2021 Honda CR-V vs 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

The 2021 Honda CR-V was often criticized for its generic appearance, blending in with the sea of compact crossovers on the market. Its design featured a few distinguishing elements, such as the grille and some chromed plastic accents, but overall, it didn't stand out in terms of exterior styling. The colour palette was limited, with many shades of grey, black, and white, making it challenging to find more vibrant options like Radiant Red. Inside, the CR-V offered a modern look with angular seat designs and upscale touches like wood panels and chrome, depending on the trim level. However, competitors like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson offered more distinctive styling, especially in mid-tier trims.

In contrast, the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport presented a bold and sporty appearance, particularly in the Execline trim with its 21-inch machined-finish wheels. The removal of the third row and a lowered roofline gave it a coupe-like silhouette, enhancing its upscale look. The Atlas Cross Sport offered six paint colours, with some requiring an additional cost, and interior options like Dark Burgundy over Titan Black added to its premium feel. However, the interior's hard, glossy plastic detracted from the overall quality impression, and the lack of lining in storage areas led to potential rattles. Despite these drawbacks, the Atlas Cross Sport's design was more striking and upscale compared to the CR-V.

The 2021 Honda CR-V was not known for thrilling performance but rather for its smooth and steady acceleration. It featured a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 190 horsepower, with a 0-100 km/h time of around 8 seconds. While not the fastest in its class, it was competitive with other crossovers. The CR-V's continuously variable transmission (CVT) provided a consistent driving experience, though it lacked the engagement of conventional automatic transmissions found in rivals like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available on higher trims, similar to most competitors.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered two engine options: a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder with 235 horsepower and a 3.6-litre V6 producing 276 horsepower. The V6 provided more satisfying performance, especially for towing, with a capacity of 2,268 kilograms. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and VW's 4Motion all-wheel-drive system. The Atlas Cross Sport's ride quality varied, with a firm suspension at lower speeds and a softer feel at higher speeds. While it excelled on highways, urban and suburban roads could be harsh. The V6 engine was more efficient on highways, but the overall driving experience was less refined than expected.

The 2021 Honda CR-V prioritized functionality, offering ample interior space for five passengers and their gear. It boasted over 100 litres more interior volume than the Toyota RAV4 and provided 1,065 litres of cargo space with the rear seats folded. Depending on the trim, the CR-V featured manual, power, or hands-free tailgate options, enhancing convenience. Roof rails were standard on most trims, adding versatility for carrying additional cargo.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport shared its wheelbase and interior dimensions with the larger seven-passenger model, providing exceptional roominess for five adults. Families appreciated the generous rear legroom and features like 10-way power-adjustable front seats, heated rear seats, and a panoramic sunroof. The cargo area offered ample space, with deep wells for securing items. However, the lack of lining in storage areas could lead to rattling. Despite its shorter length and lower roofline, the Atlas Cross Sport accommodated full-size suitcases and additional luggage with ease.

The 2021 Honda CR-V came equipped with a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen infotainment system, offering Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto connectivity. Lower trims had varying speaker setups, while the Touring trim featured a 300-watt audio system with a subwoofer. The EX-L trim and above included Sirius XM and HD radio, with satellite navigation available on higher trims. Charging ports were abundant, with USB and 12-volt outlets throughout the cabin, and the Touring trim introduced wireless phone charging.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport's base Comfortline trim featured a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The infotainment system included SiriusXM satellite radio and wireless smartphone charging. However, user experience issues with the touchscreen and voice recognition were noted. The Execline trim boasted a 12-speaker Fender premium audio system, delivering impressive sound quality. Despite some frustrations, the technology package was comprehensive and competitive.

The 2021 Honda CR-V excelled in safety, earning a five-star NHTSA overall crash test rating and an IIHS Top Safety Pick award. However, it fell short of the highest IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating due to headlight and side crash test scores. Honda's approach to safety was commendable, offering the Honda Sensing system as standard across all trims. This suite included features like a multi-angle rearview camera, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and more. The only feature not standard on the base LX trim was blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, with more advanced options available on higher trims. Standard features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and an automatic post-collision braking system. Adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and rear cross-traffic alert were also included. The Execline trim added semi-autonomous Park Assist and an Area View 360-degree camera system. While the Atlas Cross Sport received favourable crash-test ratings, it did not achieve the highest accolades from IIHS or NHTSA.