2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport Review

　　

2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport Review

byRyan ZumMallenContributor

　　Ryan ZumMallen has worked in the automotive industry since 2012. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Ryan has also contributed to Road & Track, Autoweek, Trucks.com and more. In 2019, Ryan published his first book, Slow Car Fast, on the millennial generation and its unique take on modern car culture.

　　Now in its second year of existence, the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport is part of the automaker's growing portfolio of crossover SUVs. The Atlas Cross Sport is, as you can probably guess, related to the regular Atlas. The main difference between them is size: The Atlas is longer and has three rows of seating, while the Cross Sport is shorter and doesn't have a third row. It's also more stylish with its coupe-like sloping rear roofline.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport S 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$211/mo  for Atlas Cross Sport S

　　Atlas Cross Sport S

　　S 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $30,855 MSRPS 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $32,755 MSRPSE 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $34,205 MSRPSE 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $36,105 MSRPSE w/Technology 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $36,245 MSRPSE w/Technology 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 8A) - $37,645 MSRPSE w/Technology 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $38,145 MSRPSE w/Technology 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 8A) - $40,095 MSRPSE w/Technology R-Line 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 8A) (Most Popular) - $39,045 MSRPSE w/Technology R-Line 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 8A) - $41,495 MSRPSEL 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 8A) - $41,625 MSRPSEL 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $41,725 MSRPSEL 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 8A) - $43,525 MSRPSEL R-Line 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 8A) - $43,325 MSRPSEL R-Line 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 8A) - $45,225 MSRPSEL Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $46,525 MSRPSEL Premium 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 8A) - $48,325 MSRPSEL Premium R-Line 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 8A) - $50,025 MSRP

　　vs

　　$229/mo

　　Avg. Large SUV

　　With a focus on interior space and comfort, plus an eye toward splashy technology features on some trims, the Atlas Cross Sport is one of the more upscale offerings in its class. It won't do as much off-roading as the Honda Passport, Grand Cherokee and Subaru Outback. Instead, it's at home on tight urban streets or long sweeping roads thanks to a comfortable ride and impressive responsiveness when it comes to steering and handling. Interested? Check out the categories of our Expert Review to learn more.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Good

　　7.9

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.0/10

　　How does the Atlas Cross Sport drive? The Cross Sport is a pleasant-driving midsize SUV. Its surprisingly agile handling and accurate steering belie the size of this large people-mover. Our test model had the V6 engine. It's responsive and it seems pretty strong at low speeds but starts to get winded at highway speeds. In our testing, our Cross Sport needed 8.4 seconds to go from 0 to 60 mph, which is more than a second slower than the Honda Passport. Braking performance in the Cross Sport, however, is smooth and confident.

　　

Comfort

7.5/10

　　How comfortable is the Atlas Cross Sport? The Atlas Cross Sport trades a bit of comfort for its agility. It isn't rough-riding, but there are cushier SUVs in this class. On the other hand, it does feel more buttoned-down at higher cruise speeds. The front seats are decently comfortable but don't have a whole lot of extra adjustability or bolstering. The rear seatbacks recline a generous amount, which can help your rear passengers get comfortable on long trips.

　　The climate control system works effectively but is dual-zone only, so the rear passengers can't control what comes out of their vents. Wind and road noise on the highway is minimal, so you and your passengers can hold a conversation without much trouble.

　　

Interior

8.5/10

　　How’s the interior? This is where the Atlas Cross Sport rises above the fold. A perfect step-in height with wide squared-off doors makes climbing in and out effortless. Once inside, you'll be impressed by the roomy interior. Dimensionally, the Honda Passport and Cross Sport are pretty comparable, but the Atlas feels just incrementally roomier despite its slightly coupe-like rear roofline.

　　Upfront, the user interface looks a bit more sophisticated than most of the other class offerings yet remains pretty simple to use. Even the instrument cluster menu is simple to navigate and functionally useful. There's plenty of seat and steering-wheel adjustment range to suit a wide variety of drivers. The view outward is pretty expansive all around. The big side mirrors are good for giving you a clear view back, but their bulky housings can obstruct your vision a little when you need to make a turn. The rear window is a bit smaller than the one in the regular Atlas.

　　

Technology

7.5/10

　　How’s the tech? The base audio system in our midtrim SE w/Technology Atlas produced decent sound quality. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration comes standard. Cross Sports with the 8-inch screen also have wireless capability, which means you can activate these integration systems without having to use a USB cord.

　　The Atlas Cross Sport comes with many advanced driver assist aids. Most work quite well, from the well-tuned adaptive cruise control that can slow to a complete stop to useful front and rear parking sensors. But we found the blind-spot monitoring system overly conservative, warning us of vehicles that were outside the impact zone.

　　

Storage

8.0/10

　　How’s the storage? Cargo space behind the rear seats is a big 40.3 cubic feet, which is just shy of the Honda Passport's 41.2 cubic feet. We love all the space. But it lacks any helpful means for securing bags or cargo, and consequently this wide and flat area can end up being a roller derby for your groceries. Cargo liftover height is also a bit high. The 60/40-split folding seats lie mostly flat. The seatback releases are only accessible from the rear seating area and not from the cargo area.

　　The cupholders up front can accommodate 32-ounce bottles, and they have a good anti-tip design so smaller drinks won't go flopping around. The overall storage isn't quite as clever as Honda's, but it's better than most others. Got small kids? There's plenty of space for any child safety seat, though the anchors are surprisingly difficult to access behind the slits in the seatback. Unlike the Passport, there are only two sets of anchors.

　　The Atlas can tow a maximum of 5,000 pounds when properly equipped, which is an average amount for a midsize crossover SUV.

　　

Fuel Economy

6.5/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? The EPA estimates the all-wheel-drive Atlas Cross Sport gets 19 mpg in combined city/highway driving, which is thirstier than most V6 competitors. Our test vehicle managed 22.1 mpg on our highway-heavy 115-mile evaluation route, so at least it seems the EPA's numbers are realistic. You can get a turbocharged four-cylinder in the Atlas, but its fuel economy is also subpar relative to rivals.

　　

Value

7.0/10

　　Is the Atlas Cross Sport a good value? The front of the cabin looks upscale in certain areas thanks to trim such as faux wood trim and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearshift. But other areas have really cheap-looking textured black plastic. It's not nearly as luxury-looking inside as something like the Honda Passport.

　　The Atlas Cross Sport is also a bit more expensive than many of its rivals. Some players such as the Honda Passport come standard with a V6 engine, while the Hyundai Santa Fe and Subaru Outback offer more features with their upgraded engines for the same price as the Cross Sport.

　　But VW does provide two years/20,000 miles of free scheduled maintenance, something most manufacturers in this class don't offer. The warranty is four years/50,000 miles for both basic and powertrain coverage.

　　

Wildcard

8.5/10

　　Volkswagen set out to make a slightly sleeker but still chiseled mass of an SUV, and it achieved that with the Atlas Cross Sport. It makes the Honda Passport look a bit doofy and the Chevrolet Blazer overstyled. It's a happy balance between the two. Is the Atlas Cross Sport fun to drive? Not really, but it does handle and stick to the road better than anything in the class.

　　

Which Atlas Cross Sport does zzdcar recommend?

While the tech-heavy higher trims are tempting, the SE with Technology model is our choice. Volkswagen packaged several desirable features including adaptive cruise control and parking sensors with pricing that's more to our liking for a midsize crossover. We would stick with the 2.0-liter turbo engine instead of the more costly V6 — that still leaves room to add all-wheel drive or a panoramic sunroof if you so choose.

　　

2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport models

The Atlas Cross Sport is a midsize crossover SUV with seating for up to five passengers. It comes in your choice of eight trim levels: S, SE, SE with Technology, SE with Technology R-Line, SEL, SEL R-Line, SEL Premium and SEL Premium R-Line. It's a somewhat confusing lineup so make sure you read through our descriptions below to help you understand what you're getting.

　　The Cross Sport offers two available engines: a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder (235 horsepower, 258 lb-ft of torque) and a 3.6-liter V6 (276 hp, 266 lb-ft). Both are mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is available depending on the trim.

　　S

　　The base Atlas Cross Sport starts off with:

　　LED headlights Power-adjustable, heated side mirrors Roof rails 18-inch alloy wheels 6.5-inch touchscreen Six-speaker sound system App-Connect (Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration) Two USB ports VW's Car-Net remote servicesStandard safety features on all Atlas Cross Sport models include:

　　Forward collision mitigation with pedestrian detection (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing)SE

　　Gains upgrades to technology and comfort such as:

　　Keyless entry and push-button start Power liftgate Simulated leather upholstery 8-inch touchscreen Wireless connectivity for App-Connect Five USB ports Wireless charging pad Voice-activated controls Dual-zone automatic climate control Power-adjustable driver's seat Heated front seatsSE with Technology

　　This trim elevates several previous features and introduces some new ones:

　　V6 engine becomes available 20-inch aluminum-alloy wheels Remote start Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Cross Sport and the car in front) 115-volt household-style power outlet Power liftgate with hands-free operation Front and rear parking sensors Trailer hitch (optional on V6 FWD models, standard on V6 AWD)SE with Technology R-Line

　　The first R-Line trim is notable mostly for its sporty design and includes the following:

　　V6 engine comes standard Unique exterior stylingSEL

　　A more tech-savvy trim level that makes the Atlas Cross Sport a borderline luxury vehicle:

　　Adaptive front lighting (provides better illumination in curves) Panoramic sunroof Ambient interior lighting Heated steering wheel Digital instrument display Integrated navigation system Power-adjustable front passenger seat Trailer hitch (standard on V6 models)The SEL also comes with more advanced safety features, including:

　　Lane keeping assist (steers the Atlas Cross Sport back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker) Blind-spot intervention (automatically steers the car back into its lane if you try to change lanes while a car is in the vehicle's blind spot) Road sign display (reads road signs such as speed limits and displays them to the driver)SEL R-Line

　　Takes the features from the SEL and adds R-Line design:

　　R-Line exterior styling 21-inch alloy wheelsSEL Premium

　　Includes several optional features as standard and adds new ones too:

　　Standard all-wheel drive 20-inch wheels from SEL Power-folding side mirrors with puddle lights 12-speaker Fender sound system Leather upholstery Ventilated front seats Heated rear seats Rear side window sunshades Leather upholstery Park assist (automatic steering system allowing the Atlas Cross Sport to fit into tight parallel parking spaces) Surround-view camera (gives you a top-down view of the Atlas Cross Sport and its surroundings for tight parking situations)SEL Premium R-Line

　　The top-of-the-line Atlas Cross Sport is fully loaded:

　　V6 engine and all-wheel drive are standard 21-inch wheels from SEL R-Line

　　

2021 Atlas Cross Sport Highlights

Trim: SSESE w/TechnologySE w/Technology R-LineSELSEL R-LineSEL PremiumSEL Premium R-LineS

　　

Base MSRP	$30,855
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	22 MPG
Cost to Drive	$211/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	40.3 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles