2021 Cadillac XT5 vs 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

Cadillac was once known for producing some of the most sophisticated vehicles in General Motors’ lineup, but that changed over time. In recent years, Cadillac worked to reclaim its former prestige, with the 2021 Cadillac XT5 reflecting these efforts.

The XT5 underwent significant updates in 2020, receiving 40 enhancements including a new engine option, revised styling, and upgraded technology. These changes carried over to the 2021 model. The SUV’s exterior design featured a more snub-nosed appearance and newfound differentiation between trim levels via an updated features list. The standard LED lights on both the front and rear gave the vehicle a sleek look, highlighting its prominent proportions and sophisticated rear design, in line with Cadillac’s XT series. Twenty-inch wheels came standard across the board.

Inside, the XT5 offered a taste of luxury, though it wasn’t entirely indulgent. The interior design was more upscale compared to its GM stablemate, the Chevrolet Blazer. Horizontal design lines and simple forms replaced the traditional, busier upscale GM design, opting for straightforward materials thoughtfully positioned throughout the cabin. The Premium Luxury trim, in particular, showcased elegance with its cut-and-sewn leather, natural wood, and carbon fiber accents, reminiscent of the Escalade’s level of refinement.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport borrowed extensively from the standard Atlas but featured a lower roofline and an aggressively-raked rear hatch, akin to luxury crossover coupes. However, this blend of SUV ruggedness and car-like features resulted in an unusual mix. The fake exhaust tips integrated into the rear bumper looked particularly tacky on the SEL Premium model we tested.

The Cross Sport was shorter by 5.2 inches and lower by 2.2 inches compared to the seven-seat Atlas, while retaining the same 117.3-inch wheelbase. The vehicle rode on VW’s MQB platform, which was shared with many of the brand’s current models, including the Jetta and Golf.

Standard exterior features included LED lights for headlights, taillights, and daytime running lights. The base trims got 18-inch alloy wheels, while the SE with Technology trim and higher got 20- or 21-inch wheels. The R-Line trim added sportier styling features with unique front and rear bumpers, a fake rear diffuser, and side skirts.

VW’s typical minimalist design defined the interior, which looked nice and functioned well. However, the subpar materials let it down. Our SEL Premium model’s leather upholstery and contrast stitching couldn’t compensate for the overall cheap feel, with interiors dominated by hard and shiny plastics prone to fingerprint smudges. Multiple dark colors failed to create an inviting ambiance, and the flat-bottom steering wheel felt out of place for a non-performance vehicle.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 was available in Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Sport trims. The Luxury and Premium Luxury models came with a standard 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivering 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Buyers had the option to upgrade to a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 310 hp and 237 lb-ft of torque. The V6 was standard on the XT5 Sport.

Both engines were matched with a nine-speed automatic transmission that shifted smoothly when upshifting but felt clunkier when downshifting. In Sport mode, shifts became more jittery both up and down. The V6’s throttle response was immediate, though more low-end torque would have enhanced acceleration confidence.

The XT5 featured a rather seamless engine start-stop technology, though it could disrupt the comfort by shutting down climate control functions. This issue could be mitigated by disabling the function with a button press.

Front-wheel drive (FWD) was standard on the Luxury and Premium Luxury trims, while all-wheel drive (AWD) was optional. The Sport trim came standard with AWD. During a 2,000-mile test, the XT5 AWD achieved approximately 25 mpg, exceeding the EPA-estimated combined fuel economy of 21 mpg for the V6. The turbo-four engine was rated at 23 mpg combined with FWD and 21 mpg with AWD.

The XT5’s fuel economy figures were on par with competitors such as the Infiniti QX50 (25 mpg), Acura RDX (23 mpg), Nissan Murano (23 mpg), and Lexus RX 350 (22 mpg with AWD).

The Cross Sport shared its powertrain options with the seven-seat Atlas. The standard offering included a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine producing 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque (on premium fuel). An optional naturally-aspirated 3.6-liter V6, or VR6, produced 276 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and start-stop systems designed to improve fuel economy.

Equipped with the VR6 engine and AWD, our test vehicle offered better acceleration from a stop compared to the four-cylinder Atlas seven-seater. However, midrange acceleration felt underwhelming, and the transmission was slow to react unless manually shifted. Ride quality in the Cross Sport was among the worst in modern crossovers, with every bump and pothole felt prominently. The cabin also suffered from significant wind and tire noise, diminishing the overall driving experience.

With a 5,000-pound towing capacity, the VR6 models provided decent hauling capabilities, while the four-cylinder models were limited to a 2,000-pound towing capacity. The AWD Cross Sport featured Active Control with multiple drive modes and 8 inches of ground clearance, though its off-road prowess was outclassed by competitors like the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

The Cadillac XT5 comfortably seated four adults across two rows, despite technically being a five-seater. The rear row accommodated three passengers but provided limited headroom for taller occupants. Legroom was ample in both rows, but the front seats proved less comfortable on extended road trips due to hard bottom cushions.

Heated front seats came standard, with the option for either heated or ventilated seats activating upon starting the vehicle based on climate conditions.

Cargo space was reasonable for the XT5’s size, offering 30 cubic feet. Although this was less than competitors like the Nissan Murano and Lincoln Nautilus, the deep rear cargo area was practical, albeit constricted by wheel bump-outs. The cargo-management system allowed for secure storage of loose items, and a programmable height liftgate was available.

Small-item storage was limited, with no ideal place to keep a smartphone within easy reach, small cubbies, and inadequate door handle storage.

The Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport provided a spacious interior, with top-tier front-seat and rear-seat legroom among two-row midsize crossovers. Front headroom was above average, but rear headroom suffered due to the sloping roofline, making it cramped for taller passengers.

Cargo capacity was generous, offering 40.3 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 77.8 cubic feet with them folded. The second-row 60/40 split-fold seats and 14-degree backrest recline added versatility. High trims like the SE with Technology included a foot-activated tailgate.

Standard storage solutions included cargo nets, cupholders, and bins. The large center console and second-row armrest with integrated cupholders were particularly useful. A large cubbyhole ahead of the shifter stored charge ports and held most phones securely.

The Cadillac XT5 featured an elegantly streamlined infotainment system and center stack, giving it a refined aesthetic. The climate control system utilized Piano Black plastic with haptic feedback via hidden-button functionality, which added to the sophisticated design.

The tri-zone automatic climate control's temperature adjustments were managed by a chrome toggle switch but often ran colder than the displayed temperature. The rear seats featured their own set of controls for climate adjustments and offered additional options like a heated steering wheel and heated outboard rear seats.

The standard 8-inch infotainment touchscreen was surrounded by Piano Black and housed various functionalities, removing traditional buttons from the dashboard and center console. The system included one-touch phone pairing, an eight-speaker Bose sound system, Bluetooth, AUX port, wireless charging, and USB ports. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with additional features like a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot and a 14-speaker Bose Performance Series sound system available.

The XT5 featured a rear camera mirror, fully-digital instrument cluster, and an available head-up display (HUD), all designed to enhance the driving experience with minimal distraction.

The VW Atlas Cross Sport featured two infotainment systems. The base S trim carried over the MIB2 system with a 6.5-inch touchscreen, while higher trims adopted 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 features like multiple-device pairing and updated voice recognition. Higher trims included a third USB port, SiriusXM satellite radio, and two additional USB ports for rear passengers. The SEL models and above featured the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit, which replaced analog gauges with a 10-inch reconfigurable display, and the SEL Premium models added a 12-speaker Fender premium audio system.

The MIB3 system didn’t show significant improvements over MIB2, with menus and graphics remaining largely the same and its Fender audio system lacking in sound quality. The Digital Cockpit was a worthy upgrade, offering customizable display configurations and reducing the need for touchscreen use with well-designed analog controls for basic functions.

The XT5 offered a suite of safety features, including front automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-change alert with side blind-zone assist. These features provided adequate alerts without overwhelming the driver. Some features were not available in all trim levels.

Cadillac's Night Vision technology was a notable addition, enhancing visibility of large wildlife and hazards in low-light conditions, proving useful during nighttime and foggy driving.

General Motors’ Teen Driver software allowed parents to limit vehicle features for young drivers and generated a report card on driving habits. A rear-seat reminder and rearview camera were standard.

The VW Atlas Cross Sport earned high marks in IIHS crash tests but received mixed headlight ratings, with only higher trims achieving a “Good” rating. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall rating.

Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert, with optional upgrades like adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and more. The Cross Sport’s unique safety features included the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System and Intelligent Crash Response System.

For 2021, the Cross Sport introduced Travel Assist, enabling automated lane centering up to 95 mph, and Emergency Assist, which automatically slowed the car to a stop if the driver was unresponsive. These features were limited to higher trims but showcased advanced safety capabilities.