2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport vs 2021 BMW X5

The 2021 BMW X5 was a testament to BMW's renowned craftsmanship, fitting seamlessly into the brand's SUV lineup. Its design, from the iconic kidney grille to the body shape, was unmistakably BMW, offering a sense of familiarity and luxury. The X5's exterior featured full adaptive LED headlights and a choice between xLine and M Sport styling, with the latter providing a sportier appearance through body-colour matched trims and high-gloss black accents. Inside, the X5 maintained the brand's signature interior design, with a mix of leather and soft-touch materials, although the abundance of black plastic was prone to dust and smudges. The M Sport models added unique interior elements, enhancing the sporty feel.

In contrast, the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport adopted a more rugged yet car-like design, with a low roofline and aggressively raked rear hatch. This styling choice, reminiscent of luxury crossover coupes, resulted in a mix of SUV ruggedness and car-like features. The Cross Sport shared its platform with the seven-seat Atlas, maintaining a similar wheelbase but with a shorter and lower profile. Standard LED lighting and a range of wheel options, from 18 to 21 inches, complemented its exterior. The interior followed VW's minimalist design, but the materials felt subpar, with hard plastics and rubbery leather detracting from the overall quality. The choice of dark colours and a flat-bottom steering wheel added to the less welcoming feel.

The 2021 BMW X5 offered a variety of powertrain options, all paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base xDrive40i model featured a 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine, delivering 335 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque, with all-wheel drive as standard. The X5 M50i boasted a twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8, producing 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, while the X5 M reached 600 hp, or 617 hp with the Competition Package. The new xDrive45e plug-in hybrid model combined a 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine with a 24-kilowatt-hour battery, achieving 389 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque, and offering up to 50 kilometres of all-electric range. Despite its power, the X5's steering and handling dynamics were less engaging than expected, with a Lincoln-like feel at higher speeds. The cabin remained quiet, and the suspension absorbed road imperfections well. Charging the hybrid model was convenient, with a five-hour charge time on a Level 2 charger and a total driving range of about 600 kilometres.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport shared its powertrain options with the seven-seat Atlas, featuring a standard 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four engine and an optional 3.6-litre VR6 engine. The turbo-four produced 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, while the VR6 delivered 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 ride quality was among the worst for a modern crossover, with noticeable bumps and road noise. The Cross Sport's handling was truck-like, with significant body roll and loose steering. The VR6 model had a towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms, while the four-cylinder model could tow 907 kilograms. AWD versions included Active Control with multiple drive modes and 20.3 centimetres of ground clearance.

The 2021 BMW X5 made efficient use of space, with front cupholders positioned conveniently and a wireless phone charging pad out of the driver's line of sight. The seating was spacious and comfortable for short trips, though longer journeys revealed a harder seat bottom. The rear seats accommodated two adults comfortably, and an optional third row was available. The climate controls were easy to manage, and the split liftgate with power functionality facilitated loading cargo. The X5's cargo area was spacious, though slightly reduced in the xDrive45e model. However, the rear doors did not open very wide, making it challenging to move children and cargo in and out.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered competitive interior space for a two-row midsize crossover, with ample front-seat and rear-seat legroom. However, the sloping roofline compromised rear headroom, making it less accommodating for taller passengers. Cargo space was above average, with 1,141 litres available with the rear seats in place and 2,203 litres with them folded. The second-row seats featured a 60/40 split-fold and a 14-degree backrest recline. Highline and Execline trims added a foot-activated tailgate. The interior included various storage solutions, such as cargo nets, cupholders, and a centre console, along with a second-row armrest with integrated cupholders.

The 2021 BMW X5 came equipped with a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, along with a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster. Standard features included a 10-speaker sound system, voice recognition, Bluetooth, five USB ports, navigation, HD Radio, satellite radio, automatic climate control, a proximity key, a panoramic sunroof, and remote start. Optional upgrades included a head-up display, quad-zone automatic climate control, a wireless smartphone charger, ventilated and massaging seats, a Wi-Fi hotspot, a 16-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, a 20-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system, rear sunshades, and a dual-panel panoramic roof. The iDrive system required some acclimation but was user-friendly once familiar.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered two infotainment systems. The base Trendline trim featured the MIB2 system with a 6.5-inch touchscreen, while other trims received the MIB3 system with an 8-inch touchscreen. Both systems included USB-C ports, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. 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 MIB3 system was slow to load, and the Fender audio system lacked quality. The Digital Cockpit allowed for customizable displays, and analog controls simplified basic functions.

The 2021 BMW X5 was equipped with a comprehensive suite of standard safety and driver assistance features, including blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, lane departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. A rearview camera was also standard. However, the Driving Assistance Professional Package's adaptive cruise control system had issues with timely reactions to stopped traffic and lane-keeping in bright sunlight. The X5 received nearly all Good ratings from the IIHS and a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, despite being subject to seven recalls.

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 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. Unique to the Cross Sport were the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System and Intelligent Crash Response System. New for 2021, Travel Assist and Emergency Assist offered additional driver aids, though Travel Assist struggled with highway curves.