2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport vs 2021 Volvo XC60

The 2021 Volvo XC60, though no longer purely Swedish, benefited greatly from its acquisition by Geely Holding Group. This transition allowed Volvo to shed its Ford-imposed limitations and emerge as a near-luxury brand with a focus on safety and innovation. The XC60, positioned between the XC40 and XC90, was built on Volvo’s SPA platform, sharing its elegant, tailored design with other 60-series and 90-series vehicles. The XC60 featured a distinctive upright grille with Volvo’s iron mark logo and Thor’s hammer-shaped LED daytime running lights, embodying a quintessentially Swedish aesthetic. The interior was equally impressive, with clean lines, authentic materials, and a serene atmosphere, highlighted by a 9-inch portrait-oriented infotainment touchscreen and meticulously designed HVAC vents.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, on the other hand, carried over much of the same sheet metal from the regular Atlas but with a lower roofline and aggressively-raked rear hatch. This design aimed to blend SUV ruggedness with car-like features, though some elements, like the fake exhaust tips, appeared tacky. The Cross Sport was shorter and lower than the seven-seat Atlas, riding on VW’s MQB platform. It featured standard LED exterior lighting and varying wheel sizes across trim levels. The interior, while minimalist and functional, was let down by subpar materials, with even the SEL Premium model’s leather upholstery feeling cheap. The abundance of dark colors and hard plastics did not provide a welcoming feel, and the flat-bottom steering wheel seemed out of place in a non-performance model.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 offered a range of powertrains, all centered around a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The T5 models, available in FWD or AWD, produced 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T6 models, with AWD only, delivered 316 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque thanks to a turbocharger and supercharger. The T8 models, also AWD, added an 87-hp electric motor, bringing the total output to 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque, with the T8 Polestar Engineered variant pushing it further to 415 hp. The T8 models were plug-in hybrids, capable of driving up to 19 miles on electric power alone. The XC60’s AWD system and torque vectoring provided a smooth, secure ride, making it an excellent road-trip car. Fuel economy ranged from 22 mpg city/29 mpg highway for the T5 FWD to 27 mpg combined for the T8 PHEV, with the T8 achieving 57 MPGe in electric-only mode.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport shared its powertrain options with the seven-seat Atlas, featuring a standard 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine and an optional 3.6-liter V6. The turbo-four produced 235 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, while the V6 delivered 276 hp and 266 lb-ft. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The V6 engine, especially with AWD, provided lively acceleration from a stop but lacked midrange power. The ride quality was subpar, with noticeable bumps and potholes, and the cabin allowed in significant wind and tire noise. The Cross Sport handled like a truck, with considerable body roll and loose steering. The V6 models had a 5,000-pound towing capacity, while the four-cylinder models were limited to 2,000 pounds. AWD versions featured multiple drive modes and 8 inches of ground clearance, but the Cross Sport was not particularly suited for off-road adventures.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 was designed to transport people safely and comfortably. The front seats were highly adjustable and heated, making them ideal for cold weather. The heating system, including the rear glass heater and windshield defroster, performed exceptionally well in winter conditions. The cabin featured smart storage solutions and intuitive controls, with 21.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and up to 63.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The XC60 could tow up to 3,500 pounds.

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 above average, with 40.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 77.8 cubic feet with the seats folded. The second-row seats featured a 60/40 split-fold and a 14-degree backrest recline. The SE with Technology trim added a foot-activated tailgate. The cabin included various storage bins and cupholders, with a large cubbyhole ahead of the shifter for charge ports.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 featured the Sensus infotainment system, which used a tablet-style touchpad interface. The system was intuitive for frequent iPad users, with swipe, pinch, and pull gestures. The screen was divided into function quadrants, making it easy to navigate. However, there was a learning curve, and it could be distracting while driving. The XC60 included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot. The Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system provided exceptional sound quality.

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, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The MIB3 system added multiple-device pairing and updated voice recognition. Higher trims included the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit, a 10-inch reconfigurable display, and a 12-speaker Fender audio system. The MIB3 system was slow to load, and the voice recognition required specific prompts. The Digital Cockpit display was a valuable feature, allowing for customizable gauge configurations.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 continued Volvo’s legacy of safety innovation. It received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included LED headlights, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, collision avoidance, and various mitigation systems. The XC60 also offered Volvo’s semi-autonomous Pilot Assist system, which integrated adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. The XC60 was governed to a top speed of 112 mph for safety.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport earned top scores in IIHS crash tests but had 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 traffic-sign recognition. 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, which provided automated lane centering and emergency stopping.