2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport 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 offered various color combinations, but the use of hard, glossy plastic detracted from the overall quality impression.

In contrast, the 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport emphasized a "modernist" and "reductive" design, focusing on clean and simple lines. The test vehicle arrived in Eiger Gray paint with silver 23-inch wheels and a Black Exterior Pack, exuding understated luxury. Inside, the Deep Garnet over Ebony theme with aluminum and shiny black trim added to the luxurious feel. The Range Rover Sport featured premium LED headlights, flush-mounted door handles, and surface LED technology for the taillights. The interior boasted Windsor leather upholstery and Ultrafabrics, contributing to a high-tech and sustainable cabin environment. The SE Dynamic P400 test vehicle included numerous upgrades, bringing the MSRP to $98,420.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered two engine options: a standard turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and an available 3.6-liter V6 producing 276 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque. The V6 engine, paired with VW’s 4Motion AWD system, provided a more satisfying driving experience, despite its aging design and occasional lack of refinement. The V6 also offered a 5,000-pound towing capacity, compared to the turbo-four’s 2,000 pounds. However, the ride quality was inconsistent, with the suspension feeling too harsh at low speeds and too soft at higher speeds. The Atlas Cross Sport excelled in highway driving but struggled with urban and suburban ride quality.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport aimed to balance refinement, comfort, and driver-focused engagement. The SE and SE Dynamic models featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid technology, producing 355 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque in the SE P360 and 395 hp and 406 lb-ft in the SE Dynamic P400. The Autobiography P440e offered a plug-in hybrid drivetrain with 434 hp and 406 lb-ft, while early-build P530 models included a 523-hp twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8. The Range Rover Sport excelled in off-road capabilities, with features like Terrain Response, All Terrain Progress Control, and a maximum ground clearance of 11.1 inches. However, it fell short in handling tight curves and corners, with the steering lacking involvement and the suspension exhibiting too much roll.

The 2022 Volkswagen 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 featured 10-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and a dual-zone automatic climate control system. The panoramic sunroof added to the spacious feel, and the cargo area provided ample load-floor real estate, despite the reduced cargo space compared to the seven-passenger model.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport maintained the Range Rover Command Driving Position, offering a tall, airy feel for the driver. The air suspension could kneel for easier entry and exit, and the front seats were comfortable with 20-way power adjustments, heating, and ventilation. However, the rear seat was less hospitable, with limited legroom and hard front seatback panels. The cargo area offered 31.9 cubic feet of space, expandable to 53 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. The test vehicle included a full-size spare, reducing under-floor storage space.

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, and Android Auto. Higher trims upgraded to a 10.25-inch digital cockpit and an 8-inch touchscreen with additional features like wireless smartphone charging and SiriusXM with 360L. The SEL Premium R-Line test vehicle included a 12-speaker Fender premium sound system, which delivered excellent audio quality.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport featured a 13.7-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with haptic feedback. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and SiriusXM satellite radio. However, the Pivi Pro infotainment system was often confusing and frustrating to use. The Range Rover Sport offered impressive Meridian audio systems with up to 29 speakers and 1,430 watts of power, along with a next-generation Active Noise Cancellation system.

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. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, and a low-speed automatic braking system. The SEL trim featured additional safety technologies like lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and IQ Drive, which included Travel Assist and Emergency Assist. 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 Range Rover Sport came equipped with advanced driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Additional features included automatic high-beam headlights, a driver monitoring system, front and rear parking sensors, and a surround-view camera system with ClearSight Ground View. Remote Park Assist was also available, allowing the SUV to park itself while the driver directed it using a smartphone app. However, the adaptive cruise control and steering assist systems were not as smooth or reliable as expected.