2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport vs 2021 Volvo XC40

The 2021 Volvo XC40 presented a more traditional SUV aesthetic compared to other small luxury crossovers, featuring a tall, flat roof and an upright rear hatch. It seamlessly integrated into the Volvo family with signature design elements like the “Thor’s Hammer” LED headlights and a simple oval grille. Gasoline models offered a white contrasting roof for a retro touch. The XC40 Recharge differentiated itself with a blanked-off grille, subtle “Recharge” badging, and unique alloy wheels. It also featured a gloss black roof and mirror caps, a modified rear bumper, and a model-exclusive Sage Green Metallic colour. The interior was minimalist yet premium, with real metal trim and a combination of Nappa leather and Nubuck textile upholstery, creating a cohesive and upscale environment.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport retained much of the regular Atlas's sheet metal but adopted a lower roofline and aggressively raked rear hatch, blending SUV ruggedness with car-like features. However, the styling, including fake exhaust tips, was somewhat controversial. The Cross Sport was shorter and lower than the seven-seat Atlas, sharing the same wheelbase and MQB platform. It featured standard LED lighting and various wheel options across trim levels. The interior followed VW’s minimalist design but was let down by subpar materials, with hard and shiny plastics dominating the cabin. Despite leather upholstery and contrast stitching, the interior felt cheap, and the dark colour scheme lacked warmth. The flat-bottom steering wheel seemed out of place for a non-performance model.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 offered a three-tiered powertrain lineup, with the electric Recharge at the top. The gasoline options included a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base T4 produced 187 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, while the T5 delivered 248 hp and 258 lb-ft. The Recharge shared its powertrain with the Polestar 2, featuring dual electric motors for all-wheel drive, generating a combined 402 hp and 486 lb-ft. It housed a 78-kilowatt-hour battery pack, with 75 kWh usable capacity, enabling a 0 to 100 km/h time of 4.9 seconds. The T5 and T4 achieved 6.4 and 8.5 seconds, respectively. All models were electronically limited to 180 km/h. The XC40 emphasized luxury and comfort, with excellent ride quality and the option for one-pedal driving. The Recharge could tow up to 900 kilograms when properly equipped.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport shared powertrain options with the seven-seat Atlas, offering a standard 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four and an optional 3.6-litre V6 engine, both with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The turbo-four produced 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, while the V6 delivered 276 hp and 266 lb-ft. The VR6 engine provided lively acceleration from a stop but lacked midrange power, and the transmission was slow to react. Ride quality was poor, with noticeable bumps and potholes, and the cabin allowed wind and tire noise. The Cross Sport had a 2,268-kilogram towing capacity with the VR6 engine, while four-cylinder models were rated for 907 kilograms. AWD versions featured Active Control with multiple drive modes and 20.3 centimetres of ground clearance, but the vehicle lacked off-road prowess.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 offered no difference in passenger or cargo space between the Recharge and gasoline models, but it was not particularly spacious. It had less legroom and headroom compared to competitors like the Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E, and a smaller cargo area. The frunk was also limited in size. The gasoline XC40 was more competitive in interior space against rivals like the Audi Q3 and BMW X1. Volvo compensated with clever storage solutions, including a removable trash bin, a glovebox bag hook, and large door bins. The storage cubby was well-designed for phones, with an optional wireless charging pad and a standard USB-C port, though rear passengers lacked charging options.

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, rear headroom was limited due to the sloping roofline. Cargo space was above average, with 1,141 litres with rear seats in place and 2,203 litres with seats folded, but still behind the Honda Passport. The second-row seats featured a 60/40 split-fold and 14-degree backrest recline. Highline and Execline trims added a foot-activated tailgate. The vehicle included various storage solutions, such as cargo nets, cupholders, and a large centre console.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge featured the Android Automotive OS infotainment system, offering Google apps like Google Assistant and Google Maps. Gasoline models retained the previous system. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, and Bluetooth, with a 9-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The Recharge introduced OTA update capability, covering the infotainment system and other software-controlled functions. It lacked a start button, relying on the key fob for activation. The Polestar 2's Digital Key feature was not confirmed for the XC40.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered two infotainment systems. The base Trendline 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, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. MIB3 added multiple-device pairing and updated voice recognition. Execline models had the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit and a 12-speaker Fender audio system. The MIB3 system was slow to load, and the Fender audio system was underwhelming. The Digital Cockpit provided configurable displays, and analog controls simplified basic functions.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 received a “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA for gasoline models. The electric Recharge was not rated, but Volvo expected strong performance due to its safety cage and redesigned crash structure. Standard safety features included lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, and more. Optional features included a 360-degree camera and Pilot Assist. The Recharge had an advanced sensor suite for future driver aids.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport earned “Good” scores in IIHS crash tests, with mixed headlight ratings and a “Marginal” rating for child-seat anchor ease of use. The NHTSA gave it a five-star overall rating. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist. Unique features included the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System and Intelligent Crash Response System. New for 2021, Travel Assist and Emergency Assist were available on Execline models.