2023 Lexus RX 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 reducing 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 Cross Sport’s shorter length and angled rear window reduced 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 2023 Lexus RX, on the other hand, was shorter in height, broader in width, and had a longer wheelbase compared to its predecessor, while maintaining the same overall length. This redesign offered more cargo space in the trunk, though still less than some rivals. The RX’s exterior featured a better-integrated spindle-style grille, upswept body sides, and a light-blade taillight design, giving it a modern yet familiar look. The interior was thoroughly modern, with fewer buttons and knobs, digital instrumentation, and a choice of 9.8-inch or 14-inch touchscreen displays. Quality levels were high, with options for NuLuxe artificial leather, genuine leather, and simulated suede.

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 producing 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. The V6 engine, which did not require premium fuel, had a 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 standard and VW’s 4Motion all-wheel drive system available. The V6 engine felt more energetic in the two-row Cross Sport, but the suspension tuning was criticized for being too firm at low speeds and too soft at higher speeds. The V6 4Motion powertrain returned 19.2 mpg during testing.

The 2023 Lexus RX 350 featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The RX 350 Luxury trim displayed occasional torque steer and excess body motion over undulating pavement, while the F Sport Handling trim, with its adaptive damping suspension, felt more secure and eliminated most unwanted bouncing and rolling. The RX 350 AWD accelerated to 60 mph in 7.2 seconds, and the FWD version in 7.5 seconds. Fuel economy was expected to average 25 mpg for the FWD and 24 mpg for the AWD, with actual results of 22.5 mpg and 21.8 mpg, respectively.

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 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, though reduced compared to the seven-passenger model, still provided plenty of load-floor real estate and additional storage underneath.

The 2023 Lexus RX 350 models offered comfortable seating, with the Luxury trim featuring semi-aniline premium leather upholstery, ten-way power-adjustable front seats, and a heated wood-and-leather steering wheel. The F Sport Handling trim had sportier black NuLuxe simulated leather seats with Dark Graphite trim and eight-way power-adjustable front seats. Both models provided exceptional comfort, though taller passengers might find headroom tight in the back seat. The RX offered useful storage areas and improved cargo space, with 29.6 cubic feet behind the back seat and 46.2 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down.

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 had a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit, an 8-inch touchscreen with proximity-sensing display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM with 360L, wireless smartphone charging, and more USB ports. The SEL Premium R-Line trim included a 12-speaker Fender premium sound system. However, the user experience with the infotainment system was often frustrating, and the standard voice recognition technology was less effective without the Car-Net WiFi hotspot plan.

The 2023 Lexus RX featured the new Lexus Interface infotainment system with a 9.8-inch or 14-inch touchscreen display, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, satellite radio, and various connected services plans. The Drive Connect plan, free for three years, included Destination Assist and Intelligent Assistant natural voice recognition. The system allowed for user profiles and streaming of Apple Music or Amazon Music. The 21-speaker Mark Levinson premium sound system was available, though it required some adjustment for optimal sound. The RX also offered digital instrumentation, Digital Latch door handles, a digital rearview mirror, and a color head-up 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. 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 trim added 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 Lexus RX came standard with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 (LSS+ 3.0), which included advanced driving assistance systems such as motorcycle detection, evasive steering assistance, intersection turn assistance with front cross-traffic alert, and curve speed-reduction function. New semi-autonomous driving technologies included Proactive Driving Assist, Traffic Jam Assist, and Advanced Park Assist. LSS+ 3.0 proved impressive during evaluation, though the adaptive cruise controls were unmarked in models with a head-up display, and the curve-speed reduction technology was not predictive. The driver monitoring system could be triggered if the driver’s forearm blocked the gauges.