2023 Land Rover Defender vs 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

Volkswagen designed the 2022 Atlas Cross Sport by eliminating the third row from the standard seven-passenger Atlas model, lowering the roofline by 2.3 inches for a sportier look, and shortening the SUV’s length by 5.2 inches. Despite these changes, the wheelbase remained the same, ensuring a spacious interior for five people. However, the reduced length and angled rear window decreased cargo space to 40.3 cubic feet behind the second-row seat and a maximum of 77.8 cubic feet. The SEL Premium R-Line trim, with its 21-inch machined-finish wheels, gave the Atlas Cross Sport a bold and upscale appearance, although other wheel options were less appealing. The interior featured various color combinations, but the use of hard, glossy plastic detracted from the overall quality impression.

In contrast, the 2023 Land Rover Defender outsold the Land Rover Discovery by more than four to one, thanks to its boxy design reminiscent of the old LR4. The Defender’s design was characterized by its square-jawed face, rectangular hood and doors, and abruptly chopped tail, giving it a classic truck look. Tasteful accents, such as the dome and faux-metal step plates on the hood, skylights along the roof sides, and body-color square separating the side glass, paid homage to the original 1980s Defender. The Defender was available in three body styles: 90 (short two-door), 110 (medium-length four-door), and 130 (extended-length four-door), offering unmatched flexibility and choice.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered two engine options. The standard engine was a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder producing 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, but it required premium fuel. The available 3.6-liter V6 engine delivered 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque without needing premium gas. The V6 also had a higher towing capacity of 5,000 pounds compared to the turbo-four’s 2,000 pounds. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive (FWD) standard and Volkswagen’s 4Motion all-wheel drive (AWD) system available. The V6 engine felt more energetic in the two-row Atlas Cross Sport, but the ride quality was harsh at lower speeds and too soft at higher speeds. The V6 engine averaged 19.2 mpg during testing, and the suspension tuning was not ideal for varying road conditions.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender excelled off-road, with impressive grip, wheel articulation, and clearance. The air suspension allowed the Defender to tackle almost any path, but most owners would not use its full off-road capabilities. On the road, the Defender’s performance was less impressive, with excessive body roll, slow and imprecise steering, and noticeable wind noise. The V8 engine, with 518 horsepower and 461 pound-feet of torque, provided thrilling acceleration, while the six-cylinder engine, part of a 48-volt mild hybrid powertrain, offered 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. The V8 returned poor fuel economy ratings of 14/19/16 mpg, but the six-cylinder engine was more efficient at 18/23/20 mpg. The turbocharged four-cylinder engine, with 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, was less satisfying for highway driving.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport shared its wheelbase, track width, and interior with the larger seven-passenger model, making it exceptionally roomy inside. It could comfortably accommodate five adults, with generous rear legroom. The test vehicle featured 10-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, heated rear outboard seats, a heated steering wheel, and a dual-zone automatic climate control system. The panoramic sunroof added to the spacious feel, and there was ample storage space throughout the cabin. The cargo area offered plenty of load-floor real estate, although the shorter length and lower roofline reduced overall cargo capacity compared to the seven-passenger model.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender offered unmatched seating configurations, with the Defender 90 seating six with a jump seat, the Defender 110 offering an optional third row, and the Defender 130 seating up to eight with a standard third row. The 130 model provided 77 cubic feet of cargo space with the third and second rows folded, while the 90 and 110 models offered varying cargo capacities depending on the seating configuration. The Defender featured large glass areas for excellent outward visibility, and the 130 model came with a panoramic moonroof and rear moonroof. Buyers could equip their Defenders with various off-road and convenience features, including a metal roof rack, console refrigerator, heated windshield, and more.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport SE came standard with Volkswagen Digital Cockpit, featuring an 8-inch display and a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and two USB-C ports. Higher trims upgraded to a 10.25-inch digital cockpit and an 8-inch touchscreen with additional features like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM with 360L, wireless smartphone charging, and more USB ports. The infotainment system offered access to three Car-Net connected service subscription plans, providing features like remote start, emergency assistance, and a WiFi hotspot. However, the user experience could be frustrating, and the standard voice recognition technology was not very effective. The SEL Premium R-Line test vehicle had a 12-speaker Fender premium sound system, which was excellent for the price point.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender featured two touchscreen infotainment systems running Pivi Pro software. The standard 10-inch screen was wide and integrated into the dashboard, while the optional 11.4-inch screen was larger and more legible. Both screens were quick and easy to operate, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a voice assistant, connected apps, and navigation as standard features. The base Defender 110 had manual fabric seats and a basic stereo, while higher trims offered heated power seats, a Meridian stereo, fog lights, surround sound, auto-dimming mirrors, and more. The X trim included air suspension, a locking rear differential, an upgraded Terrain Response 2 system, adaptive cruise control, a head-up display, and a rearview mirror with a camera display.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and an automatic post-collision braking system as standard features. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, and a low-speed automatic braking system. The SEL trim featured automatic high-beam LED headlights, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and IQ Drive, which included Travel Assist and Emergency Assist. The SEL Premium R-Line test vehicle also had a semi-autonomous Parking Steering Assistant system and an Area View 360-degree surround-view camera system. The Atlas Cross Sport received favorable crash-test ratings but did not earn the highest accolades from the IIHS or NHTSA.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender had not been rated by U.S. safety organizations but received five stars in Euro NCAP crash testing. It came with six airbags, which was fewer than expected, and lacked front knee airbags and rear side thorax airbags. Standard safety features included lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. Optional features included a digital instrument panel with full-screen maps, a head-up display, a 360-degree camera system, and automatic steering when reversing a trailer. However, a self-steering highway assist was not available.