2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport Review: Two Rows for Fewer Folks… But More Space

Auto123 reviews the new 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport.

The fashion at many automakers these days is to take an SUV and, with a slight redesign, put it back on the market as a 4-door sport coupe. Volkswagen is no exception and offers us this year an Atlas Cross Sport with a revised rear end (with mixed results) and a more-winsome front end that looks very much like the regular Atlas. The overall result is visually satisfying. To wit, we got several looks during our week-long test drive of a range-topping $54,495 Execline version.

Outside
The Cross Sport is, as mentioned, adapted from the 2020 Atlas. It retains the same wheelbase, but it shrinks by 144 mm thanks to the different roofline. The roof is 59 mm lower and ends with a sport coupe-style angle. The front end of the vehicle is, all in all, pretty attractive with an aggressive face, nicely designed headlights and two huge air intakes under the headlights. This gives the sport coupe SUV a pretty face, one distinct from that of the Atlas.

The rear end is less charming; in fact, it feels like the designers were in a hurry to cut it off sharply and plonk on to it elements lying around the studio floor. As proof, in contrast to the stylish headlights, the imposing taillights seem to harken back to the SUVs of the 90s; let’s agree that’s maybe not what you want to harken back to. To create balance with the fake air intakes at the front, Volkswagen also went with fake exhaust outlets at the rear. We could have done without ‘em.

Fortunately, from the side, thanks to the 20-inch wheels and the lowered roof, the impression of a sports coupe is there, so mission accomplished.

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