2021 Cadillac XT5 vs 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 showcased a significant transformation from its predecessors, reflecting Cadillac's efforts to reclaim its status as a refined luxury brand. The XT5's exterior design was marked by a snub-nosed front and distinct trim level features, carried over from the 2020 model's 40 upgrades. Standard LED lights accentuated its robust proportions, while the interior boasted a more upscale design compared to its GM sibling, the Chevrolet Blazer. The Premium Luxury trim, in particular, exuded elegance with its cut and sewn leather, natural wood, and carbon fibre accents, offering a level of sophistication that had been missing from Cadillac's lineup for years.

In contrast, the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport retained much of the regular Atlas's design but with a lower roofline and aggressively raked rear hatch, giving it a unique crossover coupe appearance. However, this styling choice resulted in a mix of SUV ruggedness and car-like features that some found odd. The interior followed VW's minimalist design ethos, but the materials used were subpar, with rubbery leather and hard plastics detracting from the overall feel. Despite the leather upholstery and contrast stitching, the cabin felt cheap, and the dark colour scheme did not provide a welcoming atmosphere. The flat-bottom steering wheel seemed out of place for a non-performance model.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 offered three trim levels: Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Sport. The Luxury and Premium Luxury trims came standard with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. An optional 3.6-litre V6 engine, producing 310 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque, was available for the Premium Luxury trim and standard on the Sport trim. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, which was smooth when upshifting but clunkier when downshifting. The XT5's throttle response was immediate with the V6, though it could benefit from more low-end torque. Fuel efficiency was competitive, with the AWD V6 achieving 9.4 litres per 100 kilometres during testing, better than the expected 11.2 L/100 km.

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 mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The VR6 engine provided lively acceleration from a stop, but midrange acceleration was less impressive. The ride quality was among the worst in modern crossovers, with noticeable bumps and potholes, and the cabin allowed in significant wind and tire noise. The VR6 models had a towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms, while the four-cylinder models were rated for 907 kilograms.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 offered seating for four adults in two rows, with a three-seat bench in the second row. While legroom was good, rear headroom was limited for taller passengers. The front seats, though visually appealing, were not as comfortable on long trips due to a hard bottom cushion. The XT5 provided 850 litres of cargo space, which was less than some competitors but featured a deep rear cargo area. The cargo-management system allowed for secure storage, and a hands-free programmable height power liftgate was available. However, small-item storage was limited, with no convenient place for a smartphone within eyesight.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport boasted competitive interior space for a two-row midsize crossover, with ample front-seat and rear-seat legroom. However, rear headroom was compromised by the sloping roofline. Cargo space was above average, with 1,141 litres with the rear seats in place and 2,203 litres with the seats folded. The second-row seats featured a 60/40 split-fold and 14-degree backrest recline. The Cross Sport included various storage solutions, such as cargo nets, cupholders, and a centre console, along with a foot-activated tailgate on higher trims.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 featured a streamlined infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen housed in Piano Black plastic, offering haptic feedback. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, an eight-speaker Bose sound system, and a subscription-based 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. A rotary controller on the centre console aided in system navigation, though it crowded the screen's aesthetics. The XT5 also offered a rear camera mirror, a digital instrument cluster, and an available head-up display for essential driving information.

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, Bluetooth, and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. The MIB3 added multiple-device pairing and updated voice recognition. The Execline trim featured the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit, a 10-inch reconfigurable display, and a 12-speaker Fender audio system. However, the MIB3 system was slow to load, and the voice recognition required specific prompts.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 offered a range of safety features, including front automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-change alert with side blind-zone alert. Not all features were standard across trims. The XT5 also included Night Vision technology for enhanced nighttime drivability and General Motors' Teen Driver software for monitoring driving habits.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport received top "Good" 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, blind-spot monitor, and rear cross-traffic alert. 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, offering automated lane centring and emergency stopping capabilities.