2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport vs 2020 Toyota RAV4

The 2020 Toyota RAV4, traditionally a template for compact SUVs, received a bold redesign in 2019, giving it a more angular and rugged appearance. The Adventure trim, introduced the previous year, enhanced its off-roading capabilities with a torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system, multiple driving modes, and 8.6 inches of ground clearance. For 2020, the TRD Off-Road trim took these features further with smaller, lighter matte-black 18-inch alloy wheels, all-terrain tires, and a TRD suspension setup. The TRD Off-Road trim also featured unique wheels, tires, and badges, and the interior was equipped with TRD logos, rubber floor mats, and a rubber cargo mat, contrasting with some inexpensive-looking plastic.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport carried over much of the same design from the regular Atlas but featured a lower roofline and aggressively-raked rear hatch, giving it a mix of SUV ruggedness and car-like features. The Cross Sport was shorter and lower than the seven-seat Atlas but shared the same wheelbase. It came with standard LED exterior lighting and various wheel sizes depending on the trim level. The interior had a minimalist design but was let down by subpar materials, even in the higher SEL Premium trim. The leather upholstery felt rubbery, and the use of hard and shiny plastics detracted from the overall feel. The flat-bottom steering wheel also seemed out of place in a non-performance model.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 was powered by a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. A hybrid version was also available, delivering 219 horsepower and up to 40 mpg in combined driving, though it wasn't offered in the TRD Off-Road trim. The non-turbo, non-hybrid powertrain provided good performance, especially in Sport mode, but a turbocharged engine would have been preferable for high-altitude driving. The 8-speed automatic transmission generally performed well but occasionally struggled with gear selection. The TRD Off-Road model featured a torque-vectoring AWD system, multiple terrain-specific driving modes, and 8.6 inches of ground clearance, making it capable on various surfaces. The test vehicle averaged 23.4 mpg, falling short of the EPA estimate of 27 mpg.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered two engine options: a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four producing 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.6-liter VR6 engine with 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The VR6 engine provided lively acceleration and a pleasant sound but lacked midrange power. The transmission was slow to react but could be manually shifted. The ride quality was poor, with noticeable bumps and potholes, and the cabin let in significant wind and tire noise. The Cross Sport had a 5,000-pound towing capacity with the VR6 engine and AWD, while the four-cylinder models were limited to 2,000 pounds. AWD versions featured multiple drive modes and 8 inches of ground clearance, but the Jeep Grand Cherokee was a better off-road choice.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 offered easy entry and exit, with a low and sporty driving position in the 8-way adjustable driver's seat. The front passenger seat lacked height adjustment but provided good thigh support. The TRD Off-Road trim featured SofTex upholstery, which could trap sweat, but the Weather Package added heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The rear seat provided generous legroom, and interior storage was ample, with a useful dashboard shelf. Cargo space was 37.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 69.8 cubic feet with them folded. The test vehicle also had a robust roof rack and an optional hands-free power liftgate.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered competitive interior space, with ample front-seat and rear-seat legroom. However, rear headroom was limited due to the sloping roofline. Cargo space was 40.3 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 77.8 cubic feet with them folded, which was above average but still behind the Honda Passport. The second-row seats had a 60/40 split-fold and a 14-degree backrest recline. SE with Technology trim levels added a foot-activated tailgate. The interior featured various storage options, including a large center console and a second-row armrest with integrated cupholders.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 featured a user-friendly infotainment system with a 7- or 8-inch touchscreen display, depending on the trim level. The system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM satellite radio, and multiple connected services packages. A 4G LTE WiFi hotspot was available with a free trial period. The TRD Off-Road trim had an 8-inch touchscreen with menu shortcut buttons and knobs for easy use. Upgrades included an embedded navigation system and a JBL premium sound system. The voice-recognition technology was impressive, and the optional Technology Package added wireless smartphone charging, a 360-degree surround-view camera, and a digital rear-view mirror.

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, pinch-to-zoom screens, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity. The MIB3 system added multiple-device pairing and updated voice recognition. Higher trims included additional USB ports, SiriusXM satellite radio, the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrument cluster, and a 12-speaker Fender premium audio system. The MIB3 system was slow to load, and the voice recognition required specific prompts. The Digital Cockpit display was a valuable feature, and analog controls made the touchscreen largely unnecessary for basic functions.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included advanced safety features such as Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, radar adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert with steering assist, front and rear parking assist with automated braking, and blind spot assist with rear cross-traffic alert. The RAV4 also included a free 1-year subscription to Safety Connect services. The IIHS awarded the RAV4 a Top Safety Pick rating for models with full LED, curve adaptive headlights, while other models received a Marginal rating for headlight performance.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport received top "Good" scores in all IIHS crash tests, but with mixed headlight ratings. Higher trims earned a "Good" score, while lower trims were rated "Marginal." The Cross Sport also received a "Marginal" rating for child-seat anchor ease of use. The NHTSA gave the Cross Sport a five-star overall rating, with five stars for side crash tests and four stars for frontal and rollover crash tests. 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, traffic-sign recognition, automatic high beams, parking sensors, and parking assist. The Cross Sport also had unique features like the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System and Intelligent Crash Response System. New for 2021 were Travel Assist and Emergency Assist, available on higher trims.