2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport vs 2020 Audi Q7

The 2020 Audi Q7 presented a refined and modern aesthetic, with its updated front and rear styling aligning it with the flagship Q8 model. The test vehicle, a Q7 55 TFSI Technik, featured standard 21-inch wheels that enhanced its visual appeal. Inside, the Q7 adopted a high-tech dashboard and instrumentation from the Q8, replacing most physical controls with three digital displays. The cabin, adorned in Okapi Brown leather and Gray/Brown Fine Grain Ash wood inlays, exuded an upscale and sophisticated vibe, further enhanced by multi-colour ambient lighting.

In contrast, the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport retained much of the regular Atlas's design but with a lower roofline and aggressively raked rear hatch, giving it a unique crossover coupe appearance. However, the styling was a mix of SUV ruggedness and car-like features, with some elements like fake exhaust tips appearing tacky. The interior followed VW's minimalist design, which was functional but let down by subpar materials. Despite leather upholstery and contrast stitching, the cabin felt cheap, with hard and shiny plastics prone to fingerprints. The dark colour scheme and flat-bottom steering wheel added to the lack of a welcoming feel.

The 2020 Audi Q7 55 TFSI was equipped with a new 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 engine, producing 335 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, aimed to improve fuel efficiency by reducing the load on the engine. The Q7's drivetrain, combined with an eight-speed automatic transmission and Quattro AWD, allowed it to accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds. It boasted a towing capacity of nearly 3,500 kilograms and achieved a fuel consumption of 11.2 L/100 km during testing. The adaptive air suspension and Audi Drive Select offered various driving modes, enhancing its agility and comfort on different terrains.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered two engine options: a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four with 235 horsepower and a 3.6-litre VR6 engine producing 276 horsepower. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The VR6 engine provided lively acceleration from a stop but lacked midrange power. The ride quality was subpar, with noticeable bumps and noise intrusion. Despite its "Sport" moniker, the Cross Sport handled like a truck, with significant body roll and loose steering. The VR6 model had a towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms, while the four-cylinder variant was limited to 907 kilograms.

The 2020 Audi Q7, with its three rows of seats, was best suited for five passengers, as the third row was cramped and suitable only for children. With the third row folded, cargo space expanded from 402 litres to 1,010 litres, and further to 1,970 litres with both rear rows down. The Q7 offered comfortable seating for a family of four, with features like heated and ventilated front seats, four-zone climate control, and a panoramic sunroof. However, interior storage was limited, with the centre console and dashboard screen occupying most of the space.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, with its large footprint, offered competitive interior space among two-row midsize crossovers. Front and rear legroom were generous, but rear headroom was compromised by the sloping roofline. Cargo space was above average, with 1,141 litres available with rear seats up and 2,203 litres with them folded. The second-row seats featured a 60/40 split-fold and recline function. The Cross Sport provided ample storage options, including a centre console, cupholders, and a cubbyhole for devices.

The 2020 Audi Q7 introduced the MMI Touch Response system, featuring a 10.1-inch upper touchscreen and an 8.6-inch lower touchscreen. It offered natural voice recognition, handwriting recognition, wireless Apple CarPlay, and navigation. The system was generally intuitive, though dry fingertips occasionally caused unresponsiveness. The Technik trim included a head-up display and a Bose premium sound system, though Audi planned to upgrade to a Bang & Olufsen system in 2021.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered two infotainment systems: the MIB2 with a 6.5-inch touchscreen for the base trim and the MIB3 with an 8-inch touchscreen for higher trims. Both systems included USB-C ports, Bluetooth, and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. The MIB3 added multiple-device pairing and updated voice recognition. The Execline trim featured a Digital Cockpit display and a 12-speaker Fender audio system. However, the MIB3 was slow to load, and the voice recognition required specific prompts.

The 2020 Audi Q7 featured HD Matrix LED headlights, which provided excellent illumination but received a "poor" rating from the IIHS due to glare. It included advanced driving-assistance systems like Emergency Assist, Turn Assist, and Adaptive Cruise Assist. However, the traffic-sign recognition system was problematic, leading to unexpected braking. The Q7 received top safety ratings from the IIHS, except for the headlights.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport earned top "Good" scores in IIHS crash tests, with mixed headlight ratings. It received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist. The Cross Sport also had unique features like the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System and Intelligent Crash Response System.