2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport vs 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, despite its decade-old design, maintained a timeless appeal with its traditional Jeep styling cues, such as the 7-slot grille and trapezoidal fenders. Its balanced appearance made it suitable for both rugged trails and upscale settings, appealing to a diverse range of buyers across various demographics. The Grand Cherokee's design was versatile, transcending social class and making it attractive to a wide audience.

In contrast, the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport adopted a more modern aesthetic, borrowing much of its sheet metal from the regular Atlas but with a lower roofline and aggressively raked rear hatch. This design aimed to blend SUV ruggedness with car-like features, though the styling was sometimes seen as an odd mix. The fake exhaust tips on the rear bumper of the test vehicle were considered tacky, detracting from its overall appeal. Despite its large footprint, the Cross Sport's design choices, such as the steeply sloping roofline, compromised rear headroom, making it less practical for taller passengers.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee came equipped with a standard 295-horsepower, 3.6-litre V6 engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain provided satisfying acceleration and achieved a fuel consumption rating of 11.3 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, according to Natural Resources Canada. For those seeking more power, three V8 engine options were available, including the 5.7-litre “Hemi” V8 with 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, the 6.4-litre “Hemi” V8 in the SRT with 475 hp and 470 lb-ft, and the supercharged 6.2-litre V8 in the Trackhawk, delivering a staggering 707 hp and 645 lb-ft of torque. The Grand Cherokee's off-road capabilities were highlighted by the Trailhawk model, equipped with all-terrain tires, skid plates, and advanced 4WD systems.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered two powertrain options: a standard 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four engine producing 235 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, and an optional 3.6-litre VR6 engine with 276 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The VR6 engine provided lively acceleration from a stop, but midrange performance was less impressive. The Cross Sport's ride quality was criticized for being harsh, with noticeable wind and tire noise in the cabin. Despite its "Sport" moniker, the SUV exhibited significant body roll and loose steering, making it feel more like a truck than a sporty crossover.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered seating for five and provided 1,028 litres of cargo space behind the backseat, expanding to 1,934 litres with the backseat folded down. The interior featured heated and 8-way power-adjustable front seats, though ventilated seats were not available in the Limited X trim. The thick, leather-wrapped steering wheel and padded armrests added to the comfort. Rear passengers enjoyed adequate legroom and amenities like air conditioning vents and USB ports. Interior storage was decent, with a handy tray in the centre console and sizable door-panel bins.

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, the steeply sloping roofline compromised rear headroom, making it less accommodating for taller passengers. Cargo space was generous, with 1,141 litres available with the rear seats in place and 2,203 litres with them folded. The interior featured a 60/40 split-folding second-row seat with a 14-degree backrest recline. Storage solutions included cargo nets, cupholders, and a decent-sized centre console.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee featured the Uconnect infotainment system, known for its speed, graphics, and ease of use. The Limited X trim included an 8.4-inch touchscreen display, navigation, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. A 4G LTE WiFi data plan was available, supporting up to eight devices. The test vehicle had an optional 9-speaker Alpine audio system, though the 19-speaker Harman Kardon system offered superior sound quality. Unique to Jeep's Uconnect was the Off-Road Pages app, providing valuable information for off-roading adventures.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered two infotainment systems: the MIB2 system with a 6.5-inch touchscreen on the base Trendline trim and the MIB3 system with an 8-inch touchscreen on higher trims. Both systems included USB-C ports, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity. The MIB3 system added multiple-device pairing and updated voice recognition. Execline models featured the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit, a 10-inch reconfigurable display, and a 12-speaker Fender audio system. The Digital Cockpit allowed for customizable gauge displays, while analog controls provided easy access to basic functions.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered three collections of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS). ProTech I, standard on all trims, included a reversing camera, parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. ProTech II added low-speed forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. Advanced ProTech II included full-speed forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, semi-autonomous parking assist, and rain-sensing wipers. Despite these features, the Grand Cherokee received a 4-star overall rating from the NHTSA and mixed ratings from the IIHS.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport earned top "Good" scores in all IIHS crash tests, with mixed headlight ratings. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall rating, with five stars for side crash tests and four stars for frontal and rollover tests. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitor, and rear cross-traffic alert. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and parking assist. Unique to the Cross Sport were the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System and Intelligent Crash Response System, enhancing safety in the event of a crash.