2022 Chevrolet Traverse vs 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport presented a unique blend of SUV ruggedness and car-like features, with its low roofline and aggressively raked rear hatch. This design choice, reminiscent of luxury automakers' "crossover coupes," resulted in a somewhat awkward aesthetic. The vehicle's fake exhaust tips added to the rear bumper's tacky appearance. Despite being shorter and lower than the seven-seat Atlas, the Cross Sport shared the same wheelbase and platform, offering standard LED exterior lighting and a range of wheel sizes across different trims. The interior, while minimalist and functional, suffered from subpar materials, with leather upholstery that felt rubbery and an overuse of hard and shiny plastics. The dark colour scheme and flat-bottom steering wheel further detracted from the interior's appeal.

In contrast, the 2022 Chevrolet Traverse, though likened to a glorified minivan, offered a more traditional SUV appearance with a light restyle for the model year. It featured new headlights, taillights, and grille designs, along with various appearance packages. The RS trim, in particular, showcased blacked-out trim and dark gray 20-inch wheels, contributing to its appealing design. Inside, the Traverse RS boasted black leather upholstery with contrast stitching, a black headliner, and gloss black trim. While hard plastics were present, the interior layout was logical and user-friendly, with matte-finish switchgear reducing glare. The Traverse's stereo controls and climate adjustments were straightforward, enhancing the overall user experience.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered two powertrain options: a standard 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four engine producing 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and an optional 3.6-litre VR6 engine delivering 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The VR6 engine provided a lively acceleration experience, though it lacked midrange power, and the transmission was slow to react. The ride quality was subpar, with noticeable bumps and potholes, and the cabin allowed significant wind and tire noise. The Cross Sport's towing capacity varied between 907 kilograms for the four-cylinder model and 2,268 kilograms for the VR6 model. Despite its "Sport" moniker, the vehicle's handling was more akin to a truck, with significant body roll and loose steering.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse, on the other hand, featured a single engine option: a 3.6-litre V6 producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission. The Traverse's towing capacity matched the Cross Sport's at 2,268 kilograms. The V6 engine provided adequate power for the vehicle's size, and the Traverse offered a firm yet compliant ride quality. While road and wind noise were present, the Traverse excelled on highways, making it suitable for family road trips. The vehicle's handling was predictable, with limited body roll and a flat cornering attitude. However, the RS trim's all-season tires and the vehicle's tendency to feel disconnected from the road at higher speeds were noted drawbacks.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered competitive interior space for a two-row midsize crossover, with ample front-seat and rear-seat legroom. However, the sloping roofline compromised rear headroom. Cargo space was above average, with 1,141 litres available with the rear seats in place and 2,203 litres with them folded. The vehicle featured a 60/40 split-fold for the second-row seats and various storage solutions, including a large centre console and a cubbyhole for charge ports.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse, in contrast, provided seating for seven with its RS trim's captain's chairs, though this reduced capacity compared to trims with a second-row bench seat. The Traverse offered power-adjustable and heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and triple-zone climate control. The second-row Smart Slide function and long rear doors facilitated access to the third-row seat. While the third-row accommodations were not as comfortable as those in a Chevy Tahoe or Volkswagen Atlas, they were better than many rivals. The Traverse excelled in storage space, with a hidden compartment behind the infotainment screen and another under the cargo floor. Cargo space measured 651 litres behind the third row, 1,637 litres with it folded, and a maximum of 2,781 litres.

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 system added multiple-device pairing and updated voice recognition. The Execline trim featured a Digital Cockpit display and a 12-speaker Fender audio system. However, the MIB3 system was slow to load, and the voice recognition required specific prompts. The Digital Cockpit display was a valuable addition, allowing for customizable gauge configurations.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse came equipped with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system for the LS model, while other trims received an 8-inch high-definition display. The system supported Bluetooth connectivity for two smartphones, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and connected services, including a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Traverse RS trim featured a Bose premium sound system, though it was not particularly impressive. The voice recognition system was responsive and accurate, enhancing the user experience. The Traverse also offered a digital rearview mirror and a surround-view camera, improving visibility and maneuverability.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport received top "Good" scores in all IIHS crash tests, though headlight ratings were mixed. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall rating, with five stars for side crash tests and four stars for frontal and rollover tests. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist. Unique to the Cross Sport were the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System and Intelligent Crash Response System. New for 2021 were Travel Assist and Emergency Assist, though their performance was limited.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse came standard with Chevy Safety Assist, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. An optional Safety Package added rear parking assist sensors, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims featured adaptive cruise control and a rear pedestrian alert system. The Traverse received Good ratings from the IIHS in most categories but was rated Acceptable in the new side impact test and Poor for its LED headlights and seatbelt reminders. NHTSA ratings were not available at the time of review.