2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport vs 2020 Jeep Wrangler

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler had a distinctive, rugged appearance that was unmistakable on the road. With its circular headlights, seven-slat grille, and boxy styling, it exuded an industrial look, further emphasized by exposed hinges and bolts. The removable top and doors, along with the fold-down windshield, added to its recreational utility vehicle persona. Inside, the Wrangler maintained a retro look with circular climate vents and gauges, focusing on utility and style despite its ergonomic limitations.

In contrast, the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport featured a low roofline and aggressively-raked rear hatch, giving it a mix of SUV ruggedness and car-like features. The exterior included standard LED lighting and various wheel sizes depending on the trim. However, the interior, despite its minimalist design, was let down by subpar materials and a lack of welcoming feel due to dark color schemes. The flat-bottom steering wheel also seemed out of place for a non-performance model.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler offered a base 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 6-speed manual or an 8-speed automatic transmission. A turbocharged 4-cylinder engine was also available, delivering 270 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The new 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel engine, with 260 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque, provided impressive low-speed performance and better fuel economy, achieving 22 mpg city, 29 highway, and 25 combined. Despite its off-road prowess, the Wrangler's on-road experience was noisy and rough, making it less comfortable for daily commuting.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport came with two engine options: a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four with 235 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, and a 3.6-liter VR6 engine producing 276 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The VR6 engine offered better acceleration and a pleasant sound but lacked midrange power. The ride quality was poor, with noticeable bumps and potholes, and the handling was truck-like with significant body roll and loose steering. The VR6 model had a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, while the four-cylinder model could tow 2,000 pounds.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, a four-door variant, allowed for removable doors and a fold-down windshield. The roof could be retracted or removed, with options for a soft top, hardtop, or the Sky One-Touch roof. With the rear bench lowered, it offered about 72 cubic feet of cargo space, less than other less-capable SUVs. Despite its limited cargo space, the Wrangler's unique features and off-road capabilities made it stand out.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport provided competitive interior space for a two-row midsize crossover. It offered ample front-seat and rear-seat legroom, but rear headroom was limited due to the sloping roofline. Cargo space was 40.3 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 77.8 cubic feet with them folded, slightly behind the Honda Passport. The interior included various storage options and a foot-activated tailgate on higher trims.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler's Sport and Sport S trims featured a basic 5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth and USB connectivity. The Rubicon and Sahara trims came with a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and an optional 8.4-inch Uconnect system with navigation, HD Radio, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The premium audio system in the higher trims provided excellent sound quality even at highway speeds.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered two infotainment systems: the MIB2 with a 6.5-inch touchscreen on the base trim, and the MIB3 with an 8-inch touchscreen on higher trims. Both systems included USB-C ports and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity. The MIB3 added multiple-device pairing and updated voice recognition. Higher trims featured the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit, a 10-inch reconfigurable display, and a 12-speaker Fender audio system, though the latter's sound quality was underwhelming.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler included standard safety features like airbags, electronic roll mitigation, and a backup camera. Optional safety packages added rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-path detection, adaptive cruise control, and full-speed forward-collision warning. These features were particularly useful given the Wrangler's awkward sightlines.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport received top scores in IIHS crash tests but had mixed headlight ratings. It earned a five-star overall rating from NHTSA. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and parking assist. New for 2021 were Travel Assist and Emergency Assist, enhancing driver safety and convenience.