $66,210, including destination charges. The Black Line Special Edition, based on the Premium trim, started at $60,535.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, derived from the standard seven-passenger Atlas, featured a more rakish appearance with a lower roofline and shorter length. This design resulted in a bold, sporty, and upscale look, especially in the SEL Premium R-Line trim with 21-inch machined-finish wheels. However, other wheel choices were less appealing, with the base SE trim's 18-inch wheels looking too small. The test vehicle, in Pure Gray with a Dark Burgundy over Titan Black interior, looked fantastic. Despite some hard, glossy plastic dulling the impression of quality, the Atlas Cross Sport's interior was spacious and comfortable, with various color combinations conveying an upscale appearance. The MSRP for the SEL Premium R-Line was $52,495, slightly less than the standard Atlas SEL Premium R-Line.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460, with a base curb weight of 5,126 pounds, featured a 4.6-liter V8 engine producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque at 3,500 rpm. This powertrain, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and a full-time 4WD system, allowed the GX to tow up to 6,500 pounds. Despite its high drag coefficient of 0.35 and a fuel economy estimate of 16 mpg in combined driving, the GX returned 16.8 mpg during testing. The Kinetic Dynamics Suspension System (KDSS) enhanced the GX's ride and handling, making it more stable and secure. However, the slow, heavy steering and touchy brake pedal were less appealing. The Off-Road Package, available with the Luxury trim, added features like Multi-Terrain Select, Crawl Control, and skid plates for improved off-road capability.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered two engine options: a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.6-liter V6 with 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. The V6, with a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, was more satisfying despite its lower fuel economy of 20 mpg in combined driving. Both engines used an eight-speed automatic transmission, with FWD standard and 4Motion AWD available. The SEL Premium R-Line test vehicle, equipped with the V6 and 4Motion, felt more energetic than the three-row Atlas. However, the V6 was aging, and the drivetrain occasionally lacked refinement, averaging 19.2 mpg during testing. The 21-inch wheels and Pirelli Scorpion Zero tires, while stylish, negatively impacted ride quality, making the suspension feel harsh at lower speeds and too soft at higher speeds. Highway driving was where the Atlas Cross Sport excelled, with agreeable ride quality and efficient V6 performance.

The 2022 Lexus GX offered an elevated driving position with a 10-way power-adjustable seat and clear outward visibility. Its tall, narrow, and short design made it easy to maneuver in various situations, though the slow steering required extra effort. The Black Line Special Edition featured comfortable seats, NuLuxe upholstery, black ash wood trim, and triple-zone automatic climate control. However, the rear seat was tricky to access, and the third-row seat was cramped and eliminated cargo space. The GX's side-swinging tailgate further complicated loading, with limited cargo space of 11.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 46.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 64.7 cubic feet with the second row folded.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, sharing its wheelbase and track width with the larger Atlas, provided exceptional interior space for five adults. The test vehicle featured 10-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone automatic climate control. A panoramic sunroof added to the spacious feel, and rear side-window sunshades protected passengers from sunlight. The Atlas Cross Sport's cargo area was generous, with deep wells for additional storage and space for full-size suitcases. Despite its shorter length and lower roofline, the Cross Sport offered ample cargo space for various needs.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460 featured a new 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and navigation. The system, positioned at the top of the center control panel, was easy to see and use, though the old Remote Touch Interface touchpad remained. The GX also included a CD player, a smartwatch-compatible Lexus app, and Lexus Enform connected services with a WiFi hotspot. However, the stereo controls were awkwardly placed below the off-roading controls, making them harder to use. The infotainment display offered a dual-screen view, and the voice recognition technology was quick and accurate. For 2022, Lexus added Intuitive Parking Assist as standard, with optional surround-view and terrain-view cameras.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport SE came with Volkswagen Digital Cockpit, an 8-inch digital instrumentation panel, and a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and two USB-C ports. Higher trims featured a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit, an 8-inch touchscreen with proximity sensing, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM with 360L, wireless smartphone charging, and additional USB ports. The upgraded infotainment system provided access to Car-Net connected services, including remote start, emergency assistance, a WiFi hotspot, and natural voice recognition. The SEL Premium R-Line test vehicle had a 12-speaker Fender premium sound system, which was impressive for the price point. However, the user experience with the infotainment system could be frustrating, making smartphone pairing a better option.

The 2022 Lexus GX, structurally outdated, lacked crash-test ratings. However, it included Lexus Safety System+ with adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. Additional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services with automatic collision notification and emergency calling. Missing were advanced safety technologies like lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, and semi-autonomous driving systems, which might be a drawback for some buyers.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered more safety features as you moved up the trim levels. Standard features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and an automatic post-collision braking system. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control, parking sensors, low-speed automatic braking, automatic high-beam headlights, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, and IQ Drive with Travel Assist and Emergency Assist. The SEL Premium R-Line test vehicle also had a semi-autonomous Parking Steering Assistant and an Area View 360-degree camera system. While Travel Assist and Lane Assist occasionally lacked refinement, the overall safety package was comprehensive. The Atlas Cross Sport received favorable crash-test ratings, though not the highest accolades from IIHS or NHTSA.