2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport vs 2021 Genesis GV80

The 2021 Genesis GV80, as a new entrant in the SUV market, was not constrained by a legacy of design expectations, allowing it to innovate while still aligning with the brand's sedan lineup. The GV80 showcased a sophisticated design with a long hood, short front overhang, and a distinctive trapezoidal grille with a diamond mesh pattern. Its exterior was further enhanced by the signature "Quad Lamp" LED headlight array and large aluminum-alloy wheels. The interior of the GV80 was a testament to luxury, featuring a sleek dashboard with minimal controls, a 14.5-inch high-definition display, and high-quality materials like real wood and leather, creating a refined and spacious environment.

In contrast, the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport retained much of the Atlas's design but with a sportier, coupe-like silhouette. Its styling was a mix of rugged SUV elements and car-like features, though some details, like the fake exhaust tips, were less appealing. The Cross Sport was slightly shorter and lower than the seven-seat Atlas, maintaining the same wheelbase. It featured standard LED lighting and a range of wheel sizes, with sportier styling available through the R-Line package. Inside, the Cross Sport offered a minimalist design, but the use of subpar materials detracted from its overall appeal. Despite leather upholstery and contrast stitching, the interior felt cheap, with hard plastics and a lack of welcoming colours.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 offered two engine options: a 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 with 375 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive in Canada. The GV80's ride was enhanced by an electronically controlled suspension with road preview on the 3.5T models, providing a smoother experience. The 2.5T engine was lively but could feel strained under pressure, while the 3.5T was smoother and more powerful, aided by active noise cancellation. Fuel consumption for the 2.5T was rated at 11.3 L/100 km city and 9.5 highway, while the 3.5T was 12.9 city and 10.4 highway.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport shared its powertrain options with the seven-seat Atlas, featuring a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four engine with 235 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, and an optional 3.6-litre VR6 engine producing 276 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The VR6 engine provided a livelier acceleration experience, but midrange power was lacking, and the transmission was slow to respond. The Cross Sport's ride quality was subpar, with noticeable bumps and noise intrusion. It had a towing capacity of 2,268 kg with the VR6 engine and 907 kg with the four-cylinder. The Cross Sport featured multiple drive modes and 20.3 cm of ground clearance, but its off-road capabilities were limited compared to competitors like the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 was a sophisticated vehicle with a centre console and stack that combined technology, design, and ergonomics. It featured a rotary gear selector, a multimedia controller with dual control capability, and capacitive touch buttons for HVAC controls. The second row was spacious and comfortable, with power-adjustable seats and window shades available. The 3.5T models included a third row, increasing passenger capacity to seven, with power-folding seats.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered competitive interior space for a two-row midsize crossover, with ample front-seat and rear-seat legroom. However, rear headroom was limited due to the sloping roofline. Cargo space was generous, with 1,141 litres available with the rear seats in place and 2,203 litres with them folded. The second-row seats featured a 60/40 split-fold and a 14-degree recline. The Cross Sport included various storage solutions, such as cargo nets, cupholders, and a centre console.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 featured the sixth-generation Genesis UX infotainment system with a 14.5-inch HD touchscreen, supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It offered cloud connectivity, over-the-air updates, and user-configurable profiles. Android users could utilize a digital key function, while the GV80 also provided five years of complimentary Genesis Connected Services. A head-up display and a 12.3-inch 3D digital instrument cluster were available on higher trims, along with a Lexicon Quantum Logic Surround audio system with 21 speakers.

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 a Volkswagen Digital Cockpit and a 12-speaker Fender audio system. The MIB3 system was slow to load, and the voice recognition required specific prompts, but the Digital Cockpit provided a customizable display.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. It came equipped with 10 airbags, including a front-centre airbag, and a suite of driver assistance features such as blind-spot collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, and forward collision-avoidance assist. The GV80 also offered adaptive cruise control with machine learning and highway-driving assist, along with Remote Smart Parking Assist.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport earned top scores in IIHS crash tests, with mixed headlight ratings and a "Marginal" rating for child-seat anchor ease of use. 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 the Execline trim.