The 2020 Atlas Cross Sport Is A Sleek Family Hauler, But Which Should You Buy: 2.0L Turbo or V6?

[@JokerG16]

I’d go for the V6. I’m not a fan of overworking a 4-cylinder engine. The turbo 4 sounds good in theory, but in actuality, you’re not saving gas.

[@paladin11C40]

That really depends on how people drive it. Some people think they have to push it harder because its a four cylinder. When I drive our turbo 4 Kia, I get 3-6 MPG better than my wife does. I owned a Audi with same 2.0L, after I did a ECU flash, I got better MPG and increased power by 60 HP and 80 TQ.

[@carholic-sz3qv]

@@paladin11C40 yeah the more you push the turbo engine you have worse gas mileage

[@paladin11C40]

@@carholic-sz3qv Save a few thousand on MSRP, drop a mile or 3 in MPG, have a highly more responsive engine that can make more power.

[@mikem2253]

Torque curve on that 2.0T is fantastic.

[@mtunofun1]

Yea...I have a 2.0 ecoboost Ford Edge. It’s adequate with regular gas and peppy with premium. But constantly going into boost is not good for fuel economy. My FWD version only gets average of 23mpg combined 50/50 city/highway.

[@HighGear7445]

2019 Atlas here with the 2.0 turbo engine. I drive conservatively and so far am averaging over 26 mpg,s on fuelly. Look at Fuelly with the V6 and it's more like 18mpg's. My best so far is 31.7mpg , this is with 85% freeway driving at 70+mph (to me that is amazing to break 30 mpgs on a large vehicle like this and also a hot day with the AC on). It's not even broken in yet only 3200 miles on it. These figures are all hand calculated. I've found the vehicle computer to be optimistic on short trips but very close to hand calculated numbers on long trips. Magazine road test show pretty much neck and neck on acceleration tests with v6 vs I4. I have never felt I didn't have enough engine on the freeway. We are a VW family with a 5 and 6yr old TDI's also (62,000 miles and over 100,000 miles on the clock) and super reliable.

[@JohnConnor636]

same here.

[@daniels7862]

I bought a 2019 Atlas SE. I have a lot of automotive experience. Putting a small 2.0 turbo in such a large heavy vehicle is not good for the long term. You are pushing the engine much more than you would the V6. That means that on average the 4 cyl is just not going to last nearly as long. There more parts that can break such as the turbo. Under stressed motors with lower compression are always going to last longer if made well. The VR6 is a very old design so any flaws have been worked out already and this motor is known for reliability( not just for a Volkswagen). I love my Atlas and plan on keeping it for a long time. If your going to lease then by all means go with the 4 cyl if you want better fuel economy. I drove both and it’s worth the couple mpgs for reliability, engine sound, performance and smoothness. The way automakers are going with 2.0 turbos pushed to the max we are no longer going to see vehicles go 300,000 miles like we have in older SUVs with big v8s and v6s

[@sebastianandrew9077]

The reason why the engine bay on this vehicle and it's big brother is so big is that when VW showed off these vehicles as concepts they also has an electric engine in them. This was SUPPOSED to be a hybrid vehicle. With the electric engine this would have put out 310hp. Research it on KZbin the videos are still there.

[@kencoleman8929]

Given VW's drive to electrification, it can only be a matter of time.

[@electric7487]

A turbo hybrid VR6 would be the best of all worlds IMO.

[@bacvain]

After researching it I’d buy this with the 2.0T and immediately install the goAPR chip for it. You get more HP and torque.

[@bacvain]

Blair Aquilia thanks for sharing. Do you feel the difference with the tune? I’m sure you do but I mean in terms of toque and moving this big ass atlas...

[@daniels7862]

It will never be nearly as reliable as the v6. An NA understressed lower compression motor will always last longer. It’s basic physics. When you try to squeeze so much power out of an engine so small your putting extra strain on all the components which leads to faster wear.

[@bacvain]

DanielSangster oh for sure. Any turbocharged 4cyl engine hauling that much weight won’t have the same reliability and durability as the 6cyl natural aspirated engine. BUT it’s also not the same tech as the early 2000’s. Can I expect 300k miles and over on that engine maybe not but most people drive these and trade them after 150-200k miles. I don’t expect the engine to give out. Plus that 2.0T has been around for a while now and GoAPR has been testing on them for a while too. Problem is that the Atlas is slouch with that vr6. Pack it up and it’s impossible to move. Test drive one and it was horrible. But then again I own 2 6cyl turbo charged vehicles and I expect power and it disappointed me.

[@Raskavolkosvis]

Guys we need a drag race between the 2.0t and the v6

[@vincentghostine7194]

El proteston cubano es una yegua : amen

[@RichardShelton]

"Mountains with a star". I love it! Great review of a beautiful SUV. Thank you!

[@MattsCarsMusic]

Competition against VW Atlas Cross Sport: Hyundai Santa Fe, Honda Passport, Nissan Murano, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Chevrolet Blazer, Ford Edge

[@perezsykes3803]

Such a beautiful and hip looking vehicle on the outside. Then you get in and it’s plastic city! VW really has to up its interiors to match the exterior. Anyone shopping for a Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit would not give this vehicle a second look.

[@JogBird]

the engine looks so tiny in that engine bay, you could fit a body in there

[@CaliforniaMISC]

Some how they have to squeeze v8 turbo for Urus or SQ7

[@franciscorubio3613]

The V(R)6 IS AND WILL ALWAYS BE THE BEST ENGINE EVER MADE BY VW COMPARED TO the tiny turbo 4 banger

[@_k911]

Unless you plan on towing something you really don’t need the V6. There’s not much more HP…Save your money.

[@ronsmith7880]

Thank you for the video Roman... I think I'd try the V6 model...I do like the body styling..great car.

[@MA9494AM]

Not a fan of this trend of coupe CUV/SUV's or the Atlas for that matter. The Touareg here in Europe got better looks

[@bradleypollack5658]

Way better towing capacities with the Touareg and horsepower. In the US we get screwed!!

[@edwardmatos632]

Shame of US and Canada markets not bringing the new Touareg instead, we have to accept this "Suv". Nothing really impressive against my Treg Vr6 17'. The Interior looks so cheap in all aspects .

[@kennethcoleman6769]

Really nice video on the Cross Sport, informative, enjoyable and beautiful driving footage! I'm considering a V6 SEL Premium R-line, or possibly the V6 SEL R-line. SEL Premium comes with leather and cooled seats which are a plus in the South, but here in the South I don't really need 4-motion or the parking assist. I have a 100lb Giant Schnauzer and like it for the style and room, and realistically would never use the 3rd row in the Atlas. So is SEL with Premium pkg worth it and is Pure White or Pyrite Silver the better color for it?

[@damilolaakanni]

0:56 that's as much as a 2003 Lexus GX470 with a V8 engine... Pretty impressive numbers for a 4 cylinder turbocharged engine that wasn't built for performance.

[@JoeE.]

V6 is more reliable and cheaper to insure than a turbo. But for VW, I think reliability is questionable. So, it doesnt really matter which one you choose.

[@IKnewMickey]

The Awakening These cars, like a lot of cars these days aren't designed to go 300,000 miles. So ya, there's that. But they're safe and efficient.

[@officialyasir]

The Awakening checked consumer reports, reliability is rated “far below average”, lol

[@officialyasir]

chaosknight360 do you have a source for “plenty” reliable? I provided consumer reports that surveys thousands of its subscribers

[@officialyasir]

chaosknight360 I’ll check out repair pal, never heard of it. Funny you mentioned the Passat, my friend’s brother in law has a 3-4 year old Passat with 95k miles, he does mostly highway miles, long commute and it’s already burning a lot of oil. I’m glad your Passat is doing well though.

[@gs98999]

@@officialyasir Here is the most recent study. VW is above average. www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2020-us-vehicle-dependability-study

[@JRs-guitars]

2.0T is obscene. There's a reason you can buy one in 4motion for $28/29k. It'll last maybe 3 years. Lol. A 3.0T or 3.2T (or non turbo) would've made way more sense. Hell ..Audis 4.2 V6 would've been nice too

[@mrbrowz1000101]

I had an '18 SEL Atlas R-Line (so miss that SUV; could fit a whole queen size pillow top mattress in it) and that V-6 was the German 6.2 as far as gas usage. Hate I never got it on the road for a trip. I wanted the 2.0t to be able to tune and have the gas mileage but the prices started getting crazy right after I got mine so left them alone. Wonderful vehicle tho. Highly recommend the upper trims and Michelin tires.

[@krbelloff]

Just a 2 liter. No need for the “point o”. Just a pet peeve. Good review.

[@sgbradley]

So you came to my backyard and didn't stop in to drive my '35 Dodge? I guess Thomas @VW must be happier than a Frenchman in Paris lol.

[@nokoolaid]

Big no on the turbo. The NA engine should be more reliable if you keep the vehicle a long time.

[@nattga]

I am too small for this. I feel like I sit in a bathtub and I can’t see out front. 😭😂

[@ninioburbuja]

2:11 *Honda Passport

[@damilolaakanni]

He made the same mistake in the previous video about this car

[@regsparkes6507]

Awww with all the cars Roman and the boys go through,.I think we can forgive that miss-speak can't we! We all knew what he meant, in fact that 'slip' went right over my head as I thought,.."the Pilot is not for me!"....

[@coltonwalsh9958]

Ninioburbuja it's not Honda passport it's the Honda pilot

[@regsparkes6507]

@@coltonwalsh9958 hahahaha! I can't believe you 'said' this!

[@tysongaspard9330]

ninioburbuja he said it twice in this review actually...

[@mikeinva8]

Test drove this car this past weekend and it handled great very smooth ride and great feel behind the wheel, but there are two major drawbacks that will prevent me from even considering it. First the roof line is way too low when getting into the car, the seat must be put all the way down in order for a 5 foot 10 person to get in without hitting his head and to make things worse Volkswagen did not give the seats easy in easy out activation meaning they do not lower automatically when you turn the car off. So basically you need to adjust the sea every time you get in and out, without re-adjusting the seat, I could not get out of the car and that is also a major safety issue how is this ever passed safety is beyond me. In a SUV I like to ride with the seat high, is that not the point of a SUV. The second issue is with the digital cockpit Display, why they would put eight point type in something you need to see clearly is beyond believe. It is incredibly difficult to read and illumination at maximum is barely readable. Two major flaws makes this a no go for me.

[@Angelotiangel]

When are you going off road with this car?

[@LukeEdward]

2.0L turbo and don’t leave the dealership until they do the APR stage 1 or 2 tune. Then, Bob’s your uncle.

[@SoWeird4U]

That 2.0 can reach 280 HP and beyond 300 with added hardware and stage 2. Lots of customization at a tuner shop + features you can open with some coding to the ECU. Just for that its worth to get. Otherwise... Honda/Toyota all the way.

[@LukeEdward]

@@SoWeird4U Heck yeah. I only mention APR, because it's fully warranteed AND a dealer add-on item. Many of these A888(?) are in Audis with 350+.

[@kevinvest7513]

Yes, Golf-R is a performance model. Atlas R-line is a trim package just like S-line for Audi’s.

[@daveeberhard4835]

Its not $10,000 more for the V6 you are driving a LOADED V6 and comparing it to a more basic model

[@ArmoredBullTrading]

Who cares about gas, a turbocharged 4 is a workhorse. it is a little jerky due to the fast revving, but regardless. My 2.0T is superb and faster than the V6. I added a few mods and really woke it up as well. 4motion , Cheers! 2021.5 VW Atlas 2.0T 4Motion.

[@srsairbags]

The 2.0 is definitely the better engine, especially at altitude.

[@MrConor159]

The phev once it arrives otherwise neither.

[@regsparkes6507]

Roman, you just barely mentioned 'towing', and as I would prefer the 2.0 engine too, the question I'd like answered is can it tow, and if so to what capacity?

[@bradleypollack5658]

Add an optional V6 TSI. The V6 is worse than the Honda Pilot 0-60 by over a second. Gets destroyed by the Ford Explorer.

[@richardbutton1179]

I'll take the V6 but i could do without some of those options so I could get it for less than $50k

[@BLACKNIGHT8990]

Should have made a v6 turbo

[@-redtango]

Isn't it competiting with the Honda Passport? Atlas - Pilot & Atlas Cross Sport - Passport?

[@Jeep2Honda]

Pilot, Ridgeline, Oddysey, Passport... whatever it takes.

[@perezsykes3803]

VW can’t really believe this is the replacement for the Touareg? 😳

[@daniels7862]

Perez Sykes the Touareg failed in the US. People don’t want to spend 60k on a VW. Might as well get an Audi. And Americans want BIG. The Atlas has been a massive sales success for VW. And I absolutely love my V6 Atlas. They are literally everywhere in LA

[@jmml1]

Only for you in North America ☺️

[@paladin11C40]

Not worth 10k for 30hp and 8tq. do the ECU flash for 700 bucks for the 2.0T 291hp and 317tq. 2.0L turbo I4, gasoline, 235 hp (175 kW), 258 lb⋅ft (350 N⋅m) of torque 3.6L VR6, gasoline, 276 hp (206 kW), 266 lb⋅ft (361 N⋅m) of torque

[@joshuakerstein9573]

Apr has stage one at 320hp and 350 tq

[@paladin11C40]

@@joshuakerstein9573 They must have made some improvements. Remember, my post was a year ago. I remember back when the Mustang Cobra was putting out those numbers and we thought it was awesome. I just noticed I forgot to add APRs name in my original post, lol.

[@AllStars2525]

It's a great looking car, but it's too wide. Standard parking spaces are too small to fit it.

[@ivanbcanada6454]

Welcome to Vancouver, BC

[@SDav21]

Wow the engine is lost inside there. I don't understand why they just don't give you guys in the US the new Touareg in addition to having the Atlas. The Atlas can be their cheap large SUV and the Touareg the more premium one which it is. I mean the Atlas is front wheel drive based. I find that the weirdest thing in such large cars yet it seems to be a common thing there in the US. Odd odd odd.

[@SDav21]

@@100M2B VW is a more premium mainstream brand. At least that's what it is supposed to be. Yet I see in the US they provide models of lower quality. Sad really especially since, for example, the euro Passat is sooo much better than the US one.

[@abbaby555]

VW should have just stuck the golf R engine as the only option in this model

[@lapamful]

Honestly, how much do you have to pay the Germans for RWD? It's ridiculous.

[@shellcracker18]

I don’t see why you would get the v6 over the turbo 4. Costs more and the HP is not a big enough difference

[@JokerG16]

@Shell Cracker you’d get it for longevity

[@electric7487]

@@JokerG16 And the sound.

[@LubaLuba1]

Not once in your video did you mentioned if the seats were real leather in fact you didn't even say anything and that is because its not leather.

[@jdubdoubleu]

Who cares

[@Charlie1821]

Those engine options are weak. And those mpgs...... wtf

[@daniels7862]

It’s a 5,000 pound SUV. What do you expect. I have no issue with the gas mileage in my Atlas V6. It’s way better than it was 20 years ago when a suburban could get 12mpg sometimes even less.

[@93remix]

The base engine should be the 2.0L 4 @ 235hp, THEN... THE ACTUAL SPORT IN SPORTCROSS SHOULD BE THE the GOLF R variant @ 297! (NOW I'D BUY THAT!!) annnnd yes, a V6 SHOULD ALWAYS BE OFFERED IN AN SUV OF THIS SIZE

[@vinckokeccee1352]

GEN 3 EA888 engines can be flash-tuned to 319HP on 93 gas and will run circles around the V6

[@navyguy3341]

Ha ha what a pissy little engine, the vw group make a screamer 2.9v6 turbo, thats what this car needs and maybe a blower on that old boat anchor 3,6 to give it some cred as a midspec choice hey

[@pontiachotshot]

So the lambo urus is built on this platform ? I wonder who will be the first to do a conversion from atlas to urus with the body kit.

[@paladin11C40]

Its not on the same platform, this uses the MQB platform which is a front drive biased platform, basically lower end vehicles. The Urus uses the MLB evo platform which is a premium platform made more for longitudinal engines for use in the Urus, Q7,Q8 Cayenne, Bentyaga, and Touareg, or high end models.

[@ayhankisa2623]

Dashboard dont look luxury and rims needs to be chrome other than that great car

[@mrbrowz1000101]

2.0t. Get a tune AND be fuel efficient.

[@incognito6469]

Just another superficial TFL review. Typical and as usual. In America, all VW 4 bangers are still direct injected only engines. With the well known carbon build up problem. VW treats US and Canadian customers like second class as they sell better technology in Europe. The VR6 is essentially a decades old design. It works and it's an easy choice. But why would you mentioned any of that? You are just doing car reviews, right...? Right...!

[@erp2000]

I'll get a Jeep Grand Cherokee with the v8

[@yankeedoodle6293]

I would stay away from this stylish German Money Pit. If you want reliability, go Japanese...

[@guniseran]

It would do well at $25k price point to justify questionable reliability and build quality

[@Rockybalboa541]

10k more for a less efficient and slower v6 no thanks

[@NiksS4]

It's not even big enough for a family 😂

[@kevinvest7513]

VW has championed the 2.0T. They are also renowned for the VR6. Why did they underrate the VR6? It’s capable of so much more. It’s a shame, underpowered and poor fuel economy, I don’t get it.

[@firstlast5862]

No VW with ongoing issue of carbon buildup

[@MrUnknown747]

None of those engines belong in that car and its overpriced

[@Marko-hr4rj]

Worst petrol engine

[@kevinvest7513]

Now that the VR6 is gone for 2024, give the 2.0t the balls to compete, god dammit!

[@kevinvest7513]

Or at least make the coding easier to crack for APR tunes. I’m still waiting for my ‘22 Arteon tune, this is bullshit!