The 2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport occupies a unique position in the midsize SUV market. It offers much of the practicality and interior space of the larger three-row Volkswagen Atlas while adopting a sleeker, more stylish two-row design aimed at buyers who do not need a third row. The result is an SUV that combines family-friendly comfort with a more premium and athletic appearance.
Unlike many coupe-inspired SUVs that sacrifice practicality for styling, the Atlas Cross Sport manages to retain impressive passenger space and one of the largest cargo areas in its class. It competes against popular rivals such as the Honda Passport, Hyundai Santa Fe, Chevrolet Blazer, Jeep Grand Cherokee, and Nissan Murano, offering a blend of comfort, technology, and everyday usability that appeals to a wide range of buyers.
While it may not be the sportiest SUV despite its name, the Atlas Cross Sport focuses on what matters most to many families: a spacious cabin, comfortable ride quality, strong safety technology, and an attractive design that stands out from the crowd. For buyers seeking a two-row SUV with a premium feel and generous interior room, the Atlas Cross Sport deserves serious consideration.
Our Take
The 2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport succeeds because it understands its audience. This is not a performance SUV, nor does it attempt to be one. Instead, it delivers a comfortable driving experience, a roomy cabin, and one of the most attractive designs in the midsize SUV segment.
The biggest strengths are its spacious interior, excellent cargo capacity, and refined highway manners. Passengers enjoy plenty of room in both rows, while the large cargo area makes road trips and family duties easy. The infotainment system is straightforward to use, and available safety technologies add confidence behind the wheel.
However, the Atlas Cross Sport is not without flaws. The base engine feels adequate rather than exciting, fuel economy trails several competitors, and some interior materials do not fully match the vehicle’s premium pricing. Even so, buyers who prioritize comfort, practicality, and style over outright performance will find plenty to like here.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Stylish exterior design with premium road presence
- Spacious rear-seat accommodations
- One of the largest cargo areas in the segment
- Comfortable ride quality for long-distance travel
- Easy-to-use infotainment system
- Strong available safety technology
Cons
- Driving experience prioritizes comfort over sportiness
- Base engine lacks strong acceleration
- Fuel economy is merely average
- Some cabin materials feel less upscale than rivals
- Top trims become expensive quickly
What’s New for 2023
The 2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport receives several updates that help keep it competitive in the crowded midsize SUV segment. While this model year serves as the final version before Volkswagen introduces a major redesign for 2024, buyers still benefit from a solid list of available features, advanced safety technologies, and multiple trim options.
The lineup continues to offer both the turbocharged four-cylinder engine and the available V6, along with Volkswagen’s 4Motion all-wheel-drive system. Buyers can choose from trims ranging from the value-oriented SE to the fully loaded SEL Premium R-Line. While the most significant changes arrive for 2024, the 2023 model remains an attractive option for shoppers looking for substantial discounts on outgoing inventory.
Perhaps the biggest advantage of the 2023 Atlas Cross Sport is that Volkswagen had several years to refine the platform. As a result, the SUV feels mature, comfortable, and well sorted for everyday family use.
Exterior Design
The Atlas Cross Sport is arguably one of Volkswagen’s most attractive SUVs. By removing the third row and lowering the roofline, Volkswagen created a sleeker and more stylish silhouette than the standard Atlas without sacrificing much practicality.
The front fascia features a bold grille, clean LED lighting elements, and a strong road presence that helps the SUV appear larger and more upscale than many of its competitors. The proportions are particularly successful, avoiding the awkward appearance that sometimes affects coupe-inspired SUVs.
From the side, the Atlas Cross Sport looks athletic without becoming overly aggressive. The sloping roofline flows smoothly into the rear hatch while preserving generous rear-seat space. Large wheel options, available R-Line styling packages, and tasteful chrome accents further enhance its premium appearance.
At the rear, the SUV maintains a clean and sophisticated look. The wide stance, LED lighting, and sculpted tailgate give the Atlas Cross Sport a confident design that continues to age well even several years after its introduction.
Driving Experience
The 2023 Atlas Cross Sport focuses on comfort rather than excitement, and for many buyers that is exactly the right approach. The suspension is tuned to absorb bumps effectively, making daily commuting and long highway journeys particularly relaxing.
Steering is light and predictable, helping the SUV feel easy to maneuver despite its size. Around town, visibility is generally good, and the Atlas Cross Sport never feels intimidating in traffic or parking lots. Highway driving is where the vehicle feels most at home, offering impressive stability and a quiet cabin that reduces fatigue on long trips.
The available 4Motion all-wheel-drive system adds confidence during poor weather conditions and helps maintain traction on slippery roads. While the Atlas Cross Sport is not intended for serious off-road use, it handles light snow, rain, and gravel roads with ease.
Drivers looking for sporty handling may find rivals such as the Chevrolet Blazer more engaging. However, buyers seeking a comfortable, refined, and family-friendly SUV will appreciate the relaxed nature of the Atlas Cross Sport.
Performance & Acceleration
The 2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offers two engine choices, though neither is designed to deliver sports-car levels of excitement. The standard engine is a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that produces 235 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. For buyers seeking additional power, Volkswagen also offers a naturally aspirated 3.6-liter V6 producing 276 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque.
The turbocharged four-cylinder provides adequate performance for daily driving, city commuting, and highway cruising. It delivers sufficient low-end torque for most situations, but acceleration becomes less impressive during aggressive passing maneuvers or when carrying a full load of passengers and cargo.
The optional V6 improves overall responsiveness and towing capability, but the difference is not as dramatic as many buyers might expect. Both engines are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission that generally shifts smoothly, although occasional hesitation during downshifts can occur when rapid acceleration is requested.
When properly equipped with the V6, the Atlas Cross Sport can tow up to 5,000 pounds, making it suitable for small campers, boats, and utility trailers. For buyers who regularly tow, the V6 remains the preferred choice.
Ride Comfort & Cabin Refinement
Comfort is one of the Atlas Cross Sport’s strongest attributes. Volkswagen has tuned the suspension to prioritize ride quality, resulting in an SUV that feels composed and comfortable across a variety of road surfaces.
Broken pavement, expansion joints, and rough city streets are handled with confidence, allowing passengers to remain comfortable even during longer journeys. The suspension absorbs most imperfections without transmitting excessive harshness into the cabin.
Highway refinement is particularly impressive. Wind noise remains well controlled at cruising speeds, while road and tire noise are kept to reasonable levels. The result is a quiet and relaxing environment that makes long-distance travel one of the Atlas Cross Sport’s greatest strengths.
The seats also contribute significantly to overall comfort. Front occupants benefit from supportive seating and generous space, while rear passengers enjoy one of the roomiest second rows in the midsize SUV segment. Combined with the SUV’s smooth ride quality, the Atlas Cross Sport excels as a family road-trip vehicle.
Interior & Luxury Feel
The Atlas Cross Sport offers one of the roomiest cabins in its class, and its interior layout emphasizes practicality and ease of use. Visibility is excellent, controls are logically placed, and passengers have plenty of space to stretch out in both rows.
Front-seat occupants benefit from a commanding driving position and wide, supportive seats that remain comfortable during extended trips. The second row is particularly impressive, providing generous legroom and headroom that rivals or exceeds many competitors.
While the cabin is functional and spacious, material quality is somewhat mixed. Higher trims include attractive leather seating surfaces, premium trim accents, and upscale technology features, but some hard plastics remain visible throughout the cabin. This prevents the Atlas Cross Sport from feeling quite as luxurious as rivals such as the Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy or Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Even so, the overall design remains clean, modern, and user-friendly. Families will appreciate the thoughtful storage areas, large door pockets, and numerous small-item compartments that make everyday life easier. The Atlas Cross Sport may not offer true luxury-SUV craftsmanship, but it delivers excellent comfort and practicality for its price point.
Technology & Infotainment
Volkswagen equips the 2023 Atlas Cross Sport with a user-friendly infotainment system that prioritizes simplicity over flashy gimmicks. While some competitors offer larger displays and more advanced graphics, the Atlas Cross Sport focuses on ease of use, which many drivers will appreciate during everyday driving.
Most trims feature an 8-inch touchscreen with clear menus, quick response times, and straightforward navigation. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration are available, allowing drivers to access navigation, music, messaging, and smartphone apps seamlessly. Wireless connectivity is also available on select trims, reducing cabin clutter and improving convenience.
Higher trims add a fully digital instrument cluster, built-in navigation, premium audio systems, and additional connectivity features. The digital cockpit display is particularly useful because it allows drivers to customize information layouts according to their preferences.
Unlike some competitors that hide essential controls within complicated touchscreen menus, Volkswagen retains a relatively intuitive layout that minimizes distractions while driving. This simplicity helps make the Atlas Cross Sport one of the easier SUVs in its class to operate on a daily basis.
Fuel Economy
Fuel economy remains one of the Atlas Cross Sport’s weaker areas compared to some modern rivals. Its size, weight, and available V6 engine contribute to efficiency figures that are merely average within the midsize SUV segment.
Models equipped with the standard turbocharged four-cylinder engine achieve an EPA-estimated 21 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway with front-wheel drive. Choosing all-wheel drive results in a slight reduction in overall efficiency.
The available V6 provides additional power and towing capability but comes with a noticeable fuel-economy penalty. Buyers who prioritize efficiency may find hybrid alternatives such as the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid, Kia Sorento Hybrid, or Toyota Highlander Hybrid more appealing.
However, for many families, the difference may be acceptable considering the Atlas Cross Sport’s spacious interior, comfortable ride quality, and strong highway refinement. It may not be a segment leader in efficiency, but it remains competitive among traditional gasoline-powered midsize SUVs.
Practicality & Storage
Practicality is one of the primary reasons buyers choose the Atlas Cross Sport. Although it features only two rows of seating, it offers passenger and cargo space that rivals many larger three-row SUVs.
Rear-seat passengers enjoy generous legroom and headroom, making the second row one of the most comfortable in the segment. Adults can sit comfortably for long journeys, while families benefit from ample space for child seats and growing teenagers.
Cargo capacity is equally impressive. The Atlas Cross Sport provides one of the largest cargo areas among two-row midsize SUVs, offering substantial room behind the rear seats for luggage, groceries, sports equipment, or travel gear. Folding the rear seats dramatically increases available space, making it easy to transport larger items when necessary.
The wide cargo opening and low load floor simplify loading and unloading, while available hands-free power liftgate functionality adds convenience when carrying heavy items. For buyers prioritizing practicality, the Atlas Cross Sport remains one of the strongest options in its class..
Safety & Driver Assistance
Safety has long been one of Volkswagen’s priorities, and the 2023 Atlas Cross Sport offers a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance technologies designed to protect both occupants and pedestrians. Even lower trims include several active safety features that many competitors reserve for more expensive models.
Standard equipment includes Forward Collision Warning with Automatic Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, and Lane Keeping Assistance. These systems work unobtrusively in the background and provide additional confidence during daily driving.
Higher trims add Volkswagen’s IQ.DRIVE package, which includes Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Centering Assistance, Travel Assist, Emergency Assist, and additional driver-support technologies. These features are particularly useful during long highway journeys, reducing driver fatigue and helping maintain safe distances from surrounding traffic.
The Atlas Cross Sport also earned strong crash-test ratings from major safety organizations, making it a reassuring choice for families who place safety high on their list of priorities.
Competitors Worth Considering
The midsize SUV segment is filled with strong alternatives, and buyers considering the Atlas Cross Sport should also evaluate several key competitors.
The Honda Passport remains one of the closest rivals. It offers stronger V6 performance, excellent reliability, and a spacious interior, although its styling is less distinctive than the Volkswagen.
The Hyundai Santa Fe provides a more upscale interior and offers hybrid powertrain options that significantly improve fuel economy. Buyers focused on efficiency may find it particularly appealing.
The Chevrolet Blazer delivers sportier handling and more aggressive styling, making it attractive for drivers who want a more engaging driving experience.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee offers a more premium cabin, stronger off-road capability, and additional engine choices. However, it often comes at a noticeably higher price.
Finally, the Nissan Murano prioritizes comfort and refinement, although its aging platform and limited powertrain options make it less competitive than some newer rivals.
Each competitor has strengths, but the Atlas Cross Sport stands out by combining attractive styling, generous cargo space, and everyday comfort into a well-rounded package.
Trim Comparison
SE
The entry-level SE provides solid value with standard safety technology, smartphone integration, cloth seating, and a comfortable interior. It covers the essentials well but lacks some of the premium features available higher in the lineup.
SE with Technology
This trim represents a significant upgrade and is often considered one of the best values in the range. It adds a larger infotainment display, additional convenience features, upgraded driver-assistance technologies, and enhanced comfort equipment.
SEL
The SEL introduces more premium touches, including improved interior materials, navigation, additional safety features, and enhanced technology. It strikes a good balance between affordability and luxury.
SEL R-Line Black
Buyers seeking a more aggressive appearance should consider the SEL R-Line Black. Unique exterior styling elements, blacked-out trim, larger wheels, and sportier design details help distinguish it from the rest of the lineup.
SEL Premium R-Line
At the top of the range, the SEL Premium R-Line includes virtually every available luxury and technology feature. Premium seating surfaces, advanced driver-assistance systems, upgraded audio equipment, and exclusive styling elements create the most refined Atlas Cross Sport experience available.
Which Trim Does Cardrav Recommend?
For most buyers, the SE with Technology trim offers the best balance of value, comfort, and features. It adds several upgrades that noticeably improve the ownership experience without pushing the price into premium-SUV territory.
Buyers gain a larger infotainment display, additional driver-assistance technologies, enhanced convenience features, and a more refined overall package compared to the base SE. It delivers everything most families need while maintaining a reasonable price point.
Those seeking a more luxurious experience should consider the SEL or SEL Premium R-Line, but for the majority of shoppers, the SE with Technology remains the sweet spot in the Atlas Cross Sport lineup.
Final Verdict: Should You Buy It?
The 2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport succeeds by offering something many competitors struggle to balance: attractive styling without sacrificing practicality. While its coupe-inspired design gives it a more premium appearance than many midsize SUVs, it still provides generous passenger space and one of the largest cargo areas in the segment.
Its comfortable ride quality, spacious cabin, intuitive technology, and strong safety credentials make it an excellent family vehicle. Although the powertrains are not particularly exciting and fuel economy remains average, these shortcomings are unlikely to be deal-breakers for buyers focused on comfort and everyday usability.
For shoppers looking for a stylish two-row SUV that prioritizes space, refinement, and long-distance comfort, the 2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport remains one of the strongest choices in its class.
FAQ
Is the 2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport a Good Family SUV?
Yes. The 2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport is an excellent family SUV thanks to its spacious second row, large cargo area, comfortable ride quality, and comprehensive safety technology. It provides much of the practicality of a three-row SUV without the added size.
What Engine Does the 2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport Have?
The Atlas Cross Sport comes standard with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 235 horsepower. Buyers can also choose an available 3.6-liter V6 engine that generates 276 horsepower and offers greater towing capability.
How Much Can the 2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport Tow?
When properly equipped with the available V6 engine, the 2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport can tow up to 5,000 pounds. Models equipped with the turbocharged four-cylinder engine are rated to tow up to 2,000 pounds.
Is the 2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport Better Than the Honda Passport?
The answer depends on buyer priorities. The Honda Passport offers stronger V6 performance and a reputation for reliability, while the Atlas Cross Sport delivers more distinctive styling, a larger cargo area, and a more premium appearance.
Which 2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport Trim Is Best?
The SE with Technology trim offers the best overall value. It includes additional technology, safety features, and convenience equipment while remaining significantly more affordable than the higher SEL and SEL Premium R-Line models.
