Atlas Cross Sport Mid-Size SUV

Written by Marco Carvajal

The Atlas Cross Sport keeps expanding further the success of the Atlas. The Atlas Cross Sport is ready to compete in the mid-size SUV segment in America.

This new 2020 Atlas mid-size five-seater SUV features a dramatic coupe-like design, as well as advanced connectivity and driver assistance systems. It looks robust, bold, practical, and very American (It is built in the US)

The Atlas has been recognized as one of the best family cars of the year in the US. Focusing on American families, the car provides all the possibilities for maximum comfort and multitasking. Now Americans have two options the largest 3-rows Atlas SUV for 7 passengers or the 2-rows Atlas Cross Sport for 5 passengers.

Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport

The new 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport comes with 2 Rows. The regular Atlas version is a 3 row 7 seater, but now Volkswagen sees an opportunity to compete with regular 2 rows 5 seats SUVs, giving birth to the new Atlas 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. This new SUV is the perfect SUV product to sell and keep selling in the US.

The new Cross Sport is 2.8 inches shorter than the current Atlas. Its size is 78.3 wide and travels on the same 117.3-inch wheelbase, producing very generous large interior space.

The Cross Sport has 111.8 cubic feet for passengers, with 40.3 cubic feet of cargo space for luggage behind the second-row seats, increasing to 77.8 when the second row is folded.

The New 2020 Atlas Cross Sport

On the outside, the Atlas Cross Sport has a distinctive style that is based on the basic concepts of the larger Atlas, but it takes the Atlas to a new level with more style and a sportier look. On the front exterior, the Cross Sport has an exclusive three-bar chrome grille to which is added a new and bright signature that extends the width of the center bar, producing a very elegant, premium and sports look

The new front bumper is aggressive, along with a subtly sculpted hood that completes the frontal treatment that looks remarkably impressive. The profile of the new Cross Sport is more aggressive than the previous Atlas, with a heavily inclined rear pillar and rear hatch.

New lights sculpted in the rear bumper give the rear a real presence, while the chrome details on the sides of the lower body, the rear bumper, and the windows add to the custom aspect of the design.

The R-Line trim ornaments in the new Atlas Cross Sport have even more carved bumpers with chrome and piano black treatments around the front air intakes, as well as 21-inch aluminum-alloy wheels available.

The trim model 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport 2.0 SEL 4MOTION I am test driving s one of the top models in the Atlas Cross Sport lineup. It includes several premium options and it gives more power to the driver with the magic of Volkswagen 4Motion.

The Original Atlas Success is now Expanded into the new Atlas Cross Sport

The original Volkswagen Atlas is a 3-row large SUV and it has been very successful in the US since it was released back in 2018. The Atlas is the biggest and boldest Volkswagen ever built in the United States.

The Atlas is a very practical family car and it keeps selling, but Volkswagen understood there was a need for a mid-size Atlas, as this segment keeps growing further in the US. The brand took advantage of the good sales and name of the Atlas, producing a smaller Atlas Cross Sport in order to keep selling to a new segment.

Most drivers love the large Atlas SUV and the success of the Atlas is expanding into the Medium Size SUV with the new Cross Sport Atlas.

“Taking advantage of the success of the seven-seater medium SUV, we see an opportunity for a five-seat model that offers even more style and almost as much interior space,” said Scott Keogh, CEO, Volkswagen Group of America. “We hope to enter this growing segment with the Atlas Cross Sport, which offers outstanding technology, features and style of assistance to the driver of Volkswagen.”

2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport Made in Tennessee

Volkswagen created the Atlas especially to target the US market (even if it is sold in other countries too). The Atlas Cross Sport is proudly made in the US in the Volkswagen State of the Art Plant in Chattanooga, Tennesee.

According to Scott Keogh CEO of Volkswagen Group of America, Volkswagen has total support from the State of Tennessee in what he called a partnership between Volkswagen and Tennessee.

Highlights of the 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport 2.0 SEL 4MOTION:

20 city/26 highway mpg
2.0L 4-cylinder engine with 235 hp (achieved with premium fuel) and 258 lb-ft of torque Available 3.6L V6 engine with 276 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque
8-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic and Sport mode
Panoramic sunroof
Front and rear heated seats
Advanced LED headlights and LED taillights
21-inch wheels
Volkswagen digital cockpit
8″ touch screen sound system
Fender Premium Audio System
Full-screen navigation view
4MOTION All-Wheel Drive with Active Control
Park Distance Control
Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking (Front Assist)
Parking Steering Assistant (Park Assist)
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
Rear View Camera System
Automatic Post-Collision Braking System
Six stability-enhancing systems

Atlas Cross Sport Trims and Pricing

The Atlas Cross Sport includes seven trim types: S, SE, SE with Technology, SE with Technology R-Line, SEL, SEL Premium, and SEL R-Line.

This mid-size SUV is also available in various colors and options with a price range starting at $30K with the S trim and with a top of the line SEL Premium R-Line, priced around $50K.

Atlas Cross Sport S

$30,545 Starting MSRP

Atlas Cross Sport SE

$33,945 Starting MSRP

Atlas Cross Sport SE with Technology

$35,945 Starting MSRP

Atlas Cross Sport SE with Technology R-Line

$38,745 Starting MSRP

Atlas Cross Sport SEL

$39,545 Starting MSRP

Atlas Cross Sport SEL R-Line

$43,045 Starting MSRP

Atlas Cross Sport SEL Premium

$48,095 Starting MSRP

Atlas Cross Sport SEL Premium R-Line

$49,795 Starting MSRP

Engine and Performance

The Atlas Cross Sport is offered with a choice of two different engines. The base engine is a powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 235 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque or you can upgrade to the available 3.6-liter V6 engine with 276 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque. All Atlas trims are available with this optional 3.6-liter V6 engine. This powerful direct-injection engine delivers 276 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 266 lb-ft of torque at 2,750 rpm.

The robust standard 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline unit is a member of the latest EA888 engine family. Output is rated at 235 horsepower at 4,500 rpm and 258 lb-ft of torque from 1,600 rpm.

4Motion with Active Control all-wheel drive

Both engines are engineered to have power sent through an eight-speed automatic transmission to help maximize efficiency. This transmission then sends the power to either the front wheels. When the Atlas Cross Sport is equipped with 4Motion with Active Control all-wheel drive (V6 models only) the power goes to all four wheels as needed. The Atlas Cross Sport I am driving feels very robust on any road or off-road thanks to this 4Motion feature.

Fuel Economy

Atlas doesn’t have the best economy, but it is reasonable for its powerful engines. V6 models with 4Motion all-wheel drive are rated at 16 mpg in city driving, 22 mpg on the highway and 19 mpg in combined driving. The EPA-estimated fuel economy for Atlas models with the base engine 2.0-liter is 20 mpg in city driving, 24 mpg on the highway and 22 mpg in combined driving.

Exterior style

The sleek, raked roofline and unique bumpers and badging make the Atlas Cross Sport look very sporty and bold, but also premium.

All Atlas models feature full LED front lighting, including low beams, high beams, turn signal indicators, Daytime Running Lights (DRLs), and side marker lights.

The Atlas keeps its bold exterior design with SEL models using 20-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and 255/50 all-season tires. SEL Premium models offer standard 21-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with 265/45 all-season tires.

The SEL Premium model features the Fender Premium Audio System with 12 speakers and innovative MIB II touchscreen infotainment system.

Safety Features

Great standard safety features on the 2020 Atlas is Volkswagen’s Automatic Post-Collision Braking System. The Atlas also includes Volkswagen’s Intelligent Crash Response System that shuts off the fuel pump, unlocks the doors, and switches on the hazard lights if the car is involved in a collision.

All Atlas models feature a standard rearview camera and several safety features. Electronic safety systems, such as an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC). All Atlas models provide a combination of both passive and active safety systems. Six airbags as standard (front and side airbags for front passengers and side curtain airbags for outboard seating positions).