2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

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. The Grand Cherokee's design contributed significantly to its success, as it managed to embody the essence of a mainstream, luxury, and performance SUV all at once. The model lineup ranged from the affordable Laredo and Limited trims to the upscale Overland and Summit, with high-performance SRT and Trackhawk versions also available. The Summit trim, in particular, offered a premium appearance with body-colour accents and a luxurious interior featuring premium leather and genuine materials. However, the interior design showed signs of aging, with outdated switchgear and non-flush panel fits.

In contrast, the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered a bold and sporty appearance by removing the third row from the standard Atlas, lowering the roofline, and shortening the length. This resulted in a coupe-like design with a broad-shouldered stance, especially in the Execline trim with 21-inch wheels. The interior was exceptionally roomy, accommodating five adults comfortably, with generous rear legroom and a panoramic sunroof enhancing the sense of space. However, the use of hard, glossy plastics in the interior detracted from the overall quality impression. The Atlas Cross Sport's cargo space was reduced compared to the seven-passenger model, but it still provided ample room for luggage and other items.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee came standard with a 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine, delivering 295 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. It offered a towing capacity of up to 2,818 kilograms and was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. For those seeking more power, the optional 5.7-litre Hemi V8 engine produced 360 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, with a best-in-class towing capacity of 3,300 kilograms. The V8 engine featured cylinder deactivation technology for improved fuel efficiency, although it still consumed 14.1 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. The Grand Cherokee's Quadra-Trac II 4WD system, along with the Quadra-Lift air suspension, provided excellent off-road capabilities and a smooth highway ride. However, the V8 engine's fuel consumption and the bouncy ride on uneven surfaces were notable drawbacks.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered two engine options: a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.6-litre V6 engine producing 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. The V6 engine provided a towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms and was more satisfying to drive, although it had a higher fuel consumption of 12.2 litres per 100 kilometres. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and VW's 4Motion all-wheel-drive system. The Atlas Cross Sport's suspension provided a comfortable highway ride, but it felt harsh on urban roads and too soft on winding roads. The V6 engine performed well in the two-row version, but the drivetrain lacked refinement, and the ride quality was inconsistent.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit featured a luxurious interior with quilted and perforated leather seats, a heated steering wheel, and a Signature Leather-Wrapped Interior Package. The front seats offered eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation, while the rear seat provided comfort with limited legroom for taller adults. The optional rear-seat entertainment system added to the sense of claustrophobia, but large windows and a panoramic sunroof helped alleviate this. The Grand Cherokee offered 1,028 litres of cargo space behind the rear seat, with additional storage bins around the spare tire. Folding the second-row seats increased cargo space to 1,934 litres, although this was relatively modest for a midsize SUV.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport shared its wheelbase and interior dimensions with the larger seven-passenger model, providing exceptional roominess for five adults. The test vehicle featured 10-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, heated rear seats, and a dual-zone automatic climate control system. The panoramic sunroof and rear side-window sunshades enhanced comfort and space. The Atlas Cross Sport offered ample storage space, although the lack of lining in storage areas could lead to rattling and scraping noises. The cargo area provided plenty of space, with deep wells for carrying items and additional storage under the load floor.

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 also provided access to SiriusXM services, including satellite radio and subscription-based Traffic Plus and Travel Link services. The voice recognition technology worked well, and the Summit trim came with a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. However, the Grand Cherokee was considered "tech lite," offering essential features without the latest advancements.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport came standard with the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit, featuring a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and an 8-inch touchscreen with proximity-sensing display. It offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth pairing for two devices, SiriusXM satellite radio, and wireless smartphone charging. The infotainment system provided access to Car-Net remote connectivity, but the user experience was often frustrating. The Execline trim included a 12-speaker Fender premium audio system, which delivered excellent sound quality. However, the overall technology experience was marred by interaction issues with the touchscreen and voice recognition.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA for 4WD models, but the 2WD version received a four-star rating due to a three-star rollover resistance rating. The Grand Cherokee's performance in IIHS testing was less impressive, with "Marginal" and "Poor" ratings in small-overlap frontal-impact collisions. The Summit trim included a comprehensive suite of safety features, such as adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assistance. The ParkSense parking assistance system and backup camera with guidance lines were also included.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered a range of safety features across its trim levels, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and an automatic post-collision braking system. All models in Canada came with adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Execline trim added adaptive LED headlights, a semi-autonomous Park Assist system, and an Area View 360-degree camera system. The Atlas Cross Sport received favourable crash-test ratings, although it did not earn the highest accolades from the IIHS or NHTSA.