2023 Lincoln Aviator 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 Cross Sport’s 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 Atlas Cross Sport’s bold, sporty, and upscale appearance was particularly striking in the SEL Premium R-Line trim with 21-inch machined-finish wheels. However, other wheel options were less appealing, with the base SE trim’s 18-inch alloy wheels looking too small. The interior offered various color combinations, all of which conveyed an upscale appearance, but the use of hard, glossy plastic detracted from the overall quality impression. The MSRP for the Atlas Cross Sport SEL Premium R-Line was $52,495, slightly less than the standard Atlas SEL Premium R-Line.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator offered a choice of powertrains, starting with a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and available in rear-wheel drive (RWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). The Aviator Grand Touring and Black Label Grand Touring models featured a plug-in hybrid system combining the twin-turbo V6 with a 75-kilowatt electric motor and a 13.6-kilowatt-hour battery pack, providing standard AWD.

The Aviator’s price ranged from $53,340 to $89,280, with our top-of-the-line Black Label Grand Touring model priced at $91,225. The Aviator’s design was appealing, especially with the Lincoln Embrace lighting sequence and electric, light-touch door handles. Inside, the Black Label Grand Touring featured luxurious materials and a rich caramel-hued leather interior. However, some chrome detailing and the key fob felt cheap. The Aviator’s cabin was a mix of high-end materials and some less impressive elements, but overall, it aimed to provide a luxurious experience.

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 engine, which did not require premium fuel, provided a more satisfying driving experience and a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive (FWD) standard and VW’s 4Motion AWD system available.

The Atlas Cross Sport SEL Premium R-Line we tested came with the V6 engine and 4Motion AWD. Despite its weight, the V6 felt more energetic in the two-row version. However, the V6 was aging, and the drivetrain occasionally lacked refinement. We averaged 19.2 mpg during our testing. The ride quality was harsh at lower speeds, but the Cross Sport shined on the highway. The suspension tuning felt backward, being too soft when firmness was needed and too firm when compliance was preferable. The Cross Sport’s off-road capabilities were limited by its ground clearance and large, low-profile tires.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring, a plug-in hybrid, generated an impressive 494 horsepower and 630 pound-feet of torque. The EPA estimated 21 miles of electric driving range and 23 mpg combined in hybrid mode. The Aviator offered various driving modes, including Pure EV, Preserve EV, Conserve, Normal, Excite, Slippery, Deep Conditions, and Tow/Haul.

During our evaluation, the Aviator Grand Touring covered 22.3 miles on electric power alone, with a fuel economy equivalent to 163.4 mpg. Over a longer drive, it averaged 24.3 mpg. The Aviator’s powertrain was powerful but sometimes unpredictable, with inconsistent brake pedal behavior. The Aviator’s Dynamic Handling Package with adaptive-damping Active Glide suspension managed the SUV’s weight well, providing a smooth and quiet ride. However, the Aviator wasn’t particularly fun to drive, even in the Excite mode, and the steering felt heavy and numb.

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. Our 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 provided additional comfort.

The Atlas Cross Sport offered ample storage space, though many storage areas lacked rubber or fabric lining, leading to potential rattling and scraping noises. The cargo area was generous, 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 accommodate full-size suitcases and other items.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator prioritized comfort with features like a four-zone automatic climate control system, a heated power tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel, and automatic heated and ventilated front and second-row seats. The massaging, 30-way Perfect Position front seats were highly adjustable and comfortable, while the second-row captain’s chairs were roomy and supportive.

However, the Aviator’s third-row seat was not suitable for adults, with limited kneeroom and legroom. The third-row seats were best folded down to maximize cargo space, which measured 18.3 cubic feet with the seats up, 41.8 cubic feet with the seats folded, and 77.7 cubic feet in total.

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 smartphone charging and SiriusXM with 360L satellite radio.

The upgraded 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, with issues related to touchscreen interaction and voice recognition. The 12-speaker Fender premium sound system in our test vehicle was impressive for the price point.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator Black Label Grand Touring was loaded with technology, including a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Alexa integration, Lincoln Connect, SiriusXM satellite radio, and navigation. However, it ran on the outdated Sync 3 software, which struggled with voice recognition and point-of-interest searches.

The Aviator’s 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D audio system was outstanding, and the warning chimes recorded by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra added a unique touch. The Phone As A Key digital key system allowed for keyless entry and start, while the digital instrumentation and head-up display were user-friendly. The front and rear parking sensors and surround-view camera system were helpful, though the Active Parking Assist 2.0 system was not tested.

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 features like adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, and lane-keeping assist. The IQ Drive system included Travel Assist and Emergency Assist, enhancing safety and convenience.

Our SEL Premium R-Line test vehicle featured a semi-autonomous Parking Steering Assistant and an Area View 360-degree camera system. Travel Assist was generally accurate but occasionally too obvious in its steering inputs. The Lane Assist system sometimes misinterpreted road construction scars as lane markings, causing unnecessary course corrections. The Atlas Cross Sport received favorable crash-test ratings but did not earn the highest accolades from the IIHS or NHTSA.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator came with Co-Pilot360 1.5, Co-Pilot360 1.5 Plus, and Co-Pilot360 2.0 driver aids, depending on the trim level. Our test vehicle included features like adaptive cruise control, road-sign recognition, pedestrian detection, and forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking. It also had blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, and evasive steering assist.

The Aviator’s driver assistance tech performed well on straight highways with light traffic but struggled in denser traffic and wider freeways. The steering wheel controls for these features were unnecessarily complicated. The standard Aviator received a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though the Grand Touring model was not specifically rated.