2021 BMW X7 vs 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

The 2021 BMW X7 was a standout in the luxury SUV segment, often seen navigating the bustling streets of metropolitan Los Angeles. It was known for its superior interior quality, surpassing that of the Cadillac Escalade, and boasted more prestige than the Infiniti QX80 or Lincoln Navigator. The X7 also offered advanced technological features that outshone the Lexus LX 570, and its visual presence was more commanding than the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class. Despite its impressive attributes, the choice of a luxury SUV was often driven by personal emotion, and opinions on the X7 could vary.

The X7 was available in three versions, with the xDrive40i starting at $74,900, the M50i at $99,800, and the Alpina BX7 at $141,300. The test vehicle, an X7 xDrive40i, was equipped with 22-inch aluminum wheels, premium extended leather, and a host of luxury features, bringing its price to $91,745. The X7's styling, characterized by its massive grille, was both bold and appropriate for its size, and its interior shared high-quality materials and technology with the X5, offering a high-tech design and mostly intuitive controls.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, on the other hand, carried over much of the same design as the regular Atlas but featured a lower roofline and an aggressively-raked rear hatch. This design choice gave it a unique blend of SUV ruggedness and car-like features, though some elements, like the fake exhaust tips, were considered tacky. The Cross Sport was shorter and lower than the seven-seat Atlas, sharing the same wheelbase and platform. It came standard with LED exterior lighting and offered various wheel sizes across its trim levels, with the R-Line adding sportier styling features.

Inside, the Cross Sport featured VW's minimalist design, which was functional but let down by subpar materials. Even in the SEL Premium model with leather upholstery, the interior felt cheap, with hard and shiny plastics that were prone to smudges. The color choices were not particularly welcoming, and the flat-bottom steering wheel seemed out of place for a non-performance model. Despite these drawbacks, the Cross Sport offered competitive interior space, with ample front and rear legroom, though rear headroom was compromised by the sloping roofline.

The 2021 BMW X7 xDrive40i was powered by a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine, producing 335 horsepower and 331 lb-ft of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed sport automatic transmission and BMW's xDrive AWD system. The X7 featured BMW's eBoost mild-hybrid technology, which included a 48-volt starter/generator and battery, aimed at improving fuel economy and responsiveness. However, the 2021 model's fuel economy ratings were slightly lower than the previous year, with 19 mpg in the city, 24 mpg on the highway, and 21 mpg combined.

The X7 was capable of accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds, and its driving experience was smooth and serene, thanks to features like the Active Comfort Drive system and Dynamic Handling Package. Despite its nearly 5,400-pound curb weight, the X7 demonstrated effortless speed and fluidity on highways, though it exhibited excessive body motions on winding roads. The SUV's eight-speed transmission was praised for its performance, and the M Sport brakes provided reliable stopping power.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered two engine options: a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four with 235 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, and a 3.6-liter VR6 engine with 276 horsepower 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 transmission was slow to react, though manual shifting was possible using the shift lever.

The Cross Sport's ride quality was criticized for being harsh, with bumps and potholes making their presence felt. The cabin allowed in wind and tire noise, and the SUV's handling was more truck-like, with significant body roll and loose steering. The VR6 models had a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, while the four-cylinder models were rated for 2,000 pounds. AWD versions featured Active Control with multiple drive modes and 8 inches of ground clearance, but the Cross Sport was not considered a strong off-road performer.

The 2021 BMW X7 offered a luxurious interior with features like the Cold Weather Package, Luxury Seating Package, and premium Merino leather upholstery. Front-seat comfort was exceptional, with heated seats, armrests, and steering wheel as standard. The second-row captain's chairs were also comfortable, though the long rear doors could make entry and exit challenging. The X7's four-zone automatic climate control system ensured individual comfort, and the available five-zone system added controls for third-row occupants.

The X7's third-row seat was surprisingly accommodating for adults, though accessing it required some maneuvering of the power seats. Cargo space was limited with the third-row seat in place, but folding it down provided 48.6 cubic feet of space, and with the second-row folded, the maximum cargo capacity was 90.4 cubic feet, which was below class leaders.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered competitive interior space for a two-row midsize crossover, with ample front and rear legroom. However, rear headroom was limited due to the sloping roofline. Cargo space was above average, with 40.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 77.8 cubic feet with the seats folded. The second-row seats featured a 60/40 split-fold and 14-degree backrest recline, and higher trim levels added a foot-activated tailgate.

The Cross Sport provided a variety of storage options, including cargo nets, cupholders, and storage bins. The center console was decently sized, and the second-row armrest included integrated cupholders. A large cubbyhole ahead of the shifter housed charge ports and was designed to hold most phones securely.

The 2021 BMW X7 featured BMW's Live Cockpit Professional digital instrumentation and iDrive 7.0 infotainment system, both with 12.3-inch displays. The iDrive system included Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, enhanced SiriusXM 360L, and Connected Package Pro with real-time traffic and parking information. Wireless smartphone charging, natural voice recognition, and gesture control were also available, though the latter was inconsistent. The head-up display was difficult to see with polarized sunglasses.

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 smartphone connectivity, while MIB3 added multiple-device pairing and updated voice recognition. Higher trims featured the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit, a 12-speaker Fender audio system, and additional USB ports. The MIB3 system was slow to load, and the voice recognition required specific prompts.

The 2021 BMW X7 came standard with a comprehensive suite of safety technologies, with additional features available in the Driving Assistance Professional Package and Parking Assistance Package. The Driving Assistance Professional Package included features like evasive-steering assist, traffic-jam assist, and lane-control assist, which were effective in reducing stress during driving. The Parking Assistance Package added semi-automated parking assist and a surround-view camera.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport received top scores in IIHS crash tests, though headlight ratings varied by trim level. 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. The Cross Sport also featured an Automatic Post-Collision Braking System and Intelligent Crash Response System. New for 2021 were Travel Assist and Emergency Assist, available on higher trims.