2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport vs 2021 Chevrolet Blazer

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer had a striking exterior that often drew comparisons to high-end vehicles like the Lamborghini Urus. Its aggressive front end, slim-cut windows, and 20-inch wheels gave it a sporty and memorable appearance. The Blazer's design was a significant departure from Chevy's typically utilitarian SUVs, borrowing elements from the Camaro to create a more stylish and dynamic look. However, the interior did not match the exterior's flair, with low-rent materials and an overall dark, unsatisfying cabin that felt out of place for its price point.

In contrast, the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport featured a low roofline and aggressively-raked rear hatch, giving it a mix of SUV ruggedness and car-like features. While the exterior design was bold, it included some questionable elements like fake exhaust tips. Inside, the Cross Sport had a minimalist design that was visually appealing but let down by subpar materials. Despite leather upholstery and contrast stitching in higher trims, the interior felt cheap, with hard and shiny plastics that were prone to smudges. The overall feel was not as welcoming as one might expect from a vehicle of its size.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer offered three engine options, all paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The base 2.5-liter inline-four engine, available on the L and 1LT trims, was underpowered with 193 horsepower and 188 pound-feet of torque. The 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine, standard on the 2LT, 3LT, and Premier trims, provided a more acceptable 227 hp and 258 lb-ft. The preferred engine was the 3.6-liter V6 on the RS trim, delivering 308 hp and 270 lb-ft, making the Blazer feel strong and agile. However, the transmission had calibration issues, particularly in Sport mode, and lacked paddle shifters, which detracted from the overall driving experience. Fuel economy for the AWD V6 was average at 19 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined.

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 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and an optional 3.6-liter VR6 engine with 276 hp and 266 lb-ft. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The VR6 engine provided lively acceleration from a stop but lacked midrange power. The ride quality was poor, with noticeable bumps and potholes, and the cabin let in significant wind and tire noise. The Cross Sport handled like a truck, with lots of body roll and loose steering. The VR6 models had a 5,000-pound towing capacity, while the four-cylinder models were limited to 2,000 pounds.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer comfortably seated four passengers, with low-mounted seats that made entry and exit easy. However, sightlines were poor due to the low roof height, though large side-view mirrors and optional rear-view camera improved visibility. Cargo space was 64 cubic feet with the rear seats folded and 30 cubic feet when raised. The Blazer could tow up to 4,500 pounds with the V6 engine and AWD. Interior controls were user-friendly, with features like movable rings around the air vents for temperature control and a hands-free power tailgate.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered competitive interior space, with ample front-seat and rear-seat legroom. However, rear headroom was limited due to the sloping roofline. Cargo space was 40.3 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 77.8 cubic feet with them folded. The second-row seats had a 60/40 split-fold and 14-degree backrest recline. The Cross Sport included various storage solutions, such as cargo nets, cupholders, and a large center console. SE with Technology trim levels added a foot-activated tailgate.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer came with an 8-inch touchscreen running Chevrolet Infotainment 3, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The RS trim added wireless phone charging, a rear camera washer, LED headlights, 360 cameras, adaptive cruise control, and the Safety Alert Seat. The "Plus" version of the infotainment system included navigation, 4G WiFi, onboard apps, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. Standard driver assists on most trims included forward automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and automatic high beams.

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 Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity. The MIB3 added multiple-device pairing and updated voice recognition. Higher trims 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 Chevrolet Blazer received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and top "Good" ratings from the IIHS in all crash tests, though it scored "Marginal" and "Poor" for headlights. Standard safety features included a driver's knee airbag and enhanced forward emergency braking on top trims. However, it lacked rear emergency braking and GM's inboard side airbag.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport also earned top "Good" scores from the IIHS, with mixed headlight ratings. The NHTSA gave it a five-star overall rating. 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, and traffic-sign recognition. 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.