2022 Jeep Wrangler vs 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

Volkswagen designed the 2022 Atlas Cross Sport by removing the third row from the standard seven-passenger Atlas model, lowering the roofline by 2.3 inches for a sportier look, and shortening the SUV’s length by 5.2 inches. Despite these changes, the wheelbase remained the same, ensuring a spacious interior for five people. However, the Cross Sport’s reduced cargo space, with 40.3 cubic feet behind the second-row seat and a maximum of 77.8 cubic feet, was a trade-off for its more stylish appearance.

The Atlas Cross Sport’s bold and upscale look was especially pronounced in the SEL Premium R-Line trim, featuring 21-inch machined-finish wheels. However, other wheel options were less appealing, with the base SE trim’s 18-inch wheels appearing too small. The interior offered various color combinations, all of which looked great, but the presence of hard, glossy plastic detracted from the overall quality. Despite these drawbacks, the Atlas Cross Sport was considered worth its price, with the SEL Premium R-Line model carrying an MSRP of $52,495.

When shopping for a new Jeep Wrangler, buyers had to choose between the classic two-door or the more practical four-door model. Depending on this choice, they could select from a range of powertrains, including a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, gasoline V6, turbodiesel V6, gas V8, or plug-in hybrid. The standard engines came with a six-speed manual transmission, with an optional eight-speed automatic available. Four-wheel drive (4WD) was standard, with multiple systems depending on the trim level.

The Wrangler came in four core trim levels: Sport, Sport S, Sahara, and Rubicon, with numerous special editions offering various top options. The price range for the 2022 Jeep Wrangler was broad, from about $30,000 to $80,000, excluding the destination charge. The High Tide special edition model, based on the four-door Sport S trim, added features like LED exterior lighting, a body-color hardtop with a Sunrider Fliptop, and the Xtreme Recon package, which included a 1.5-inch suspension lift and 35-inch tires. Our test vehicle, equipped with a gasoline V6 engine with eTorque mild hybrid electrification and various optional packages, had an MSRP of $58,845.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered two engine options. The standard engine was a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder producing 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, but it required premium fuel. The more powerful option was a 3.6-liter V6, delivering 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, with a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive (FWD) standard and Volkswagen’s 4Motion all-wheel drive (AWD) system available.

Our test vehicle, the Atlas Cross Sport SEL Premium R-Line, came with the V6 engine and 4Motion AWD. Despite weighing only about 140 pounds less than the three-row Atlas, the V6 felt more energetic in the two-row version. However, the V6 was aging, and the drivetrain occasionally lacked refinement. We averaged 19.2 mpg during our testing, slightly less than the larger Atlas. The ride quality was harsh at lower speeds, and the suspension felt too soft at higher speeds. The Atlas Cross Sport excelled on the highway, where the ride was more agreeable, but road noise was more intrusive than expected.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine with eTorque mild-hybrid electrification, producing 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. The eight-speed automatic transmission was a mandatory $4,000 option, and our test vehicle also had the optional Selec-Trac full-time 4WD system. The EPA estimated 21 mpg in combined driving for the eTorque V6, but with the Xtreme Recon Package modifications, we averaged 17.6 mpg on our evaluation route and 16.8 mpg over a week of driving.

Driving a Jeep Wrangler was a unique and immersive experience, engaging all the senses. The Wrangler’s rough-and-tumble driving experience, combined with its unquenchable thirst for fuel, was part of its charm. The Wrangler was not about comfort or refinement but about adventure and exploration. It was designed for off-road capability, and its driving experience reflected that, with loud cabin noise, vague steering, and a bumpy ride.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport shared its wheelbase, track width, and interior with the larger seven-passenger model, minus the third-row seat. This made it exceptionally roomy inside, with ample space for five adults. Our test vehicle featured 10-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, heated rear outboard seats, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone automatic climate control. A panoramic sunroof added to the spacious feel, and rear side-window sunshades helped keep the interior comfortable.

Storage space was plentiful, with roomy door panel bins, a large glove compartment, and a sizable bin under the front armrest. However, the lack of rubber or fabric lining in many storage areas meant that items could rattle or scrape as you drove. The cargo area offered plenty of space, with deep wells on either side for carrying items that needed restraint. Despite the reduced cargo space compared to the seven-passenger model, the Atlas Cross Sport could easily accommodate full-size suitcases and other luggage.

Getting into and out of the 2022 Jeep Wrangler was challenging, especially with the High Tide’s raised suspension. Shorter or less-limber individuals would struggle, particularly if the Jeep was dirty. The manual height adjuster for the driver’s seat required regular re-adjustment due to its location. The Wrangler’s seats were comfortable, with durable cloth upholstery and some soft, padded spots for arms and elbows. The driving position was close to the steering wheel, dashboard, and windshield, requiring some acclimation.

Visibility was a mixed bag, with excellent views in some areas and compromised views in others. The High Tide’s 35-inch spare tire blocked part of the rear view, but the reversing camera and Safety Group features helped. Rear-seat passengers faced the same entry and exit difficulties as those in the front, but once inside, they found agreeable accommodations with a good view out. Storage options were limited, with netting on the lower door panels, a small tray on the dashboard, and a small but deep center console box.

The base 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport SE came with Volkswagen Digital Cockpit, featuring an 8-inch display and a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system. This system included Bluetooth smartphone connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and two USB-C ports. Higher trims upgraded to a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit and an 8-inch touchscreen with additional features like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM with 360L satellite radio, and wireless smartphone charging.

The upgraded infotainment system also provided access to three Car-Net connected service subscription plans, offering features like remote engine start, emergency assistance, and a WiFi hotspot. However, the user experience could be frustrating, with issues related to touchscreen interaction and voice recognition technology. Our SEL Premium R-Line test vehicle had a 12-speaker Fender premium sound system, which was exceptional for its price point.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide, based on the Sport S trim, had a relatively basic infotainment system with a 7-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth connectivity, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While the optional Uconnect 8.4 infotainment system offered upgrades like satellite radio, connected services, and a navigation system, we found the basic system sufficient for our needs. Streaming Pandora and using Apple CarPlay for navigation and music worked well, though wind noise could affect Siri’s effectiveness.

Our Wrangler High Tide included options like remote engine starting, satellite radio, passive keyless entry, and single-zone automatic climate control with a new air filtration system. The Cold Weather Group added heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, extending the open-air driving season.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered a range of safety features, with more advanced options available as you moved up the trim levels. Every version included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and an automatic post-collision braking system. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, and a low-speed automatic braking system. The SEL trim featured automatic high-beam LED headlights, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and IQ Drive.

IQ Drive included Travel Assist and Emergency Assist, enhancing the vehicle’s safety capabilities. Our SEL Premium R-Line test vehicle also had a semi-autonomous Parking Steering Assistant system and an Area View 360-degree surround-view camera system. While Travel Assist was generally accurate, it occasionally made obvious steering inputs and braking adjustments. The Lane Assist technology sometimes misinterpreted road construction scars as lane markings, causing unnecessary course corrections. The Atlas Cross Sport received decent crash-test ratings, though not the highest accolades from the IIHS or NHTSA.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide included both the Safety Group and the Advanced Safety Group. The Safety Group added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors, while the Advanced Safety Group included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and automatic high-beam headlights. These features were valuable given the Wrangler’s small side mirrors and tall center of gravity.

However, the Wrangler’s crash-test ratings were less impressive. The NHTSA gave it a three-star rating for rollover resistance, and the IIHS rated it Marginal for protection in the left front small overlap crash-test and the new side-impact test. Headlight performance was rated Poor for the standard lights and Marginal for the LED upgrades. Safety was not a strong point for the Wrangler, and it required extra care when driving.