2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport vs 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee was a testament to timeless design, maintaining its appeal over a decade after its debut. It combined rugged utility with upscale sophistication, featuring big wheels and flared fenders that gave it a balanced and artistic look. This design contributed significantly to its success, as it defied easy categorization, fitting into mainstream, luxury, and performance SUV categories. The model lineup ranged from the affordable Laredo and Limited trims to the upscale Overland and Summit, with high-performance SRT and Trackhawk models and the off-road-ready Trailhawk.

In contrast, the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport carried over much of the regular Atlas's design but with a lower roofline and aggressively raked rear hatch, giving it a crossover coupe-like appearance. This styling was a mix of SUV ruggedness and car-like features, with some elements like fake exhaust tips appearing tacky. The Cross Sport was shorter and lower than the seven-seat Atlas, sharing the same wheelbase and platform. It featured standard LED lighting and various wheel options, with the R-Line package adding sportier styling elements. Inside, the minimalist design was functional but let down by subpar materials, with a mix of dark colours that didn't provide a welcoming feel.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee came standard with a 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine, delivering 295 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It could tow up to 2,818 kilograms and offered an optional 5.7-litre Hemi V8 with 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, boasting a best-in-class towing capacity of 3,300 kg. The V8 featured cylinder deactivation technology for improved efficiency, though fuel consumption remained high. The Grand Cherokee's Quadra-Trac II 4WD system and Quadra-Lift air suspension provided excellent off-road capabilities, while its tight turning radius and responsive brakes made it agile in various driving conditions.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered a standard 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four engine with 235 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, and an optional 3.6-litre VR6 engine with 276 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The VR6 provided livelier acceleration but lacked midrange power, and the transmission was slow to react. The Cross Sport's ride quality was poor, with noticeable bumps and noise, and it handled like a truck with significant body roll. The VR6 model had a towing capacity of 2,268 kg, while the four-cylinder model could tow 907 kg. The Cross Sport's AWD system included multiple drive modes and 20.3 cm of ground clearance, but it wasn't as capable off-road as the Grand Cherokee.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit featured a luxurious interior with quilted leather seats and leather-wrapped panels. The front seats offered eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation, though the controls were embedded in the infotainment system, causing some distraction. The rear seat was comfortable but had limited legroom, and the optional rear-seat entertainment system added to a sense of claustrophobia. Cargo space was 1,028 litres behind the rear seats and 1,934 litres with them folded, with practical storage solutions like grocery bag hooks and a power liftgate.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered competitive interior space, with ample front-seat and rear-seat legroom, though rear headroom was limited due to the sloping roofline. Cargo space was 1,141 litres with the rear seats in place and 2,203 litres with them folded, featuring a 60/40 split-fold and 14-degree backrest recline. The Cross Sport included various storage solutions, such as cargo nets, cupholders, and a centre console, with higher trims adding a foot-activated tailgate.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee featured the Uconnect 4C with Nav infotainment system, offering a user-friendly experience with fast response times and pleasing graphics. It included navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The system's voice recognition worked well, and the Summit trim came with a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. The Grand Cherokee was "tech lite," focusing on essential features and advanced driving assistance systems.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered two infotainment systems: the MIB2 with a 6.5-inch touchscreen for the base trim and the MIB3 with an 8-inch touchscreen for higher trims. Both systems included USB-C ports, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. The MIB3 added multiple-device pairing and updated voice recognition, though it was slow to load. The Execline trim featured a Digital Cockpit display and a 12-speaker Fender audio system. The Cross Sport's analog controls made it user-friendly for less tech-savvy buyers.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA for 4WD models, but its IIHS ratings were less impressive, with "Marginal" and "Poor" ratings in certain crash tests. The Summit trim included a comprehensive suite of safety features, such as adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The Grand Cherokee also offered parking assistance and a backup camera.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport earned "Good" scores in IIHS crash tests, with mixed headlight ratings and a "Marginal" rating for child-seat anchor ease of use. The NHTSA gave it a five-star overall rating. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring, with optional features like adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist. The Cross Sport also had unique features like the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System and Intelligent Crash Response System.