The 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport Is a Stylish New Crossover Option | MotorWeek Road Test

[@diseman4660]

Just had my 2020 SEL Premium R Line delivered. I have been an Acura MDX owner (5 total) since 2004 and wanted a change. I now have just about 400 miles on my new Cross Sport and so far it’s exceeding my expectations. Granted it doesn’t have the power of the MDX but it certainly has everything else I really want in a SUV. Gas mileage to date is averaging 21.7 MPH which is respectable plus takes regular gas. Interior room is great and since I only need room for 5, its actually quite spacious. The SEL Premium R Line is equipped the same as an Acura MDX Advanced so features are plenty. The 480 watt Fender audio system is very nice and would probably suit anyone’s musical tastes. The seating is firm which I expected but also very adjustable for individual needs. Storage is cavernous with the rear seats folded. The 5 foot sunroof is wonerful, too. But the thing i liked the most is the exterior styling! This is one beautiful vehicle! Mine is red in color and with the R Line accents and 21 inch rims, my Cross Sport really stands out... I’ve already had lots of positive comments on the styling and looks in less than a month of ownership. I get it, this isn’t a vehicle for everyone but it does looks sharp, drives nice, is roomy, and brings me joy.

[@snakepond]

Here’s a review from an owner, not an armchair reviewer: 1) ride quality, great; 2) gas mileage, I average 21.7, much better than my wrangler, 3) roominess is awesome, 4) power, plenty never feels underpowered, 5) headlights, fantastic, 6) fake exhaust tips, I don’t care, i never see them and they stay clean. End of real world ownership review.

[@dajentleman]

I love my Atlas Cross Sport.

[@DCMX73]

Amen....it's like all the "professionals " moan about what the they heard from the other!

[@snakepond]

One final note, the interior has plenty of hard plastics, so what. It has plenty soft touch material where it’s needed, it’s a VW, what do you expect. If you want a luxury car interior, go buy a Mercedes if that’s what makes you feel good. End of review.

[@omarramirez9200]

We just bought one yesterday and we love it! It corner surprisingly flat for the size and weight of the vehicle.

[@patrick9316]

Got a 2018 se. Just got the woookie pipe installed. It a must have.

[@keithmiles30]

This is beautiful. Ready to trade in my 1 owner 08 Passat.

[@dohc1067]

Ever since my wife and i rented a VW Passat for a road trip, I have loved the way they drive. The Sport looks nice and reminds me of Audi, but the gas mileage and longterm reliability give me doubt about how cost effective it really is.

[@krane15]

That's why you buy a VW for the former, not the latter. The exact reverse can be said about the Japanese. You can get one or the other, but not both.

[@Nycholas1998]

VW needs to pair it’s engines with a hybrid system.

[@dumpnchase]

V6 needs 70 more HP

[@pastorhaironartiles9380]

Yess volkswagen ain't do to good with this they had to at least put a 3.0t

[@krane15]

Under-powered vehicles is a VW pass time. I know they want to keep fuel economy competitive, but its just too generic to compete with Japanese and Korean brands.

[@darrellcunningham6784]

I loved it up until it's debut, however, what turned me off was the 16mpg info😒, I'm gonna have to take a hard pass and go with 'NO' for a thousand🤷🏾‍♂️

[@LuvHurtsEitherWay69]

Agreed

[@OP941nine]

Besides the anemic choice of engines, I just can't get past the faux exhaust tips/trim.

[@davidmorad4405]

Audi does it too, and so does Mercedes.

[@OP941nine]

@@davidmorad4405 and also look hideous

[@pierre-richardromain6708]

Everyone complains about the horsepower. How fast do you really plan on driving a SUV? I test drove the Atlas Cross Sport. The power and ride quality is just right.

[@sleeksilver]

The Passport runs 0-60 almost three seconds faster. This thing is a joke for having a V6.

[@pierre-richardromain6708]

The Passport is ugly compared to the Cross Sport.

[@ericrainey8224]

Thank you. Someone finally gets it. Buy a mustang or a Corvette for speed, Jesus🤔🤔

[@93remix]

I don't understand the reluctance of all auto makers that make SUVs this size aren't standard with either AWD or 4WD, the base engine at least 2.5L @ 280hp & the V6 320hp or more? I'll save up 4 the QUATTRO, as good looking as it is, it lacks a lot of OOMPH!!

[@20gravedigger11]

Yup... another horrible VW powertrain

[@93remix]

@@20gravedigger11 that's what the VW AUDI group wants u to do: like the VW but buy the pricier Audi and lose you mind buying a Porsche if u can afford it

[@YUMAToff]

Tiguan,touareg,teramont and atlas they are like brothers

[@spikeafrica]

The big miss here is that you can't get an R line package on the better engine, the 2.0L. which makes almost the same if not better torque, and gets way better mpg and is way lighter. I've had both engines and the 2.0 is superior in every way.

[@alexshe9552]

What a nice exhaust tip!🤬 kill me

[@mattwolf7698]

Apart from the gauge cluster, that interior looks like it's out of 2010, I'd rather get a Hyundai Santa Fe.

[@TimJoseph08031990]

A V8 engine can get that kind of gas mileage with more power.

[@marioiacolucci]

It's a beast

[@biz4twobiz463]

agreed, in an alternate universe... Lol. The V8 is dead and/or dying. Unless you're looking for a true Sport vehicle, the V8 does not belong in this vehicle. Merci

[@jeffreypeoples4154]

Budget Lambo truck??

[@firefox39693]

What milage is the energy impact score based on?

[@kencoleman8929]

Was looking forward to this, but mileage, fake exhaust, and under powered V6, (though at least they still offer a n/a V6) are big disappointments. Still, for my use, it's a contender. Never see the V6 SEL with Premium pkg, are they embarrassed about the all in $51,000 price tag?? Chevy Blazer isnt... smdh

[@kesando84]

Does this car really have a 94 mph trap speed in the quarter? The acceleration times don’t seem to add up unless this thing actually pulls harder in the top end

[@Betazeno]

clean off the weeds on the 1/4 mile :) getting a little bushy

[@Emilioh888]

It has some q3 elements on the front

[@Cptblogh]

When the cheaper sister brand VW looks better than the Audi one...

[@dcartellone2659]

The performance is the same as a first generation Touareg V-8.. nothing really shameful. But would be nice if they still sold the Touareg here.

[@Bucks7542]

Beautiful suv. Will fit most of us consumers. Great job Volkswagen!!

[@K03sport]

Judging by the comments, most would rather suffer in a Subaru Ascent with the FA24DIT...a car with just as much plastics and Subaru quirks...

[@rl6210]

Vw has 25 yr old vr6 motor in new suv. Wake up vw

[@neil3858]

Good grief, all of you commentors, why are you guys so negative? I get that it’s not a perfect vehicle but dang.

[@LuvHurtsEitherWay69]

We are hoping VW will hear our pleas and or read our opinions and make a few serious changes.

[@black98rt]

16.3 @ 94mph is a weird match. Must be a dog from 0-20.

[@sleeksilver]

This has to be a typo. No one else has trapped even close to that speed with this thing.

[@QuantumJ67]

I used to love VWs; I’ve owned several in the past. But I really don’t like the Americanization of the products. They’ve taken out the style and uniqueness. This is just another also-ran in a crowded segment.

[@CFG39]

Such a disappointment that they didn’t put a more potent engine in this. The Chinese market Atlas (called Teramont) gets a much better 2.5L turbocharged VR6 mated to a 7-speed DSG instead of the awfully underpowered 3.6L VR6 and sluggish 8-speed Aisin torque converter automatic transmission.

[@Chicagoguy1984]

I rented a 2021 Atlas V6, Drove it around North NJ metro and the mileage was HORRIBLE !!

[@chrisnaden]

If you want great miles, get a Tesla.

[@stephenr6194]

The game changer is they use cheap plastic to build the $50000+ SUV interior👎

[@Kev2220-r8w]

Wonder how many monkeys were killed in the creation of this VW.

[@moescolla]

Think Porsche Cayenne coupe but at 1/5 of the price and 1/16 of the performance

[@donnab8640]

8.4 sec 0-60! That thing is slow as hell

[@chrisnaden]

SUV's are for Soccer moms and Football dads. Who gets an Atlas based on speed.

[@guniseran]

Get a Highlander instead better bang for your money

[@pdlynch4330]

Reliability is not great...VW

[@chuckers40]

So this is what the VW Touareg would have looked liked if they would have kept the name.

[@treads2595]

Charles allen jr The Touareg still exists. We just don’t get it here. It’s still sold in Europe.

[@MsDionne88]

@@treads2595 and it’s beautiful! Reminds me of a Audi8 a little. Sadly, they are not sold here in the US

[@topgun9995]

Golf on steroids.. To explosion Inside, full hard plastic

[@davefagerstrom]

Terrible gas mileage & power. What a waste.

[@est099]

Give us a Hybrid

[@scottanders5333]

Underpowered and overweight!! Those fake exhausts look stupid. Loaded with black plastic. We get the dull crap from Volkswagen.

[@poggi747]

No thanks, underpowered, overweight.

[@juniorlaguerre7320]

You can tell the reviewer is very disappointed in this car

[@r.a.p.k.models4160]

Is this a grand Cherokee disguise?

[@Nebukadnezarthe2nd]

"stylish"

[@derrekb4501]

Interior is so dated

[@hanashe4599]

Nope, still ugly and too big. Bring back the Touareg, stop making the new Gens so boxy and make a real sport addition Touareg with a turbo charged 3.6 or 8 cylinder and sports suspension. I love my Touareg, but since VW isn't importing them to US anymore and has gone soccer mommy with their US selection, when I'm ready for something new, and they still don't have anything cool, I'll buy something else.

[@Chicagoguy1984]

LMAO, A V8 tahoe gets same MPG and can haul more

[@ydmf2]

Four pipes

[@FLJAMESFL]

Yah fake ones

[@ronniematrix89]

This new model from VW is going to be a hot seller, demand will be high because it's a great auto.

[@ostreds]

"Simple and straightforward" = BORING

[@pastorhaironartiles9380]

Where's the Power volkswagen not looking to good

[@coronaids8662]

Convertible please.

[@MaestroTJS]

More failing from VW.

[@tomjones4528]

Looks like a Ford Explorer.

[@_.DM._]

Peace of junk. Cherokee is much better! (IMHO)

[@josemontano7767]

I really like VW but this Atlas is damn ugly

[@stephendavidbailey2743]

The competition for ugliest car is heating up. VW's used to have some dignity.

[@marijuananirvana]

A Dollar Store Urus.