Volkswagen has unveiled the second generation Atlas Cross Sport with a new boxy yet more sophisticated exterior and a strong focus on interior practicality and styling. The Atlas Cross Sport is the sportier version of the larger family-oriented Atlas, with sportier looks, a lower ride height, and a sacrifice of the third row of seating for a larger cargo space.
We took a good look at the Atlas Cross Sport, and walked away impressed that the engineers and designers have concentrated on getting the basics right while adding some much-needed style as well as substance to the interior.
Designed With America In Mind
2027 Volkswagen Atlas Cross SportIan Wright/CarBuzz/Valnet
While the Atlas Cross Sport is the sportier version of the regular Volkswagen Atlas SUV, it’s still immensely practical with an abundance of interior space. On the outside, there’s all-new bodywork and the long wheelbase translates into legroom and extended cargo space inside. It’s certainly more squared off than the outgoing generation, but there’s more attention paid to the aerodynamics, including the longer aerodynamic element stretching the roof over the rear windshield and the wheel design (20-inch standard and 21-inch available).
“Because the cabin is low and the rear overhang short, it gives the car a really sporty stance. Both the proportions and the use of body color trim elevate its look to the premium class. These chunkier proportions make it look really planted.”
– William Lee, Atlas Exterior Designer
The new Atlas Cross Sport is 5.4 inches shorter than the original model, and we’re told that’s all in the space between the top of the doors and the roofline. Indeed, sitting in the back, the legroom is downright impressive but best for those with long legs and a short body. It’s an SUV the kids can grow into.
2027 Volkswagen Atlas Cross SportIan Wright/CarBuzz/Valnet
The double-stacked LED headlights and masked upper grille are new, and give the Cross Sport a striking appearance. It retains its high, square hood that gives the Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport the feeling of driving a particularly well-behaved truck. The new taillight design carries on the pixelated lighting theme at the front, and dynamic turn signals with coming/leaving home animations are standard.
Much Needed Interior Touches
2027 Volkswagen Atlas Cross SportIan Wright/CarBuzz/Valnet
We’ve accused Volkswagen interiors of being characterless to the point of being bland, but the Cross Sport is part of VW’s plan to change that. New interior materials include gray wood on the dashboard as standard, and the use of contrasting colors and stitching adds depth and character. Leatherette is standard on the entry trims, while the top two trims offer Varenna leather and Nappa leather respectively. The interior color palettes available are “airy pebble grey, moody black, and a medium brown.”
A 10-color ambient lighting system is standard and shows through perforated door panels, and upgradable to 30 colors. A 12.9-inch freestanding infotainment screen is standard, with the upgrade being a 15-inch unit. All trims get the 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro gauge cluster. The most apparent new features sit between the seats, in the form of a new volume dial that also controls the “mood” lighting presets and two Qi2 wireless charging pads.
Well Measured Standard Features
2027 Volkswagen Atlas Cross SportIan Wright/CarBuzz/Valnet
Volkswagen has clearly been thinking about how people use the Atlas Cross Sport. The space for two phones to be charged in the center console has been freed up by moving the drive select to the steering column. The volume control is in easy reach for the driver and passenger, and there’s a large open lower section that can stash a smaller purse. New standard features include a power lift gate with Easy Open, rear sunshades, auto-dimming driver-side mirror, dual hatch lights, and front and rear Park Distance Control.
Not so well-thought-out is that Premium Navigation, Premium Speech (using AI), Premium Radio, and four-device WiFi hotspot capability are now wrapped up into one subscription “for convenience.” That convenience applies only if you’re not tired of subscriptions and want all the features instead of just one or two. Predictive Adaptive Cruise Control arrives on the top two trims, and allows speed adjustment on curves, roundabouts, exit ramps, and speed bumps when using the on-board navigation system. However, Park Assist Plus is only available on the top trim.
2027 Volkswagen Atlas Cross SportIan Wright/CarBuzz/Valnet
On the plus side, however, the standard driver assistance package has also been upgraded, including “refinements” to the IQ.DRIVE system. The semi-automated hands-on driving capability has been upgraded to allow for driver-initiated lane change, and Emergency Assist Plus can now guide the vehicle to the side of the road if it senses a medical emergency.
CarBuzz Insight – Why This Matters
2027 Volkswagen Atlas Cross SportIan Wright/CarBuzz/Valnet
The Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport are Volkswagen’s models that are most tailored for the US market, so they’re critical models for the brand. Barring the new subscription approach, the next generation of Atlas Cross Sport looks to be extremely well measured. Under the hood is the fifth generation of the EA888 four-cylinder engine, turbocharged to 282 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, which should be plenty for the size.
Volkswagen “anticipates” an improvement in fuel economy, and all-wheel-drive is available. However, those looking for a substantial improvement in fuel economy might want to wait for the hybrid variant, planned to arrive with the midcycle refresh, which we would generally expect to be two to three years away.
