2022 Lexus RX vs 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

The 2022 Lexus RX was available in several trims, including the base 350, F Sport, and L for its gas powertrain, with a hybrid model known as the RX 450h. The RX 350 and F Sport seated five, while the L trim offered a three-row, 7-passenger configuration. The 2022 model continued the modern and sporty design introduced in its 2020 facelift, featuring a revised grille and other exterior enhancements. Competing with the likes of the Audi Q5, BMW X5, Genesis GV80, and Mercedes-Benz GLE, the RX stood out with its aggressive styling. The exterior boasted sharp character lines and angular features, particularly in the front and rear, creating a satisfying yet eye-catching design.

The F Sport trim was the most athletic in appearance, featuring 20-inch wheels, black-housing outside mirrors, dark window trimming, F Sport badging, and a unique front fascia with larger air intakes. The base and L trims came with 18-inch wheels, bi-LED headlights, integrated LED turn signals, a rear spoiler, and LED daytime running lights and brake lights. Inside, the RX offered a luxurious cabin with nearly a dozen color combinations, while the F Sport added sporty elements like model-specific badging and Scored Aluminum trim. Despite the high-quality feel, the center stack felt dated, and the NuLuxe seats in the F Sport trim were less comfortable than expected.

Volkswagen created the 2022 Atlas Cross Sport by removing the third row from the standard seven-passenger Atlas, lowering the roofline by 2.3 inches, and shortening the SUV’s length by 5.2 inches. The wheelbase remained the same, ensuring a roomy interior for five people, but the reduced length and angled rear window decreased cargo space to 40.3 cubic feet behind the second row and a maximum of 77.8 cubic feet. These changes resulted in a bold, sporty, and upscale appearance, especially in the SEL Premium R-Line trim with newly standard 21-inch machined-finish wheels.

The base SE trim had 18-inch alloy wheels that looked too small for the Cross Sport’s fenders, while the SE with Technology and SEL trims featured larger 20-inch wheels. The SEL R-Line Black trim had black wheels. Six paint colors were available, with some requiring an extra cost. The test vehicle in Pure Gray looked fantastic with the Dark Burgundy over Titan Black interior. Other interior colors included Cinnamon Brown and Titan Black, all conveying an upscale appearance. However, the interior had an abundance of hard, glossy plastic, dulling the impression of quality. Despite this, the Atlas Cross Sport felt worth every penny.

The 2022 Lexus RX 350 was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid RX 450h added two high-torque electric motors to the V6 for a combined output of 308 hp. All RX models featured an eight-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive standard on the RX 350 and all-wheel drive available. The hybrid RX came exclusively with AWD. Despite the F Sport designation, the RX lacked real-world sporty performance. The engine note was more of a hum than a growl, and acceleration was unimpressive, with the vehicle often feeling hesitant.

The F Sport trim included front and rear performance dampers, and the F Sport Handling package added an adaptive variable suspension, sport steering, and a Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) system. Drive modes included Eco, Normal, Sport, and Sport+, with hybrid models also offering an EV mode. However, the differences between Normal and Sport/Sport+ modes were minimal. The RX excelled in driving comfort and cabin quietness, absorbing rough patches and providing a serene ride. The RX 350 had an EPA rating of 20 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined, while the RX 450h hybrid achieved 30 mpg combined.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered two engines: a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.6-liter V6 with 276 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque. The V6 had a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, compared to the turbo-four’s 2,000 pounds. Both engines used an eight-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive standard and VW’s 4Motion AWD system available. The 4Motion system included driving modes like Onroad, Snow, Offroad, and Custom Offroad, with additional settings within Onroad.

The SEL Premium R-Line test vehicle had the V6 engine and 4Motion as standard. The V6 felt more energetic in the two-row Cross Sport than in the three-row Atlas, though it occasionally lacked refinement. The test vehicle averaged 19.2 mpg. The 21-inch wheels and Pirelli Scorpion Zero tires looked great but negatively impacted ride quality, making the suspension feel harsh at lower speeds and too soft at higher speeds. The Cross Sport excelled in highway driving, where the ride quality was agreeable, and the V6 engine was most efficient.

The standard two-row Lexus RX had 99.8 cubic feet of passenger volume, comfortably fitting four adults, with room for five in a snug fit. Front headroom was 39.4 inches, and rear headroom was 39.1 inches. Front legroom measured 44.1 inches, with 38.0 inches in the rear. The three-row L models had the same wheelbase, resulting in limited cargo space. The RX 350L had a 2/3/2 seating configuration, with second-row captain’s chairs available. Cargo space in the standard RX was 16.0 cubic feet behind the second row, expanding to 32.6 cubic feet with the second row folded. The three-row models had only 7.45 cubic feet with all seats upright, increasing to 58.48 cubic feet with both back rows down.

The RX featured thoughtful interior elements like a dedicated smartphone slot, adjustable-height cup holder, quick-access head-up display button, and a flat-bottomed cargo net. However, the rear seats did not fold completely flat, and the high load-in height made loading cargo challenging.

The Atlas Cross Sport shared its wheelbase, track width, and interior with the larger seven-passenger model, offering exceptional roominess for five adults. The test vehicle had 10-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, heated rear outboard 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.

Comfort was a priority, with ample storage space in door panel bins, a large glove compartment, and other nooks. However, the lack of rubber or fabric lining in storage areas could cause rattling and scraping noises. The cargo area was spacious, with deep wells for carrying items and additional storage under the load floor. Despite the reduced cargo space compared to the seven-passenger model, the Cross Sport could easily store full-size suitcases and other items.

The 2022 Lexus RX came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen display, with a 12.3-inch version available. The touchscreens were moved 5.5 inches closer to the driver in the 2020 refresh but still had ergonomic issues. The screens sat within a cove on the center stack, creating a lip that partially blocked icons and forced awkward tapping. The touchpad was hypersensitive and unintuitive, making it frustrating to use. The drive mode selector was placed next to the touchpad, leading to confusion.

Despite these issues, the RX offered quality tech features like six USB ports, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration, wireless charging, Amazon Alexa compatibility, a WiFi hotspot, dual- and tri-zone climate control, premium audio systems, navigation, and heated and ventilated seats. The Lexus App allowed for remote engine start, vehicle settings, and service scheduling.

The base 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 had a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit, an 8-inch touchscreen with proximity sensing, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM with 360L, wireless charging, and more USB ports.

The upgraded infotainment system provided access to Car-Net connected service plans, offering remote start, emergency assistance, a WiFi hotspot, and more. The SEL Premium R-Line test vehicle had a 12-speaker Fender premium sound system, which was exceptional for the price point. However, the user experience with the infotainment system could be frustrating, making smartphone pairing a better option.

The 2022 Lexus RX came standard with the Lexus Safety System 2.0+, which included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, road-sign recognition, lane-keeping assist, a pre-collision system, and intelligent high beams. Additional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a head-up display, and Lexus Enform Safety Connect. The RX was named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS with optional triple-beam LED headlights but missed the top-tier “plus” designation. The NHTSA gave the RX a four-star overall rating, with five stars in side crash tests and four stars in frontal crashes and rollover resistance.

The Atlas Cross Sport 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, rear cross-traffic alert, and IQ Drive. IQ Drive featured Travel Assist and Emergency Assist, with the latter bringing the vehicle to a stop if the driver was unresponsive.

The SEL Premium R-Line test vehicle had a Parking Steering Assistant system and an Area View 360-degree camera system. Travel Assist was accurate but occasionally too obvious in its inputs. The Atlas Cross Sport’s Lane Assist technology sometimes misinterpreted road construction scars as lane markings. The Cross Sport received favorable crash-test ratings but did not earn the highest accolades from the IIHS or NHTSA.