The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, based on the boxy Atlas, adopts a more rakish style but loses the third row of seats in the process. Aside from that, the Cross Sport is almost similar to its sibling. The powertrain options are identical as well: A 235-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter engine comes standard, with a 276-hp 3.6-liter V-6 engine available as an option.

Both have an eight-speed automatic transmission and are available with front-wheel or all-wheel drive. Despite its shorter rear end and lower roofline, the Atlas Cross Sport has plenty of space for both passengers and luggage. However, while the Atlas Cross Sport is a well-built mid-size SUV, we think rivals like the Honda Passport and Jeep Grand Cherokee have more appeal.

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Volkswagen Atlas Cross Price

We’d go for the SE model and the Technology kit, which adds automatic climate control, faux-leather upholstery, passive entry, heated front seats, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, and an 8.0-inch touchscreen. We will also like the V-6 over the turbocharged four-cylinder. This raises the price by $1400. We’d probably go for the $1900 all-wheel-drive setup as well. Customers who plan to tow something with their Atlas Cross Sport can also consider the V-6 Towing kit.

Performance, Engine, And Transmission

Only the 3.6-liter V-6 with front-wheel drive has been tested out of the two powertrains available. It was marginally faster than a similarly fitted three-row Atlas, clocking in at 7.5 seconds to 60 mph. The 235-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, which we haven’t tested, accelerated the three-row VW to 60 mph in 7.1 seconds. 

We discovered during our test drive that the Cross Sport lacks the sporty driving characteristics that its fastback rear end suggests. The ride is also less refined than intended, with the wheels pounding over every flaw and pothole they encounter.

Fuel Efficiency

EPA fuel economy scores for the four-cylinder Atlas Cross Sport are 21 mpg city, 24 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined for the front-wheel-drive model, and 18, 23, and 20 mpg for the all-wheel-drive model, respectively. The V-6 is thirstier, with front-driver scores of 17 mpg traffic, 23 mpg highway, and 19 mpg combined.

The six-cylinder all-wheel-drive model has the same combined ranking, but it gets 16 mpg in the city and 22 on the highway. The front-drive V-6 Atlas Cross Sport averaged 25 mpg on our 200-mile highway loop, nearly 10% better than the EPA estimates.

Volkswagen Atlas Cross Interior

Despite a redesigned steering wheel and stitched door panels, those who are familiar with the three-row VW can find the Atlas Cross Sport’s interior to be very familiar. Adults should be able to find convenient seating in any of the SUV’s available rows of seats, but unlike the standard Atlas, Cross Sport’s second row is just a bench.

Infotainment

All Atlas Cross Sports come standard with a touchscreen infotainment system that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Navigation, as well as a reprogrammable gauge monitor and SiriusXM satellite radio, are all options. Remote starting and analytics are available via VW’s Car-Net networking software. In addition, a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot allows occupants to stay linked when on the go.

Volkswagen Atlas Cross Driver Assistance And Safety

The Atlas Cross Sport received a five-star overall crash-test ranking from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), but it did not receive the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s Top Safety Pick award (IIHS). All Atlas Cross Sports come standard with automatic emergency braking and blind-spot tracking, but you’ll have to upgrade to a higher trim level if you want more sophisticated driver-assistance features. The following are important safety features:

• Automatic emergency braking with forward-collision warning is normal.
• Blind-spot monitoring with rear-cross-traffic warning is normal.
• Adaptive cruise control with a semi-autonomous driving mode is available.

Coverage for Warranty And Maintenance

Volkswagen offers a four-year/50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, while most conventional brands start with a three-year/36,000-mile warranty. Other warranties, which go for five or even ten years, lag behind the powertrain warranty. VW does cover the first two years of scheduled repairs as a consolation.

• A four-year or 50,000-mile limited warranty is included.
• A four-year or 50,000-mile powertrain warranty is included.
• Maintenance is free for the first two years or 20,000 miles.

Conclusion

The Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, now in its second year, is part of the automaker’s growing lineup of crossover SUVs. As you would expect, the Atlas Cross Sport is related to the daily Atlas. The key distinction is in size: the Atlas is longer and has three rows of seating, while the Cross Sport is shorter and lacks the third row. With its coupe-like sloping rear roofline, it’s even more fashionable. The Atlas Cross Sport is one of the more upscale offerings in its class, with an emphasis on interior space and comfort, as well as splashy technology features on some trims. It can’t go off-road as far as the Honda Passport, Jeep Grand Cherokee, or Subaru Outback.

FAQs Of Volkswagen Atlas Cross

Is the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport a decent car to drive?

Ans: VW essentially took a standard Atlas, removed the third-row bench, and introduced a more svelte roofline. The Cross Sport’s acceleration isn’t particularly impressive, but it’s a good choice if you want a five-seat SUV with plenty of room.

Is Atlas Cross Sport the same size as Atlas?

Ans: The Atlas is 5.2 inches longer than the Atlas Cross Sport, making it the larger of the two. When it comes to freight, both vehicles can comfortably accommodate large items, with the Atlas Cross Sport having 19 cubic feet more than the Atlas when all rear seats are folded.

Is premium gas needed for the VW Atlas?

Ans: For the VW Atlas, unleaded gasoline is recommended. This makes it simple and inexpensive to fill up. In between gas stops, it’s also planned to cover a lot of land. You’ll make fewer trips to the gas station thanks to a 19.5-gallon gas tank and a pair of fuel-efficient powertrains.

Is it true that Volkswagens have a lot of issues?

Ans: According to Consumer Reports, Volkswagen’s high-volume four- and five-cylinder engines that power Passats, Jettas, and other VW products have been plagued with powertrain reliability issues for most of the last decade.

Is a Volkswagen a high-end vehicle?

Ans: Though Volkswagen is not widely regarded as a luxury brand, it does produce vehicles with near-luxury interiors. Volkswagen doesn’t charge premium rates, but it does lavish love and care on its cars, which we believe makes them feel beautiful in a way that only a VW can.

Is Volkswagen a superior brand to Audi?

Ans: Given that Audi is advertised as a high-performance brand, it should come as no surprise that Audi vehicles outperform VW vehicles in general. We calculated a performance score of 8.6 for Audi and 8.2 for Volkswagen by averaging the performance scores of both brands’ 2017 lineups.

Is Volkswagen a superior brand to BMW?

Ans: Both are going to need a lot of work, so the BMW is the better choice. Unless it’s a GTI or other special version, the BMW is more durable and easier to live with than the VW, which, in addition to being made with low-cost components, is also likely assembled in Mexico.

What else comes close to the VW Atlas?

Ans: The Chevy Tahoe, Honda Pilot, and Toyota Sequoia are all competitors. Each of these competitors has gained a well-deserved reputation as one of the best family cars, but the Volkswagen Atlas has entered the world of family SUVs with its own set of advantages.

Which is better: VW Atlas vs Toyota Highlander?

Ans: The Toyota Highlander has more seating space than the Volkswagen Atlas, making it a better option for those who often transport others. The Toyota Highlander has less cargo space than the Volkswagen Atlas, which is fine if you don’t need to transport a large number of items in a single journey.

Is the VW Atlas safe to drive in the snow?

Ans: The Atlas, which was equipped with the most up-to-date safety features, felt secure in my hands. It also had adaptive cruise control, blind-spot assist, and various drive modes, including Snow, in addition to ABS.