If you’re looking for an SUV, you’re spoiled for choice. Maybe too spoiled! From compact to full-size, 5-passenger to 8, gas, hybrid, EV, you name it, someone’s got it. VW’s smart, too –while many will want the larger 3-row Atlas SUV, some like the size and premium features, but only need room for 5. Voila! Enter the Atlas Cross Sport – a sportier, 2-row model that still offers the premium goodness of its larger sibling. Could this be right for you? Let’s take a look.
Big, Bold and Blue
With a massive refresh for the 2024 model, the Cross Sport makes a strong first impression, and it starts with the large overall size that clearly puts it at a level above most 5-passenger models. It looks big and premium.
Up front stacked LED headlamps with wrap-around LED running lights give a bold aggressive face, with gloss black grille that sets off the subtle contrasting trim. We also love the unique R-Line bumpers and trim, and lower side grilles. Our favorite part of the front is the VW logo that illuminates at night – just a fun touch that makes you smile.
The profile really creates a look that says, “Cross Sport”. Not worrying about a 3rd row or headroom back there, they created a sharply angled C-pillar that gives a tight, coupe-like vibe. Tightening up the greenhouse really seems to accentuate the muscular fender flares, while blacked wheel well trim adds some rugged off-road cred. Helping to sell the whole program are massive 21-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels.
The rearview shows off a lovely blend of luxury and sport, with LED taillights that blend in with a horizontal light bar to span the rear hatch. Underneath, a chrome trim with ATLAS spelled out adds some bling. We’re more the sporty type, so our favorite part has to be the dual-quad exhaust pipes poking below the rear bumper.
Finishing off the presentation was our tester’s Kingfisher Blue Metallic paint – a bold Aqua that really pops and got lots of thumbs up. In a world of premium SUVs in silver, grey or cement-tones, we appreciate a strong, bold hue that really sets itself apart from the crowd!
Grand Cabin
Open the door, and you’re immediately hit by the spaciousness of the interior, and the rich smell of the Vienna leather seating surfaces. Adding to the look, the R-Line diamond-stitch pattern on the seating surfaces and perforation on the headrest is very lux, along with a flattened D-shaped steering wheel for added sport.
The front seats are as comfy as the look, heated and ventilated with backrest massage function for driver and passenger. A large center console gives a cozy driving environment, with a large lower area for stowing away large stuff.
The driver gets VW’s latest Digital Cockpit Pro, a very Audi-like 10.3-inch, configurable digital gauge display with four views including full-screen navigation that’s bright, crisp and easy to read. Helping the drive on our tester was a Head-up display.
Info-tainment is served up via a humongous 12-inch touchscreen tablet-style display. The large size makes our WAZE look fantastic, and it’s easy to read everything. The logic of the system is a little busy, though and we think navigation is less intuitive than we’d like.
And while we’re having our druthers, a volume and tuning knob would be a step up over the slider-type controls. At least the controls for the audio/info on the steering wheel are easy to use.
Which is good because there’s plenty of tech to love, including navigation and audio with voice control, Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM with 360L, Qi wireless charging (updated to 15W for 2025 for improved charging and cooling!), and USB-C ports with 45-watt fast charging.
Special nod goes to the excellent 400-watt, 12-channel Harmon Kardon premium audio system including an innovative center channel speaker, tweeters and woofers in each door, two effects speakers in the D-pillars, a center speaker in the dash, and a subwoofer in the rear. Wow!
While we like sitting up front, the rear seats are incredibly spacious, with limo-like legroom, superb headroom and impressive shoulder space. With the rear seats up the cargo space is equally huge, and the seats fold flat to create a massive cargo hold.
Smooth Operator
The Atlas makes the most of its size to give you a plush driving experience – in typical VW style.
Last year saw a shift from the previous choice of a 4-cylinder or VR6 6-cylinder to a one-size fits all, all-new 2.0-liter, turbo 4-cylinder. And it’s a sweetheart of an engine with 269 horsepower, and 273 lb.-ft of torque. And with a combined 21 mpg EPA it’s efficient as well.
This is very much in the family of VW/Audi turbo 4’s, and starts with a nice burble, and pulls super smoothly with just enough snarl to make it fun to run it up through the gears. For a big vehicle, the engine pulls surprisingly hard and it’s easy to zip around.
Helping that zip is an 8-speed automatic that’s quick to shift, and using the paddle shifters in Sport Mode gives ultra-quick response. Honestly, it’s probably sportier than most buyers will use, but we appreciate that VW throws in a snappy powertrain. To tailor your drive, you’ve got a selection drive modes, including Eco, Comfort, Sport, Custom, and Snow. All-wheel-drive models like our tester also add an Offroad mode.
The rest leans more towards luxury than sport, and the big VW rides smoothly, confidently and impressively quietly. It has that typical VW light, precise touch in the steering, and a slickness to all the controls that just feel like money well spent.
With our tester’s 4Motion AWD you have plenty of grip in the corners, and if you want to hustle the Atlas, it’s up for it – it has that great European road feel that you’ll pay lots more for in an Audi, BMW or Mercedes that makes just about any drive a great experience. And with that hugely spacious interior long trips would be a piece of cake.
Adding to the comfort, the IQ.DRIVE system is standard on all trims for 2025 and includes Travel Assist (semi-automated driving assistance), Forward Collision Warning and Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Monitoring, Rear Traffic Alert, Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go; Lane Assist and Emergency Assist. Atlas has got your back!
Big Value
The Atlas Cross Sport also features attractive pricing. Starting at $37,190 for the SE model you get impressive style, space and performance for the buck. Our tester represents the whole enchilada, SEL Premium R-Line model, and fully loaded it starts at $52,195. With no options available and $1,425 for Destination, we rang the bell at $53,620.
Competition is varied, but we love the new Toyota Land Cruiser, and while the price starts out competitively, fully loaded, the big Toy comes in at a much more expensive $68,760. Those with European tastes should probably look at the Volvo XC60 at $59,045 – it’s a bit more than the VW, but it is gorgeous inside and out. Certainly, worth a test drive.
Great sporty style, a huge interior, loads of tech and European road manners, the 2025 VW Atlas Cross Sport delivers big enjoyment in every way!
Ben Lewis grew up in Chicago, and after spending his formative years driving sideways in the winter – often intentionally – moved to sunny Southern California. He now enjoys sunny weather year-round — whether it is autocross driving, aerobatics, and learning to surf.