INFINITI QX60 vs Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

The 2022 INFINITI QX60 underwent a comprehensive redesign, marking the beginning of its second generation. This transformation included a striking new exterior with a prominent grille, slim LED headlights, and a floating roof design, especially pronounced in the Autograph trim with its contrasting black roof. The interior was equally impressive, featuring a spacious and open feel, accentuated by horizontal lines and layers on the dash. The Autograph trim boasted quilted leather upholstery on both the seats and dash, complemented by a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment display and a crisp TFT instrument panel. The QX60 models, crafted in Tennessee, showcased high craftsmanship and build quality, maintaining Infiniti's reputation for luxury and attention to detail.

In contrast, the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered a bold and sporty appearance, particularly in the SEL Premium R-Line trim with its 21-inch machined-finish wheels. By removing the third row and lowering the roofline, Volkswagen created a more rakish and upscale look. The interior was spacious, accommodating five adults comfortably, with features like 10-way power-adjustable front seats, heated rear seats, and a panoramic sunroof enhancing the sense of space. However, the use of hard, glossy plastics in the interior detracted from the overall quality feel. Despite this, the Atlas Cross Sport provided ample storage and cargo space, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2022 INFINITI QX60 featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. This setup offered a superior driving experience compared to the previous CVT, with smooth and crisp shifts. The QX60's suspension, with MacPherson struts in the front and an independent multilink setup in the rear, provided a smooth and serene ride, although it wasn't designed for aggressive cornering. Fuel economy was respectable, with FWD models achieving 21 mpg city/26 mpg highway/23 mpg combined, and AWD models slightly lower. The QX60 excelled on highways and suburban streets, offering comfort and space for passengers.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport came with two engine options: a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 235 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, and a 3.6-liter V6 producing 276 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque. The V6, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and available 4Motion AWD, offered better towing capacity and a more satisfying driving experience, despite its lower fuel economy of 20 mpg combined. The Atlas Cross Sport's suspension, however, was a mixed bag, with a harsh ride at lower speeds and a too-soft feel at higher speeds. The V6 engine performed well on highways, but the ride quality was inconsistent, and road noise was more intrusive than expected.

The 2022 INFINITI QX60 offered a versatile and spacious interior, with three rows of seating and ample storage options. The second-row seats could slide and fold to provide easy access to the third row, which was roomy enough for adults. Cargo space was generous, with 14.5 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 41.6 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 75.4 cubic feet with both rows down. The QX60 also had a towing capacity of up to 6,000 pounds with the optional towing package.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, while lacking a third row, provided exceptional interior space for five passengers, with generous rear legroom and numerous storage compartments. The cargo area was spacious, with deep wells for additional storage, although the shorter length and lower roofline reduced overall cargo capacity compared to the seven-passenger model. The Atlas Cross Sport's interior was practical and comfortable, but the lack of lining in storage areas could lead to rattling and noise.

The 2022 INFINITI QX60 was equipped with a 12.3-inch InTouch Interactive display, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto connectivity. A WiFi hotspot, multiple USB ports, and a wireless charging pad were available, along with a navigation system and a simplified version of Alexa for voice commands. The Autograph trim featured a 10.8-inch head-up display and a smart rearview mirror, enhancing safety and convenience. The audio system ranged from a nine-speaker setup in lower trims to a 17-speaker Bose Performance series in higher trims.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport featured the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit, with an 8-inch display in the base SE trim and a 10.25-inch version in higher trims. The infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, and wireless smartphone charging. Car-Net connected services offered remote start, emergency assistance, and a WiFi hotspot, although the user experience could be frustrating. The SEL Premium R-Line trim boasted a 12-speaker Fender premium sound system, delivering excellent audio quality.

The 2022 INFINITI QX60 came with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including multiple airbags, LATCH connectors, and advanced driver assistance systems like forward emergency braking, predictive forward-collision warning, and blind-spot warning. ProPilot Assist was standard on all trims except Pure, offering features like lane-departure warning and an around-view monitor camera system. While crash-test ratings were not available, the previous generation received high marks, suggesting similar performance for the 2022 model.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered a range of safety features, with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring standard across all trims. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and IQ Drive, which included Travel Assist and Emergency Assist. The SEL Premium R-Line trim featured a Parking Steering Assistant and a 360-degree camera system. While crash-test ratings were decent, they did not achieve the highest accolades from safety organizations.