2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was a highly anticipated addition to Ford's lineup, serving as a smaller sibling to the iconic Bronco. It drew inspiration from the original 1966-1996 Bronco, aiming to compete with rugged models like the Jeep Wrangler and Toyota 4Runner. However, the Bronco Sport was designed as a unibody crossover, focusing more on urban driving with the capability for weekend adventures. Its design featured a modern retro aesthetic, reminiscent of Land Rover models, with short front and rear overhangs for improved off-road angles. The vehicle's exterior was marked by bold "BRONCO" lettering on the grille and tailgate, with minimal Ford branding.

The interior of the Bronco Sport was rugged yet tasteful, with a clean design and practical features. It offered a range of wheel options, from 17-inch to 18-inch, depending on the trim level, and the interior materials improved with each model upgrade. The cabin included an 8-inch infotainment screen, a rotary gear selector, and various storage solutions. The seating options ranged from cloth to leather-trimmed, heated sport-contour bucket seats, with practical flooring choices to suit different needs.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport shared much of its design with the regular Atlas but featured a lower roofline and a more aggressively styled rear hatch. This design choice gave it a crossover coupe appearance, blending SUV ruggedness with car-like features. However, some elements, like the fake exhaust tips, were considered less appealing. The Cross Sport was slightly shorter and lower than the seven-seat Atlas, maintaining the same wheelbase and riding on VW's MQB platform.

Inside, the Cross Sport offered a minimalist design typical of VW, but the materials used were not up to par, even with leather upholstery and contrast stitching. The interior felt cheap, with hard and shiny plastics that were prone to smudges. The colour scheme was dark and uninviting, and the flat-bottom steering wheel seemed out of place for a non-performance model. Despite these drawbacks, the Cross Sport provided ample interior space, with competitive front and rear legroom, although rear headroom was compromised by the sloping roofline.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered two engine options, each tied to specific trim levels. The Base, Big Bend, and Outer Banks trims were equipped with a 1.5-litre EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder engine, delivering 181 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque. The Badlands model featured a more powerful 2.0-litre EcoBoost turbo four-cylinder engine, producing 245 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. All models came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, along with a terrain management system offering up to seven G.O.A.T. modes for various terrains.

The Bronco Sport excelled off-road, thanks to its short wheelbase, independent suspension, and generous ground clearance. It was also well-suited for everyday driving, with the 2.0-litre engine providing a better match for its character. The 1.5-litre engine, while capable, could feel strained under pressure.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport shared its powertrain options with the seven-seat Atlas. It came standard with a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four engine, producing 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque on premium fuel. An optional 3.6-litre VR6 engine was available, delivering 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and featured start-stop systems for improved fuel efficiency.

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. The Cross Sport's ride quality was subpar, with noticeable bumps and noise intrusion. Despite its "Sport" designation, the vehicle handled more like a truck, with significant body roll and loose steering. The VR6 models had a towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms, while the four-cylinder models could tow 907 kilograms.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was designed with active buyers in mind, offering features that catered to outdoor enthusiasts. Its cargo space was engineered to accommodate two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes, and Ford provided a wide range of accessories for transporting various gear. The roof could support up to 68 kilograms, and the vehicle's towing capacity varied between 907 and 997 kilograms, depending on the engine.

The cargo area featured a flip-up rear glass and an optional cargo management package with a slide-out work table and other useful additions. The front cabin offered ample storage compartments, though visibility could be an issue for taller drivers. The seating position was not ideal for off-road visibility, but overall, the interior was practical and well-organized.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport boasted a spacious interior, with front and rear legroom among the best in its class. However, the sloping roofline compromised rear headroom. Cargo space was generous, with 1,141 litres available with the rear seats up and 2,203 litres with them folded. The second-row seats featured a 60/40 split-fold and a 14-degree backrest recline, with higher trims offering a foot-activated tailgate.

The Cross Sport included various storage solutions, such as cargo nets, cupholders, and bins. The centre console was decently sized, and the second-row armrest had integrated cupholders. A large cubbyhole ahead of the shifter provided space for charging devices.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was equipped with the latest infotainment systems, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen with SYNC 3, compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. FordPass Connect offered a subscription-based 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The base audio system included six speakers, with a Bang & Olufsen sound system available on higher trims. The terrain management system's G.O.A.T. modes provided tailored settings for different driving conditions, and trail control technology assisted with off-roading.

Intelligent access with push-button start was standard on all trims except the Base model. Higher trims offered heated and leather-wrapped steering wheels, along with a digital instrument panel.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport featured two infotainment systems. The base Trendline trim retained the MIB2 system with a 6.5-inch touchscreen, while other trims received the new MIB3 system with an 8-inch touchscreen. Both systems included USB-C ports, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. The MIB3 system added multiple-device pairing and updated voice recognition.

The Execline trim offered the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit, replacing analog gauges with a 10-inch display, and a 12-speaker Fender audio system. The MIB3 system was slow to load, and the voice recognition required specific prompts. The Digital Cockpit allowed for customizable displays, and analog controls simplified basic functions.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport came standard with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of safety features, including pre-collision assist, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and more. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and other advanced features. All models had AWD and a terrain management system with built-in traction control and stability features. The Bronco Sport received top safety ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport earned top scores in IIHS crash tests, though headlight ratings varied. It received a five-star overall rating from NHTSA, with high marks for side crash tests. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist. Unique to VW were the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System and Intelligent Crash Response System. New for 2021 were Travel Assist and Emergency Assist, offering advanced driver aids.