The Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport is a style-oriented newcomer to the mid-size two-row crossover party. And true to popular form, it arrives fashionably late, but brings with it acres of space for you and four others.
New for 2020: The whole thing. The Atlas Cross Sport is VW’s third SUV, built on—you guessed it—the bones of the Atlas. What’s different? A more rakish roofline and shorter length makes the Cross Sport a five-seater versus the seven of the original Atlas. It also debuts a new nose and updated interior, both of which will make their way onto and into the regular Atlas for the 2021 model year.
It’s essentially a sportier-looking Volkswagen Atlas with slightly shrunken dimensions, and two rows of seating instead of three. It is also the first in a crop of new utility vehicles from Volkswagen as the German automaker looks to double its crossover lineup. Powertrain options are identical to what’s in the regular Atlas: a choice of either a 2.0-liter 235 hp turbo-four or a naturally aspirated, 276 hp V6 engine, tied to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, with the option of 4Motion all-wheel drive.
High-tech features abound, with available options like wireless phone charging, and Volkswagen’s Digital Cockpit LCD instrument panel. The Digital Cockpit is highly configurable, allowing the driver to customize the 12.3-inch display to show just the info they need.
The Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport will be built alongside the regular Atlas and the Passat family car at Volkswagen’s Chattanooga Assembly Plant in Tennessee.