2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport vs 2021 BMW X5

The 2021 BMW X5 showcased BMW's signature high-quality craftsmanship. It was unmistakably a BMW, from its kidney grille to its body shape, ensuring it stood out as part of BMW's true SUV range. The X5 featured full adaptive LED headlights, with xLine models boasting matte aluminum grilles and satin aluminum finishes, while M Sport models had sportier, body-color-matched trims. The interior, though filled with familiar BMW parts, offered plenty of leather and soft-touch materials, despite an abundance of dust-collecting black plastic.

In contrast, the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport carried over much of the regular Atlas's design but with a lower roofline and aggressively-raked rear hatch. This gave it a mix of SUV ruggedness and car-like features. The Cross Sport was shorter and lower than the seven-seat Atlas, riding on the same MQB platform. It featured standard LED exterior lighting and various wheel sizes depending on the trim. The interior had a minimalist design but was let down by subpar materials, with hard and shiny plastics that felt cheap and were prone to smudges.

The 2021 BMW X5 offered a range of powertrain options, all paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base X5 sDrive40i/xDrive40i had a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine delivering 335 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque. The X5 M50i featured a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 with 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, while the X5 M boasted 600 hp, increasing to 617 hp with the Competition Package. The new X5 xDrive45e plug-in hybrid achieved 389 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque, with up to 30 miles of all-electric range. The X5's driving dynamics were somewhat disappointing, with steering issues at both low and high speeds. However, the cabin was quiet, and the suspension absorbed road imperfections well. Fuel efficiency varied, with the X5 M being the least efficient at 15 mpg combined, while the xDrive45e achieved 50 MPGe when using both electricity and gas.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport shared its powertrain options with the seven-seat Atlas, featuring a standard 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine with 235 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, and an optional 3.6-liter V6 engine with 276 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The V6 engine provided better acceleration and a pleasant sound but lacked midrange power. The ride quality was poor, with noticeable bumps and potholes, and the cabin let in wind and tire noise. The Cross Sport handled like a truck, with significant body roll and loose steering. The V6 models had a 5,000-pound towing capacity, while the four-cylinder models were limited to 2,000 pounds. AWD versions featured multiple drive modes and 8 inches of ground clearance.

The 2021 BMW X5 made good use of space, with front cupholders conveniently placed and a wireless phone charging pad out of the driver's line of sight. The seating was comfortable for short trips, but the front seats felt hard after a few hours. The rear seats were spacious enough for two adults, and an optional third row was available. The climate controls were easy to manage, and the split liftgate with power functionality made loading cargo easier. 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 difficult to move children and cargo in and out.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered competitive interior space for a two-row midsize crossover. Front-seat and rear-seat legroom were near the top of the class, but rear headroom was limited due to the sloping roofline. Cargo space was above average, with 40.3 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 77.8 cubic feet with the seats folded. 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 Cross Sport featured various storage options, including a large center console and a second-row armrest with integrated cupholders.

The 2021 BMW X5 came with a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, a 10-speaker sound system, voice recognition, Bluetooth, five USB ports, navigation, HD Radio, satellite radio, automatic climate control, proximity key, and a panoramic moonroof. Optional features included remote start, a head-up display, quad-zone automatic climate control, a wireless smartphone charger, massaging seats, a Wi-Fi hot spot, a 16-speaker Harman Kardon premium 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 S trim had the MIB2 system with a 6.5-inch touchscreen, while other trims featured the new MIB3 system with an 8-inch touchscreen. Both systems included USB-C ports, pinch-to-zoom screens, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity. MIB3 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 allowed for customizable gauge configurations, and analog controls made basic functions easy to manage.

The 2021 BMW X5 came with a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, rain-sensing windshield wipers, fatigue and focus alert, lane departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. However, the Driving Assistance Professional Package had issues with adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping systems, particularly in sunny conditions. The X5 received nearly all Good ratings from the IIHS and a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, despite being the subject of seven recalls.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport earned top Good scores in all IIHS crash tests, with mixed headlight ratings. Higher trims received a Good headlight rating, while lower trims were rated Marginal. The Cross Sport also received a Marginal rating for child-seat anchor ease of use. The NHTSA awarded 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. 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, available on higher trims.