Used 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport is built on the same strong foundation as the 3-row Volkswagen Atlas, but it’s a 2-row crossover SUV with a coupe-inspired roofline and generally sportier styling. It has a larger cargo area than the 3-row Atlas, and it has significantly more legroom in its second row. At the same time, the Atlas Cross Sport is lighter and a bit more compact, helping to give it sportier manners.

With its choice of engines and its wide range of advanced safety features, the 2021 VW Atlas Cross Sport competes well with the Honda Passport, Ford Edge, and Jeep Grand Cherokee, plus others like the Nissan Murano and Chevrolet Blazer.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport is based on the Atlas, but it doesn’t feel the same on the road. Its lighter weight and slightly smaller dimensions give the Cross Sport a sportier personality. This is true with either the 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder or the 3.6-liter V6.

The 2.0-liter is surprisingly responsive, accelerating quickly from a stop with minimal if any turbo lag. It’s noisier and coarser than the V6 under hard acceleration, but the 8-speed automatic transmission’s quick reaction time gives this engine a sprightly demeanor. Most drivers will find the 235-horsepower 4-cylinder plenty satisfying, and we don’t think you’ll need to spend the extra money for the 276-horsepower V6 unless you plan on towing.

Note: With either engine, the Atlas Cross Sport does not get especially good fuel economy. The most efficient model, a front-drive 4-cylinder, tops out at only 24 mpg on the highway.

Whichever engine you choose, the Atlas Cross Sport is comfortable and compliant, and its handling is good for a vehicle of this size. Steering feel is a little artificial, but low-speed assist is excellent. We were also impressed with the Cross Sport’s relatively tight turning radius. If you want to improve the Cross Sport’s throttle response, steering feel, and shift speeds, selecting Sport Mode makes driving this VW SUV a lot more fun.

With the 2021 VW Atlas, people who don’t need that extra third row for passengers benefit from a flat, gap-free cargo floor, plus a huge cargo area, without the need to fold down seats.

But Volkswagen’s 2-row midsize SUV has an extra bonus – a roomier second row. Even though the Atlas has a spacious second row that can slide fore and aft to accommodate passengers in the third row, the Cross Sport instead adds nearly three inches of extra legroom in the second row. There’s generous headroom in both rows, too, despite the sloping roofline.

Interior design is simple yet elegant, with high-quality materials and attractive, crisp design. Controls are easy to reach, and features like the Digital Cockpit (VW’s optional fully digital gauge cluster) add some upscale tech. The coupe-like roof of the Atlas Cross Sport does cut into the cargo area a little, but there’s still 40.3 cubic feet of cargo area behind the second row, which expands to an impressive maximum of 77.8 cubic feet. That’s about the same amount you’ll find in the Honda Passport.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport bears more than a slight similarity to its 3-row sibling. Yet there are some distinct differences. Both SUVs have the same length wheelbase, yet the Cross Sport is 5.2 inches shorter and sits 2.2 inches lower than the Atlas, giving the Cross Sport tidier dimensions and a sportier profile.

Unlike the Atlas’s flat roofline, the Cross Sport’s roof slopes downward, for a sportier, more youthful look. It also helps improve aerodynamics. Up front, there’s a sharp 3-bar grille and LED lighting, and silver roof rails are standard on every model. Eighteen-inch wheels come standard, but 20- and 21-inch alloys are available on higher trim levels. There’s also LED lighting in back.

If you choose one of the R-Line models, the Atlas Cross Sport gets an R-Line exclusive front bumper with air intakes, a unique-to R-Line rear bumper with a black diffuser, side skirts, and R-Line badging. R-Line models are also the only way you can get 21-inch wheels.

SPACIOUS INTERIOR
Not only can the cargo area carry up to 40.3 cubic feet of gear behind the second row, but that row is quite spacious, too. There’s almost three inches more legroom than in the 3-row Atlas, and the second row folds down to create a cavernous storage area of 77.8 cubic feet.

SPORT MODE
For day-to-day driving around town, the driving dynamics of the 2021 VW Atlas Cross Sport are relaxed and well-composed. In Sport mode, though, the steering, throttle, and transmission response sharpen up nicely.

The base Atlas Cross Sport, the S, comes with the turbo 2.0-liter engine and an 8-speed automatic transmission, plus a long list of safety features that includes forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitor, and rear cross-traffic alert. It also comes with rain-sensing wipers, automatic LED headlights, power heated side mirrors, roof rails, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone compatibility.

Also standard are 18-inch wheels, 6-speaker audio, and cloth manually adjusted seats. A 6.5-inch infotainment touchscreen comes standard, as do two USB ports. But you have to step up to an SE model to get keyless entry and push-button start, a power driver’s seat, and a power liftgate.

More features become available – and become standard equipment in some cases – as you move up the model line. The V6 engine is offered starting with the SE w/Tech model. All-wheel drive is an option on all trim levels except the SEL Premium, where it’s standard. Twenty- and 21-inch wheels are available, as are power-folding side mirrors and a power liftgate with the Easy Open (foot motion) feature.

Interior amenities include leather seats, heated steering wheel, heated and cooled power front seats, and 2-zone climate control. Cool tech is available, such as the Digital Cockpit, an 8-inch touchscreen, and 12-speaker Fender audio. Rounding out the optional safety features are lane-keep assist, park-distance control, adaptive cruise control, intelligent high beams, and an overhead-view camera. You can also get a panoramic sunroof as a stand-alone option. The R-Line also adds different bumpers, wheels, and badges.

2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport Engine

The Atlas Cross Sport comes standard with a 235-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, and with SE w/Tech models, a 276-horsepower V6 is available. Both engines use an 8-speed automatic transmission, and buyers can choose between front- or all-wheel drive (FWD, AWD) with both engines.

All-wheel drive is optional on every trim level except the top-of-the-line SEL models, where it’s standard. The 4Motion all-wheel-drive system comes with Eco, Normal, and Sport driving modes. With the 4-cylinder engine or the V6, this VW’s fuel economy is not especially good. An Atlas Cross Sport with a fuel-efficient diesel (TDI) powertrain would fix this, but don’t expect that to happen anytime soon.

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4
235 horsepower @ 4,500 rpm
258 lb-ft of torque @ 1,600 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 21/24 mpg (FWD), 18/23 mpg (AWD)

3.6-liter V6
276 horsepower @ 6,200 rpm
266 lb-ft of torque @ 2,750 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 17/23 mpg (FWD), 16/22 mpg (AWD)