2023 Volvo XC90 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 presence of hard, glossy plastic and unlined storage areas detracted from the overall quality impression.

In contrast, the 2023 Volvo XC90 showcased a significant evolution from Volvo’s earlier, boxy designs. The XC90’s front end appeared stout and solid without being overly flashy, and the “Thor’s Hammer” headlights added a modern touch. The test vehicle, an AWD Ultimate trim, featured 21-inch wheels and Platinum Gray paint with brown undertones, giving it a rich and sophisticated look. Inside, the XC90’s design was elegant, with two-tone leather on the steering wheel, metal Bowers and Wilkins speaker covers, an Orrefors crystal shift knob, and luxurious Nappa leather upholstery. The minimalist interior design included wood deco inlays, contributing to a clean and beautiful look.

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, and VW’s 4Motion AWD system was available. The V6 engine felt more energetic in the two-row Cross Sport, but the suspension tuning was inconsistent, leading to a harsh ride on urban roads and a too-soft feel on winding roads. The Cross Sport excelled in highway driving, where the ride quality was more agreeable.

For the 2023 model year, Volvo introduced the B5 and B6 engines in the XC90, both featuring mild-hybrid technology. The B5 engine produced 247 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, while the B6 engine, which our test car had, delivered 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. The mild-hybrid system improved fuel efficiency and smoothness, although the gains were minimal. The XC90’s driving experience was enjoyable, with quick acceleration, a responsive eight-speed automatic transmission, and excellent brakes. The XC90 handled well for its size, with minimal body roll and good insulation from road and wind noise. The mild-hybrid system’s auto stop-start technology was almost imperceptible, enhancing the overall driving experience.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport shared its wheelbase and track width with the larger seven-passenger model, resulting in an exceptionally roomy interior. 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. A 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 offered plenty of space for luggage and other items.

The 2023 Volvo XC90’s interior was elegant but had some space and storage limitations. The front seats were comfortable, but there was a lack of dedicated storage for smaller items, such as cell phones. The second row was reasonably spacious, but adjusting the seats was challenging. The XC90 came standard with a second-row bench seat for seven-passenger seating, but opting for captain’s chairs required an upgrade to the B6 engine and an additional cost. The third row was difficult to access and offered limited space. With the third row in place, the XC90 provided 12.5 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded and 65.5 cubic feet with all rear seats folded.

The base 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport SE came 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 additional features, wireless smartphone charging, and more USB ports. The upgraded infotainment system offered access to Car-Net connected service subscription plans, including remote start, emergency assistance, and a WiFi hotspot. However, the user experience could be frustrating, and the standard voice recognition technology was limited without the Car-Net WiFi hotspot plan. The SEL Premium R-Line trim included a 12-speaker Fender premium sound system, which was highly praised.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 featured a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment display running Google OS, with Google Maps, Spotify, NPR, and Google Assistant as standard features. The 12.3-inch driver information display also showed Google Maps. The natural-language recognition provided by Google Assistant enhanced the user experience, and owners could issue commands to the XC90 via Google Home devices. However, many key functions were controlled through the touchscreen interface, which could be frustrating. The minimalist design meant fewer physical buttons, requiring more interaction with the screen for basic functions.

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 Volvo XC90 was well-regarded for its safety features, earning a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS. The XC90 came standard with adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and Pilot Assist, which helped maintain distance from the car ahead and provided gentle steering assistance. These safety technologies were standard on all 2023 XC90 models.