2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport vs 2021 Toyota Highlander

The 2021 Toyota Highlander was anything but boring. It stood out in a crowd with its wide headlights, long hood, and assertive trapezoidal grille. The character line along its side, reminiscent of the Supra sports car, and taillights that looked like they came off a Lexus model, gave it a distinctive appearance. The Highlander managed to look longer and lower than its predecessor without sacrificing size. The new XSE trim level added a more aggressive front end, 20-inch wheels with black accents, and a unique front fascia, although it didn’t quite match the sportiness of a Ford Explorer ST.

Inside, the Limited trim of the Highlander shone with near-flawless fit and finish. The tan leather seats, dark brown trim, and wood details (even if not real) provided a luxurious feel. The steering wheel felt good to hold, and there were no squeaks, rattles, or unsightly gaps. The Highlander thrived when it leaned toward luxury, making it a comfortable and convenient family car.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport carried over most of the same sheet metal from the regular Atlas but featured a lower roofline and aggressively-raked rear hatch. This design gave it a mix of SUV ruggedness and car-like features, although the fake exhaust tips on the rear bumper of the SEL Premium test vehicle looked tacky. The Cross Sport was shorter and lower than the seven-seat Atlas but shared the same wheelbase and MQB platform.

Inside, the Cross Sport had a minimalist design that was functional but let down by subpar materials. Even with leather upholstery and contrast stitching, the interior felt cheap, with hard and shiny plastics that were prone to fingerprint smudges. The multiple dark colors didn’t provide a welcoming feel, and the flat-bottom steering wheel seemed out of place for a non-performance model.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered smooth and predictable operation, making it a reliable family car. While it wasn’t built for drag races, it handled highway merging competently. The Highlander’s powertrain was comparable to competitors like the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride, though it fell short of the Ford Explorer ST in performance.

The Highlander’s suspension was soft and comfortable, though it tended to lumber through corners. The XSE trim added higher-rated springs, retuned shock absorbers, power steering, and a rear stabilizer bar, providing a bit more driving excitement for family-focused shoppers.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered two powertrain options: a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four with 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.6-liter VR6 engine with 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. Both engines came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and start-stop systems for better fuel economy. The VR6 engine provided livelier acceleration and a nice sound, but midrange acceleration felt lacking, and the transmission was slow to react.

The Cross Sport’s ride quality was among the worst in modern crossovers, with every bump and pothole making its presence felt. The cabin let in plenty of wind and tire noise, and the SUV handled like a truck with lots of body roll and loose steering. VR6 models had a 5,000-pound towing capacity, while four-cylinder models were rated to tow 2,000 pounds. AWD versions featured Active Control with multiple drive modes and 8 inches of ground clearance, but the Jeep Grand Cherokee was a better off-road choice.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander excelled in keeping driver and passengers comfortable, hauling luggage, and providing convenient storage. The front seats featured large shelves for cell phones and a wireless charging pad in the center console. Second-row passengers enjoyed plenty of legroom, with seats that moved forward and backward to maximize space. The third row could accommodate adults if the second-row passengers were willing to compromise on comfort.

Cargo space behind the third row was 16 cubic feet, expanding to 48.4 cubic feet with the third row folded and 84.3 cubic feet with both the second and third rows down. This made the Highlander versatile for various hauling needs, though it was still dwarfed by minivans.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered 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, which was above average but still behind the Honda Passport.

The Cross Sport featured a 60/40 split-fold second-row seat with a 14-degree backrest recline and a foot-activated tailgate on SE with Technology trim levels. It also provided cargo nets, cupholders, storage bins, a decent-sized center console, and a second-row armrest with integrated cupholders.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander came with an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims, while the Limited trim offered a 12.3-inch touchscreen as an option, standard on the Platinum trim. Both systems were easy to use, with standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Navigation was available but struggled with points of interest. The 12.3-inch screen was bright and crisp, though it only displayed certain apps in full width. The JBL audio system sounded good but wasn’t overly impressive.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport featured two infotainment systems. The base S trim had the MIB2 system with a 6.5-inch touchscreen, while other trims got the MIB3 system with an 8-inch touchscreen. Both systems included USB-C ports, pinch-to-zoom screens, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity. MIB3 added multiple-device pairing and updated voice recognition. Higher trims included additional USB ports, SiriusXM satellite radio, a Digital Cockpit instrument cluster, and a 12-speaker Fender audio system.

The MIB3 system was slow to load, and the Fender audio system sounded lo-fi. The Digital Cockpit display allowed for customizable gauge configurations, and analog controls made basic functions easy to access.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander featured Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ (TSS 2.5+), including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection and intersection support, road-sign assist, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-tracing assist, and automatic high beams. The Highlander received a five-star rating from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport earned top “Good” 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, traffic-sign recognition, automatic high beams, parking sensors, 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.