2021 Jeep Wrangler vs 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler retained its iconic styling, characterized by circular headlights, a seven-slat grille, exposed bolts and hinges, and protruding bumpers and fenders. Depending on the trim level, the Wrangler could take on different looks with painted or exposed fenders, soft top or hardtop, and other individual styling touches. However, the core elements that made a Wrangler unmistakable remained consistent. Inside, the Wrangler was not designed for comfort but rather for a rugged driving experience. The upright seating position, limited legroom, and manually adjusted seats added to its charm for the right type of driver.

In contrast, the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport featured a low roofline and aggressively-raked rear hatch, giving it a mix of SUV ruggedness and car-like features. The Cross Sport was 5.2 inches shorter and 2.2 inches lower than the seven-seat Atlas, sharing the same 117.3-inch wheelbase. Standard LED exterior lighting and various wheel sizes, depending on the trim, added to its visual appeal. However, the interior, despite its minimalist design, was let down by subpar materials, making it feel less premium than expected.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered a diverse powertrain lineup, including gas, diesel, mild-hybrid, and a Hemi V8. The standard 3.6-liter V6 produced 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, available with either a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission. Other powertrains included a mild-hybrid eTorque variant of the V6, a 270-hp turbocharged four-cylinder, and a 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 with 260 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque. The Wrangler's 4WD systems—Command-Trac, Select-Trac, and Rock-Trac—catered to various off-roading needs. The Rubicon 392, with its 6.4-liter V8 engine, delivered 470 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque, turning the Wrangler into an off-road supercar.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport shared its powertrain options with the seven-seat Atlas, featuring a standard 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four and an optional 3.6-liter VR6 engine. The turbo-four produced 235 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, while the VR6 offered 276 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque. Both engines came with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The VR6 engine provided a livelier acceleration experience, but midrange performance was lacking. The ride quality was subpar, with noticeable bumps and potholes, and the handling felt more like a truck than a sporty SUV. The VR6 models had a 5,000-pound towing capacity, while the four-cylinder models were rated for 2,000 pounds.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered various top options, including the zipper-less Sunrider soft-top, premium black cloth soft top, and classic tan soft top. The Freedom top was a three-piece hardtop with removable panels, available in black or body color. The Sky one-touch power top on the Rubicon 392 provided a convenient way to enjoy the open-air experience. The Wrangler's cabin was functional, with a small center console bin, glovebox, and in-door cargo nets. It offered 31.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and up to 72.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport boasted competitive interior space for a two-row midsize crossover. Front-seat and rear-seat legroom were near the top of the class, but rear headroom was limited due to the sloping roofline. Cargo space was 40.3 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 77.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The second-row seats had a 60/40 split-fold and 14-degree backrest recline. SE with Technology trim levels added a foot-activated tailgate. The interior featured various storage options, including a center console and a second-row armrest with integrated cupholders.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler Sport came with a basic 5-inch screen, while higher trims offered a 7-inch or 8.4-inch Uconnect screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The larger screens had crisp graphics and intuitive layouts. The Rubicon 392 featured a color TFT screen in the instrument panel and an off-road camera nestled between the front grille slats, providing a clear view of the trail ahead.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered two infotainment systems. The base S trim had the MIB2 system with a 6.5-inch touchscreen, while other trims featured the MIB3 system with an 8-inch touchscreen. Both systems included USB-C ports and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity. The MIB3 system added multiple-device pairing and updated voice recognition. Higher trims included the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrument cluster and a 12-speaker Fender premium audio system. However, the MIB3 system was slow to load, and the voice recognition required specific prompts.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered optional modern driver-assistance features, including forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, parking sensors, and blind-spot monitoring. However, lane-departure warning was not available. The Wrangler also featured a live tire-pressure monitoring system, useful for off-roading.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport earned top scores in IIHS crash tests, with mixed headlight ratings. The NHTSA gave it a five-star overall rating. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and parking assist. The Cross Sport also had unique features like the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System and Intelligent Crash Response System. New for 2021 were Travel Assist and Emergency Assist, available on higher trims.