2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport vs 2020 Honda CR-V

The 2020 Honda CR-V, part of Honda's fifth generation of compact crossovers, had a design that was both familiar and enjoyable. Its exterior styling was characterized by soft, curvy lines that gave it a car-like appearance, reminiscent of Honda's sedan lineup. The CR-V's design leaned more towards a station wagon than an SUV, making it a modern choice for family transportation. However, the interior was a mix of textures and materials, with upscale touches like wood-look trim and leather upholstery clashing with lower-quality plastics. This contrast reminded drivers that even the pricier CR-V models were essentially upgraded versions of a commodity car rather than true premium products.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport shared much of its sheet metal with the regular Atlas but featured a lower roofline and aggressively raked rear hatch, giving it a unique blend of SUV ruggedness and car-like features. However, some design elements, like the fake exhaust tips, were considered tacky. The Cross Sport was slightly shorter and lower than the seven-seat Atlas, with the same wheelbase, and rode on VW's MQB platform. It came with standard LED exterior lighting and various wheel options, with the R-Line package adding sportier exterior styling features. Inside, the Cross Sport had a minimalist design that was visually appealing but let down by subpar materials, with a mix of hard and shiny plastics that felt cheap.

The 2020 Honda CR-V was equipped with a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine across all grades, producing 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), this powertrain was well-suited to the CR-V. While CVTs often have a reputation for sluggishness, Honda's engineers managed to create a responsive and fuel-efficient system. The CR-V's road manners were excellent, with a car-like demeanor, nimble handling, and minimal body roll. Its lightweight design contributed to its agility and fuel efficiency, with FWD models rated at 7.7 litres per 100 kilometres combined and AWD models at 8.1.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered two powertrain options: a standard 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four engine and an optional 3.6-litre V6 engine. The turbo-four produced 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, while the V6 delivered 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The VR6 engine provided lively acceleration, but midrange performance was lacking. The Cross Sport's ride quality was subpar, with noticeable bumps and potholes, and the cabin allowed in wind and tire noise. Despite its "Sport" name, the Cross Sport handled like a truck, with significant body roll and loose steering.

The 2020 Honda CR-V was known for its masterful packaging, offering a roomy cabin comparable to the Volkswagen Tiguan without feeling oversized. It provided excellent head- and legroom for both the driver and passengers, thanks to its optimal seating position and low cowl. The cargo compartment was spacious, with a two-position load floor allowing for versatile storage options. Clever storage solutions, such as a deep centre console and large door pockets, made the CR-V easy to live with.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport boasted competitive interior space for a two-row midsize crossover, with ample front-seat and rear-seat legroom. However, rear headroom was limited due to the sloping roofline. Cargo space was above average, with 1,141 litres with the rear seats in place and 2,203 litres with the seats folded. The Cross Sport featured standard 60/40 split-folding rear seats and various storage options, including a centre console and second-row armrest with cupholders.

The 2020 Honda CR-V's infotainment system was showing its age, with a standard 7-inch touchscreen that felt small compared to competitors. The system lacked hard buttons, making it challenging to operate, and even Apple CarPlay and Android Auto felt tacked on. However, the CR-V offered plenty of USB ports and a wireless phone charger on higher trims.

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

The 2020 Honda CR-V came standard with the "Honda Sensing" suite of safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. It earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, with some caveats for lower trims.

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