Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport 2021 Review

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.

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.

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 services

Standard 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 seats

SE 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 styling

SEL 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 wheels

SEL 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