2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport is a smaller, sleeker, somewhat sportier version of the 3-row Atlas. For those satisfied with seating for five and a little less cargo space, the Atlas Cross Sport is a wonderful alternative to the bigger SUV. Its driving experience is about the same, and it bristles with advanced technology. Practicality, comfort, and a user-friendly infotainment system are all rolled into one good-looking package.

We’ve spent hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of midsize SUVs, including the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport.

Volkswagen gave the Atlas Cross Sport a sprucing up for 2024; therefore, updates and changes for 2025 are minimal. Having said that, VW did add the new SEL R-Line Black grade this model year. It’s just as it sounds: blacked-out elements like wheels and accents, as well as a leather-wrapped steering wheel and stainless-steel pedal caps. The SEL Premium R-Line gains upgrades like 4-way lumbar support and massage function for the front seats. Wireless phone charging is now standard across all trims. VW expanded the Atlas Cross Sport’s color palette with Mountain Lake Blue and Avocado Green.

Volkswagen separates the Atlas Cross Sport into several trim levels: SE, SE w/Technology, SEL, SEL R-Line Black, and SEL Premium R-Line.

Standard on all SEL models, all-wheel drive (AWD)  is a $1,900 premium on the two SE trims.

Among Atlas Cross Sport trims, the top seller by far is the SEL R-Line. To haul more people, you can step up to the 3-row Atlas. However, if you can downsize a bit and want to save about $10,000, we recommend the VW Tiguan.

The Atlas Cross Sport pricing is on par with other midsize 2-row SUVs like the Chevy Blazer and Nissan Murano, while the Honda Passport begins higher.

Before buying a VW Atlas Cross Sport, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should really pay. The Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport’s resale value is about average for the segment. Remember, the better a vehicle retains its value, the more you’ll get when you sell it or trade it in, which means more money to put down on your next vehicle.

We’re satisfied with the confident power delivery and smooth refinement of the Atlas Cross Sport’s 4-cylinder turbo engine. Even though it’s one of the largest vehicles in its class, the Atlas Cross Sport still manages to deliver some of the same qualities that have long made Volkswagen vehicles so uniquely satisfying to pilot.

We found the Atlas Cross Sport to be an easy SUV to drive, with the highway ride comfort and cabin noise on par for the segment. We had a chance to drive the current Atlas Cross Sport back-to-back with the 3-row Atlas and noticed that the Cross Sport variant is slightly easier to park because the overall length is about 5 inches shorter. Other than that, the driving character of these two SUVs is nearly identical.

Fuel Economy

With front-wheel drive, the Atlas Cross Sport delivers up to 23 mpg in mixed city-and-highway driving (20 city/26 highway). All-wheel-drive variants earn up to 21 mpg combined (19 city/26 highway).

In addition to a more upscale look and feel, the Atlas Cross Sport’s cabin is also packed with desirable standard features like heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, wireless phone charging, and a digital gauge cluster.

A sloping roofline on SUV “coupes” typically compromises cargo space, but the Atlas Cross Sport delivers a sporty profile with a generous cargo hold. We were also impressed with the rear seat headroom and legroom, helping make this midsize SUV as practical as it is eye-catching.

With more than 40 inches of rear-seat legroom, the Atlas Cross Sport outshines most of its 2-row midsize competitors. Its 77.6 cubic feet of total cargo capacity is also above average.

The Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport has a sportier look than the 3-row Atlas with a sloping roofline, unique rear light signature, aggressive rear diffuser, and a gloss black front grille. Despite being somewhat smaller than the Atlas, the Atlas Cross Sport is on the bigger side of the midsize 2-row SUV class.

Sporty styling
Subjective though it may be, we think the Atlas Cross Sport stands out with sporty styling, including a sleek roofline, a rear diffuser, and tasteful gloss black trim.

Turbo engine
A 269-hp turbocharged 4-cylinder engine delivers the thrust. We found it responsive and refined.

12-inch infotainment system
A 12-inch touchscreen anchors the user-friendly infotainment system with wireless smartphone connectivity and four standard USB-C ports.

Digital Cockpit Pro
We love to see the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit Pro come standard in the Atlas Cross Sport. This customizable 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster can show vehicle data, music info, navigation maps, and much more.

Standard comfort features
Standard features make the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport a more comfortable SUV. Among them are ventilated front seats, 3-zone automatic climate control, and a heated steering wheel.

IQ.DRIVE
IQ.DRIVE driver assistance tech features add safety and convenience to the Atlas Cross Sport. It includes adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-centering, and more.

A 269-horsepower turbocharged 4-cylinder engine matched with an 8-speed automatic transmission collude to propel the Atlas Cross Sport. This makes the Atlas Cross Sport pony count about the same as the Honda Passport (280) and more than that of the base engine in the Chevrolet Blazer (228).  This mill also generates 273 lb-ft of torque. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard in SE models, with VW’s 4Motion all-wheel drive optional in the SEs and standard in SEL trims.

4-Year/50,000-Mile Warranty

The Atlas Cross Sport is covered by a 4-year/50,000-mile limited bumper-to-bumper warranty and powertrain warranty. That’s longer than most rivals’ bumper-to-bumper warranties but shorter than competing powertrain warranties. Volkswagen also includes complimentary maintenance for two years or up to 20,000 miles.

Safety

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) named the Atlas Cross Sport to its Top Safety Pick list for 2024, while the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the Atlas Cross Sport with its highest overall score of 5-Stars.