2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport vs 2022 Lincoln Navigator

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 exterior was further marred by fake exhaust tips on the rear bumper, which detracted from its overall appeal. Despite its shorter and lower stature compared to the seven-seat Atlas, the Cross Sport maintained the same wheelbase, riding on VW’s MQB platform. Standard LED lighting and a range of wheel options, from 18-inch to optional 21-inch, were available, with the R-Line package adding sportier styling elements.

Inside, the Cross Sport featured VW’s minimalist design, which was visually appealing yet compromised by subpar materials. The leather upholstery, despite its contrast stitching, felt rubbery, and the interior was dominated by hard and shiny plastics prone to fingerprint smudges. The colour scheme, with its dark hues, failed to create a welcoming atmosphere, and the flat-bottom steering wheel seemed out of place for a non-performance model. The interior's design choices, while functional, did not match the expectations set by the vehicle's exterior styling.

In contrast, the 2022 Lincoln Navigator underwent subtle styling changes, including new headlights, taillights, and wheel designs, along with an updated Lincoln Embrace nighttime welcome illumination sequence. The front end received a restyle, featuring an Audi-esque grille with Lincoln star and chrome detailing, which some felt diminished the vehicle's elegance. Despite this, the Navigator's updates were largely successful, with the interior continuing to impress with quality materials and a mid-century modern design. The new Constellation instrumentation and infotainment display theme added a touch of sophistication, while the Sync 4 infotainment system, with its larger 13.2-inch touchscreen, enhanced the vehicle's technological appeal.

The Navigator's interior comfort was further elevated by its heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats, along with the updated Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system. The third-row seating remained spacious and comfortable, benefiting from the independent rear suspension design. Cargo space was generous, with the long-wheelbase Navigator L offering even more room for larger loads. Overall, the 2022 Navigator's updates and features contributed to a luxurious and comfortable driving experience, setting it apart from its competitors.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered two powertrain options: a standard 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four engine and an optional 3.6-litre V6 engine. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and featured start-stop systems for improved fuel efficiency. The turbo-four engine, part of the EA888 family, produced 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque on premium fuel. The V6, a VR6 with a narrow "V" angle, delivered 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. Despite the VR6's lively acceleration from a stop, its midrange performance was less impressive, and the transmission's slow response could be mitigated by manual shifting.

The Cross Sport's ride quality was among the worst in its class, with every bump and pothole making its presence felt. The cabin allowed significant wind and tire noise, and the vehicle's handling was more akin to a truck, with noticeable body roll and loose steering. The VR6 models had a towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms, while the four-cylinder models were limited to 907 kilograms. AWD versions featured Active Control with multiple drive modes and 20.3 centimetres of ground clearance, but the Cross Sport was not well-suited for off-road adventures.

In contrast, the 2022 Lincoln Navigator was powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine, producing 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive in Canada, the Navigator offered a robust performance. Its towing capacity ranged from 3,674 to 3,765 kilograms, depending on the configuration, and the available Trailer Reverse Guidance technology made towing easier. The Navigator's adaptive-damping suspension, with Road Preview, improved ride quality by preparing for bumps and potholes in advance.

The Navigator's performance was further enhanced by a new electronic brake booster, which improved brake pedal feel and response. The SUV handled snow and mud with ease, thanks to its four-wheel drive, 24.5 centimetres of ground clearance, and appropriate driving modes. Fuel consumption was rated at 13.2 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with the test vehicle averaging 12.6 L/100 km. Overall, the Navigator's performance was impressive, offering a smooth and comfortable ride with ample power and capability.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered competitive interior space for a two-row midsize crossover, with front-seat and rear-seat legroom near the top of its class. However, the steeply sloping roofline compromised rear headroom, making it less accommodating for taller passengers. Cargo space was above average, with 1,141 litres available with the rear seats in place and 2,203 litres with them folded. The second-row seats featured a 60/40 split-fold and 14-degree backrest recline, while higher trim levels added a foot-activated tailgate.

The Cross Sport's interior included a variety of storage solutions, such as cargo nets, cupholders, and storage bins. A large centre console and a second-row armrest with integrated cupholders provided additional convenience. Despite these features, the interior's overall design and material quality fell short of expectations, detracting from the vehicle's appeal.

In contrast, the 2022 Lincoln Navigator excelled in interior comfort and space. The front seats were heated, ventilated, and offered 30-way power adjustments, with a memory function to save settings. The second-row captain's chairs were also heated, ventilated, and available with a massaging function, providing a luxurious experience for rear passengers. The third-row seating remained spacious and comfortable, benefiting from the independent rear suspension design.

The Navigator offered generous storage and cargo space, with the long-wheelbase Navigator L providing even more room. Cargo capacity ranged from 546 litres behind the third-row seat to 2,925 litres with the second-row seats collapsed. The Navigator's interior design and features contributed to a luxurious and comfortable driving experience, setting it apart from its competitors.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport was equipped with two infotainment systems. The base Trendline trim featured the MIB2 system with a 6.5-inch touchscreen, while higher trims received the MIB3 system with an 8-inch touchscreen. Both systems included USB-C ports, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity. The MIB3 system added multiple-device pairing and updated voice recognition, though it was slow to load and the voice recognition required specific prompts.

The Execline models featured the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit, replacing analog gauges with a 10-inch reconfigurable display, and a 12-speaker Fender premium audio system. While the Digital Cockpit was a worthwhile addition, the Fender audio system was underwhelming. The Cross Sport's infotainment system, while functional, did not offer the same level of sophistication as its competitors.

In contrast, the 2022 Lincoln Navigator featured a new Sync 4 infotainment system with a 13.2-inch touchscreen display. The system supported Bluetooth, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay, and offered a user-friendly interface with customizable settings. The voice recognition system was improved, though not perfect, and the system's over-the-air update capability allowed for further refinements.

The Navigator's rear-seat entertainment system was upgraded with Amazon Fire TV, providing access to streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+. The optional 28-speaker Revel 3D audio system delivered an exceptional listening experience. Overall, the Navigator's technology offerings were impressive, enhancing the vehicle's appeal and functionality.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport received top "Good" scores in all IIHS crash tests, though headlight ratings were mixed. The NHTSA awarded the Cross Sport 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 monitor, and rear cross-traffic alert. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and parking assist. Unique to the Cross Sport were the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System and Intelligent Crash Response System.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced several new driver assistance systems, including Intersection Assist, Active Park Assist 2.0, and ActiveGlide. A surround-view camera system was also newly standard. Intersection Assist could automatically brake in unsafe conditions, while Active Park Assist 2.0 allowed the Navigator to park itself. ActiveGlide, Lincoln's semi-autonomous driving technology, enabled hands-free driving on approved highways. While the system performed well, it required the driver to remain attentive.