VW Atlas Cross Sport | Review

For the latest Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport pricing and information:

If you stopped the video right now “5-seat Atlas” would give you an essential understanding of the Cross Sport. By ditching the Atlas’s 3rd row, the Cross Sport loses 5.2 inches of overall length while retaining the same 117.3-inch wheelbase. What’s left is super spacious. Cargo space is a stellar 40.3 cubic feet aft of the second row and 77.8 cu.-ft. with the seats folded. For a 2-row midsize SUV, that’s stellar.

Another bragging point is the rear-seat legroom. With the front seat placed for me, the ultimate average human, I fit behind myself with room to spare.

Incidentally, VW is hugely proud that the Atlas has 11 cupholders. To me, 11 cupholders for 5 occupants feels like an unhealthy ratio but reach your own conlusion.

Material quality on our ornate SEL Premium R-Line subject is lovely up high. Though the lower you poke the harder the surface and the presence of actual stitching draws attention to the fake stitching embossed on the dash. Nonetheless, our car’s dark burgundy and black leather add a swanky touch to the commendably comfortable and supportive seats.

For the pilot in command, visibility is slightly inhibited but workable. One thing we’ve noticed driving the Atlas is its lively handling. Thankfully that quality has carried over to the Cross Sport.
Compared to the larger Atlas the Cross Sport steers with a livelier feel.

As is now common, you can also activate Sport Mode for more emotive steering, throttle and transmission behaviors. There’s also an eco mode that we’ll just ignore along with off-road and snow modes. As for ride compliance, the Cross Sport dulls road imperfections with grace while shielding occupants in a serene cabin.

For engine choices you’ve got a base 2-liter 4-cylinder (235hp, 258 lb-ft) that other Blue Book testers have described as “course sounding but sprightly”. Good use of the word “sprightly”, team! There’s also a 3.6L V6 (276hp, 266 lb-ft) reserved for higher trims. With either engine all-wheel drive costs $1,900. Chose the V6 and you can tow up to 5,000 lbs. Fuel economy is underwhelming for the segment, peaking at 21city/24hwy with the front-drive 2.0L and dropping to 16city/22hwy in the all-wheel drive V6. Our tester is the V6 and while it pulls with reasonable enthusiasm when asked, the 8-speed automatic behaves displeasingly at a standard pace.

Off the line, the transmission holds onto to 2nd too long and its shifts are hardly transparent.

Another area of scrutiny is the price. With blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, and a 6.5-inch screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a base Cross Sport S trim costs less than $32,000 including destination charges. Luxuriate in Cross Sport options like keyless access, 21-inch wheels, a foot-activated liftgate, plus a 360-degree camera system offering a vast array of useful views shown on an 8-inch infotainment display, and you can spec an SEL Premium R-Line, like this exact model, to more than $51k; a sum unachievable by many of its competitors. I’ll also note that VW’s 6-year warranty has been ditched for 2020. It’s now a 4-year 50k warranty plus 2 years of free maintenance.

So, the powertrain could use some refining, it’s not particularly efficient, and a lack of buying restraint summons eye-popping MSRPs. But the Atlas Cross Sport is also roomy, rides nice, and wraps its buyer in a distinct style.
If you like the Volkswagen Atlas but abhor the notion of traveling with more than 4 friends, the Cross Sport is your slightly coupier alternative. And now, everyone simultaneously shout how you feel about Cross Sport’s styling.

[o-_-ojb]

I have 10 cup holders. I have no family or friends and I still use all of them. Phone, keys, coins, parts, iPad mount, and sometimes cups.

[shwnc]

Just get the SEL V6. $44k with everything you need. I test drove one and actually really liked it

[HeyItsCoates]

Good to see physical reviews are back underway!

Also the headlights and grill remind me slightly of the 2020 Explorer.

[ConorLennon]

Paul Rudd. 3 years watching these videos and I finally get who Micah reminds me of.

[PetiteParrotLover]

We just added one to our family and love it! It looks great, handles well, has awesome technology, and is very comfortable. So happy we took the plunge - it’s our first Volkswagen and we could not be happier!🚘💙🚘💙

[TheDrewPeters]

We have a 2019 atlas with the v6. Underwhelming power, and fuel economy, but great size for a family of 6.

[reinaldofernandez]

Nice vehicle but too expensive, IMHO.

[carbonio]

For the price it should be close to 300hp and top trip 320hp ..but that's just me lol

[WDavid-bmjd]

I had VW atlas premium and Tiguan before and sold it within 1 year, engine lights on 3 times just within 1 year less than 10k miles, as well as recall, I like their design and roomy space, but unfortunately the quality is not goods, now I go for Lexus

[rustlesee]

03:10, wow.. look at all that wasted space to make it look like the front end is beefier than it is. 🤷🏼‍♂️

[Luckys]

2:20 am I the only one that would get really annoyed if I had to look at that volume button every day? The sideways symbol just urks me.

[stephenhendricks]

VW has received a considerable amount of criticism for the reduction of their bumper-to-bumper warranty from 6 years to 4 years in their current models. So purely from a PR perspective it was a mistake (imo). On the other hand, from a consumer standpoint the inclusion of two years of standard service/maintenance that's now included it's arguably a considerably better deal. Consider, for example, that only a tiny minority of owners ever redeem a warranty claim in years five and six of a warranty. Not only do all manufacturers require that all service and maintenance requirements be performed on time over the course of ownership, the percentage of owners who experience a warranty covered repair in the fifth and sixth years of ownership is minuscule, well under 2% of owners of any brand. On the other hand, annual maintenance and service runs an average of $300 per year for a VW SUV. That's a $600 savings that virtually every purchaser receives. A rational consumer might well prefer a 100% guarantee of a $600 savings vs the unknown potential of a warranty claim after four years that at least 98% of owners will never receive.

[stephenhendricks]

Not my favorite among the midsize crossovers. But for those who (a) neither need nor want a third row; (b) want the relatively large cargo space (both total and behind the second row) in the Cross Sport compared to other midsize 2 row SUV's; and prefer the coupe like styling of the Cross Sport compared to the Atlas, it may be an appealing choice. A point to keep in mind is that the Cross Sport is an especially large 2 row SUV. While its competitors range from about 188" to 192", the Cross Sport comes in a 195.5". That puts it in the category of 3 row rivals that range from 195" to 203".

[oscarkanal]

Definitely one of the best looking midsize suv, VW really nailed it

[cld]

Love the look and leg room.. Especially the back seat leg room!! So the second row doesn't adjust to slide forward or back. Why would anyone be pressed to do so if you have all that leg room??!😍
The dashboard, however, is my BIGGEST disappointment!!!! If the look and style could fast forward from 2010 to 2020, that would be great!!!!👍🏽🙃

[Pinkpolo]

"The lower you poke, the harder the

[donnelson]

I had high hopes for the Atlas and Cross Sport, but the engine options, mpg, and interior aesthetics and materials are not up to par with the competition. Also, while it has tons of interior, leg and head room, my knee bangs against the side of very wide center console.

[cbthecollector]

How’d you film it driving without a film crew?

[johntamd]

Dude Micah - I *LOVE* your video editing... very clever transitions. Yeah, I noticed that. And I think there was a car in this video too, or something?

[revanthtiruveedhi]

Can't wait for a Venza Review. I think it looks amazing, and is really efficient with it's hybrid. Might be the class best vehicle