2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport vs 2020 Subaru Outback

The 2020 Subaru Outback maintained its reputation for utility, safety, and performance, with a few subtle yet significant enhancements. Built on Subaru’s Global Platform, it boasted a 70% increase in structural rigidity. The base 2.5-litre engine, though seemingly unchanged, featured 90% new parts, while higher trims offered a 2.4-litre turbocharged engine. Externally, changes were minimal, focusing on head- and taillights, but the interior saw the introduction of an 11.6-inch touchscreen in most trims. The innovative DriverFocus technology, typically found in luxury brands, aimed to enhance safety by monitoring driver alertness and adjusting settings via facial recognition. The Outback was available in seven trims, with the XT versions featuring the turbo engine, and offered a range of features from heated seats to advanced safety systems.

In contrast, the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport shared much of its design with the regular Atlas but featured a lower roofline and a more aggressive rear hatch. This design choice, reminiscent of luxury crossover coupes, resulted in a mix of SUV ruggedness and car-like features. The Cross Sport was slightly shorter and lower than its seven-seat counterpart, maintaining the same wheelbase. Standard features included LED lighting and various wheel options, with the R-Line package adding sportier styling elements. Inside, the minimalist design was functional but marred by subpar materials, with leather upholstery and contrast stitching failing to elevate the overall feel. The interior colour scheme was dark and uninviting, and the flat-bottom steering wheel seemed out of place for a non-performance model.

The 2020 Subaru Outback offered two engine options: a 2.5-litre engine with 182 horsepower and a 2.4-litre turbocharged engine producing 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a CVT, which Subaru tuned to mimic a traditional automatic transmission, minimizing the typical CVT drawbacks. The Outback's symmetrical AWD system provided consistent power delivery and enhanced safety by being active at all times. With 22.1 cm of ground clearance, the Outback was capable off-road, though not to the extent of a Jeep. The Outdoor XT trim added features like hill-descent control and an upgraded X-Mode for improved off-road performance.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four engine with 235 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, and a 3.6-litre VR6 engine producing 276 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The VR6 engine provided lively acceleration from a stop but lacked midrange power. The ride quality was poor, with noticeable bumps and pothole impacts, and the cabin was noisy. The Cross Sport's handling was truck-like, with significant body roll and loose steering. The VR6 models had a towing capacity of 2,268 kg, while the four-cylinder models could tow 907 kg. AWD versions featured Active Control with multiple drive modes and 20.3 cm of ground clearance.

The 2020 Subaru Outback excelled in functionality, offering 920 litres of cargo space, expandable to 2,144 litres with the rear seats folded. The increase in interior space was attributed to a wider rear wheel area. The Outback provided ample legroom and headroom, even for taller passengers, and its design prioritized visibility. However, the rear quarters had a significant blind spot, which could be mitigated with blind-spot monitoring.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered competitive interior space, with excellent front-seat and rear-seat legroom. However, rear headroom was limited due to the sloping roofline. Cargo space was 1,141 litres with the rear seats up and 2,203 litres with them folded, slightly less than the Honda Passport. The interior featured standard 60/40 split-folding rear seats and various storage options, including a centre console and second-row armrest with cupholders.

The 2020 Subaru Outback featured an 11.6-inch touchscreen, which was visually appealing but suffered from lag across various functions. The system's climate-control functions were somewhat buried, and the camera resolution was subpar. Despite these issues, the potential for improvement was evident.

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 system was slow to load, and the voice recognition required specific prompts.

The 2020 Subaru Outback's safety features were a mixed bag. While the standard safety suite was impressive, the DriverFocus system was problematic, frequently issuing unnecessary alerts. Subaru's EyeSight system, though standard, could be obstructed by environmental factors, causing it to deactivate.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport received top scores in IIHS crash tests, with mixed headlight ratings. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall rating. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist. Unique to the Cross Sport were the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System and Intelligent Crash Response System. New for 2021 were Travel Assist and Emergency Assist, though Travel Assist struggled with highway curves.