AutoTrader SCORE
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STYLING7/10
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Safety9/10
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PRACTICALITY8/10
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USER-FRIENDLINESS6/10
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FEATURES8/10
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POWER8/10
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COMFORT7/10
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DRIVING FEEL7/10
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FUEL ECONOMY7/10
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VALUE7/10
If you want to see where automakers are pouring resources these days, just check out their midsize SUV offerings.
The competition is fierce as every new or remade model is an improvement over its predecessor, and often its competitors. Just as the redesigned Honda Pilot and new Mazda CX-90 caught our attention, Toyota introduced the Grand Highlander that topped them both.
Not to be left behind, Volkswagen has updated its Atlas with new styling and features, as well as a streamlined powertrain setup across the lineup. Tested here, the 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport takes the platform and mechanical parts of the three-row version and wraps them up them in a stylish – if less spacious – package.
Styling: 7.5/10
Subscribing to the belief that the “U” in SUV stands for utility, the thought of squashing the roofline and decreasing interior space in the interest of fashion makes about as much sense as a toucan with a toothbrush. Still, I have to admit that the Atlas Cross Sport’s proportions are decidedly better looking than the taller, boxier (and more practical) three-row Atlas.
Both carry on with the bold, broad-shouldered look that served the previous generation so well, but it's been freshened up with a bigger grille that flows directly into the headlight assemblies, and topped by a light bar and illuminated VW nose badge. Around back, another full-width light bar features another glowing VW badge and a complex series of LEDs. The family resemblance to pricier Audi models is especially evident from the profile and rear three-quarter views.
The 21-inch wheels fill out the large, blocky fender openings, and this tester’s Kingfisher Blue metallic paint is wonderfully radiant even on the drabbest of winter days. Missteps? Those illuminated badges are as tasteful as an oversized clock necklace, and the chrome-rimmed squares in the lower corners of the rear bumper are nothing more than tailpipe toupees, since the actual exhaust vents behind them.
Volkswagen has stepped up the poshness of the Atlas Cross Sport’s interior, especially in this top Execline trim with interesting textures and leather-clad seats wearing fancy piping and blue quilted inserts. The Cross Sport script is invisible during daylight but emerges after dark with the rest of the fancy in-cabin ambient lighting, adding a neat touch to the space.
User-Friendliness: 6/10
Despite the effort put into the fancy cockpit illumination, Volkswagen still neglected to light up the panel of controls on the dash for the volume and temperature sliders. This oversight garnered plenty of negative attention when the latest Golf GTI came out three years ago, and it’s all but inexcusable that it continues here. Similarly, I'm not a fan of the ongoing dependency on the 12-inch infotainment touchscreen for simple functions like seat heating and ventilation. Worse are the climate controls that are also manipulated through the touchscreen, except for the windshield defrost function, which is bizarrely activated by a button left of the steering wheel near the headlight switches.
Proof that VW has been listening to some customer feedback, the tedious haptic controls on the steering wheel of earlier models have been replaced by proper buttons, and they work just fine. The infotainment system itself is fairly straightforward, with sensible menu navigation and bright, crisp graphics. The system is also quite responsive and rarely glitched during this test, even with wireless Apple CarPlay in use – something many competitor systems struggle with.
The driver’s seat offers plenty of up and down travel, enabling pilots of all sizes to find a commanding position with good outward forward visibility. Blind spots to the rear and rear are also minimal despite the sloped shape of the roofline.
Features: 8/10
In typical Volkswagen fashion, even the entry-level Comfortline trim is well-equipped with desirable features like heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, keyless entry and tailgate opening, a digital instrument display, 12-inch infotainment system, adaptive cruise control, and front and rear parking sensors. The mid-trim Highline adds a panoramic sunroof, 20-inch wheels (instead of the standard 18-inch alloys), a powerful stereo system, and leather seats, among other niceties. Finally, the Execline tested here benefits from mostly aesthetic improvements (like the 21-inch wheels), but also a head-up display, self-parking, and a surround-view camera system.
Comfort: 7/10
All those features go a long way to make the Atlas Cross Sport a comfy place to spend time. Add to that a cabin that’s insulated well enough to keep road and wind noise suppressed, and ride quality that’s firm yet still manages to offer a smooth cruise on the highway. However, the 21-inch wheels are wrapped in stiff low-profile tires that transmit the shock of bigger potholes to the cockpit. The seats feel more stiff than plush and are wide and flat, which will accommodate a wider spectrum of body shapes and sizes while sacrificing lateral support.
Practicality: 8/10
The larger Atlas provides roughly 25 per cent more cargo space with its second- and third rows folded than this version’s still-impressive 2,203 L of capacity. Likewise, even Honda’s similarly sized two-row entry, the Passport, offers notably more cargo space than the VW. The Atlas Cross Sport’s hatch opening is wide, the load floor is low, and the space itself is very square and usable, plus the rear seats sit perfectly flat when folded forward.
Passenger space is very good, too, with plenty of room for those up front, and a second-row seat that offers up limo-like legroom (more than the larger three-row Atlas); but the shortened roofline cuts into headroom, leaving less space than you’ll find in the back of other five-passenger entries like the Passport, Toyota Venza, and Nissan Murano. The Atlas Cross Sport is rated to tow 2,268 kg (5,000 lb).
Power: 8/10
The biggest change for the 2024 Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport is the discontinuation of the venerable V6 engine, replaced by a retuned version of the sporty GTI’s turbocharged four-cylinder. Mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive, the 2.0L engine is now the only offered across the Atlas family. It offers up 269 hp, which is seven fewer than last year’s V6, but it has more torque (273 lb-ft versus 266). Both numbers arrive at far fewer revs, making the engine feel livelier. Around town, the Cross Sport pulls away from a stop smartly, and even at highway speeds there’s ample oomph on tap for brisk passing.
Fuel Economy: 7/10
Expectedly, the new, smaller engine also equates to better fuel efficiency ratings, bettering last year’s V6 by almost 1.0 L/100 km on average. The combined figure of 10.8 L/100 km is pretty close to what was observed during this test week that was a mix of wintertime urban and highway driving, and fares better than the V6-powered Honda Passport, but slightly worse than the V6-powered Nissan Murano. The Atlas Cross Sport runs on regular-grade gas.
Driving Feel: 7/10
The Cross Sport delivers competent handling, providing good roll resistance when cornering, and steering that’s quick and precise enough to offer confidence during evasive manoeuvres, while the standard all-wheel drive helps keep the VW on track on loose surfaces. Braking is strong and the pedal feel is firm.
Safety: 9/10
The Atlas family get strong crash-test ratings, earning top marks from both the not-for-profit Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and United States National Highway Traffic Safety Adminsitration (NHTSA). The Comfortline is well-equipped with active and passive safety features including a litany of airbags, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring and rear-traffic alert. The adds automatic high-beam control and dynamic headlights, while the Execline adds self-parking, surround-view cameras, and a head-up display.
Value: 7/10
Starting at $51,578, the 2024 Atlas Cross Sport climbs to $61,578 for the top trim, putting it within $1,000 of the larger and more practical Atlas, and even more expensive than Honda’s Passport. Nissan’s aging Murano and Subaru’s smaller Outback are significantly more affordable throughout their lineups. Each of these alternatives offer similar passenger and cargo space, comparable feature counts and performance, but arguably less fashionable interior and exterior styling.
The Verdict
The midsize SUV segment is overflowing with practical, well-equipped offerings in so many different sizes and flavours that buyers have multiple options no matter what their specific wants and needs. Those looking for a machine with comfortable accommodations for five, lively acceleration, and styling inside and out that feels a cut above the competitors should give the 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport a look.
| Engine Displacement | 2.0L |
|---|---|
| Engine Cylinders | Turbo I4 |
| Peak Horsepower | 269 hp @ 5,500–6,500 rpm |
| Peak Torque | 273 lb-ft @ 1,600–4,750 rpm |
| Fuel Economy | 12.2 / 9.2 / 10.8 L/100 km cty/hwy/cmb |
| Cargo Space | 1,141 L / 2,197 L seats up/down |
| Model Tested | 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport Execline |
| Base Price | $58,895 |
| A/C Tax | $100 |
| Destination Fee | $2,050 |
| Price as Tested | $61,045 |
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Optional Equipment
None
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