2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport 2.0T 4Motion - Bottom Line Review

SHARED GLOBE HOLDER BOLDER VERSION 1.5 : The burden of rebellion is lessened when shared. Teutonic automaker Volkswagen discovered that the brand's entire North American full size SUV burden should not fall entirely on a three row Titan. Hence it launched a smaller two row deity. The truncated celestial orb holding deity now appears refreshed and updated as the 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport sport activity vehicle.

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WHAT: 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport 2.0T SEL 4-Motion 2- Row mid size crossover sport activity vehicle. This is a mid-cycle update to the type launched as the 2020 VW Atlas Cross Sport, continuing on the MQB platform.

Std. Power: The 3.6 liter VR-6 has officially exited all Volkswagen engine bays for North America. In its place comes an uprated EA888 Generation 3 turbo inline-four, which powered the North American VW Arteon sportback sedan through 2021. Net horsepower nearly matches and torque figures exceed those for the Mk. 1 Atlas 3.6 VR-6, and, importantly, ditto goes for rated towing capacity.

_{Manufacturer Provided Specifications @2024 Roadblazing.com} ¹-20% fuel economy due to cold weather

WHAT (A) STYLING DIFFERENCE(S): The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport remains a stubbier (by 2.8"-inches) MQB platform sport activity coupe version of the full size VW Atlas 3-Row. Any departures from the original Atlas Cross Sport are subtle, mostly ornamental, with a few cues adopted from the VW Taos compact crossover.

Exterior Retained: √ Flared wheel arches and punched out liftgate; √ Slender D-pillar + prominent buttressed roof spoiler = floating roof effect; √ Wheel arch tracing meeting pronounced cheat-line creases are shared with big brother as are lower door creases fold into dark body cladding; √ Fender to front door chrome portholes along the cheatline crease.

√ Split wrap-around, inverse L-shaped tail-light housings gain a straked pattern; √ Chrome band connecting taillamps embossed with "ATLAS" model designation; √ Corner vents on the lower rear fascia replace former tail pipe cutouts split by a darkened faux skid plate.

Exterior Gained FOR "24: √ Sub-hood upper grille light bar; √ Darkened triple lateral bar & chain-link grille; √ Stacked element LED headlamp housings; √ Split front bumper cover + corner fangs w/ darkened lateral straking; √ Cross segmented lower front fascia; √ Full span rear mid liftgate lightbar; √ Lower rear diffuser + simulated twin rectangular dual exhaust outlets; √ Front + rear illuminating "VW" emblems

WHY: Mid-cycle update to globe toting carrying Sport Activity Vehicle Coupe enhances illumination, efficient grunt and occupant comfort.

WHEN: On-Sale (in the U.S.) since Winter 2023-2024

WHERE: Volkswagen new vehicle dealers

WHERE MADE:Chattanooga, Tennessee, U.S.A.

WHERE TO: available Haldex all-wheel drive, e-varies front/ rear traction from 90/10% - lockable at maximum 50/50%, rear e-clutch differential limits the slip; ABS descent control

Drive Mode Select: Eco, Sport, Comfort, Snow & Off-Road^{(4Motion equipped exclusively)}

_{Manufacturer Provided Specifications @2024 Roadblazing.com}

HOW ROADWORTHY: Improved cooling and higher fuel pressure contributes to a more fortified EA 888 Gen. 3 turbo twin-cam gas straight four, which nearly matches the power of the ditched optional 3.6L VR-6. Torque is bumped substantially at much lower engine speed. Another upside is the 40% improvement in combined fuel economy. The downside: the 8-speed plantetary automatic which is over-eager to leap to the highest gear. It almost leaves the enthusiast wanting for the excellent Borg Warner DSG dual clutch transmission which was available in the 2022-2023 VW Arteon sport executive sedan.

The driving mission of the 2024 VW Atlas Cross Sport, arguably, remains a sedated one. The rigid MQB platform comes into stride with even greater obliviousness to glaring road ripples despite rolling on optional 21" wheels. The body tucks with restrained roll in transitions. Confidence in higher speed maneuvering however suffers from excessively detached steering feedback and tepid initial brake brake pedal initial reaction. From the occupants' seat the experience is serene gliding Teutonic style.

HOW FAR:24 combined miles per gallon = +42% vs. VW Atlas 3-Row VR6 4Motion; 483 miles estimated range

HOW BIG/ LITTLE: √ 5 Occupant seating; √ Identical wheelbase to VW Atlas 3-Row; √ 60/40% split sliding/ tilting 2nd Row bench seat; √ Panoramic moonroof with power sunshade swipes a bit of headroom; √ Tops the segments cargo space. -1 scalp brushing 2.5" headroom loss to VW Atlas 3-Row.

• 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport dimensions and capacities:

_{Manufacturer Provided Specifications @2024 Roadblazing.com}

HOW USEFUL: √ Flat folding 60/40% split sliding, tilting 2nd Row seats; √ Power approach activated liftgate (SEL); √ Floating center stack + ample handbag storage; √ Cups holders x 4, bottle holders (in door pockets) x 4.

• +1 Low load floor; Tall greenhouse helps minimizes side blindspots; 2nd Row folds lower than cargo bay floor
• +/- Spacious, but uncovered, lower center stack wireless device connections storage; Some sub-floor storage
• -1 Shallow sub center arm rest bin; Fixed center armrest; Tall tailgate lift height; Cargo floor lacks strap / latch to lock open

HOW SAFE:√ 6 airbags; √ IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus; √ Rear camera; √ Reverse tilting passenger side mirror.

DRIVER ASSISTANCE = I.Q. Drive: √ Front & rear radar; √ Front collision & pedestrian avoidance braking; √ Blind spot & rear cross traffic warning & avoidance braking; √ Adaptive cruise control, stop & go; √ Lane keep assist; √ Travel Assist hands-on capacitive steering wheel semi-autonomy; √ Auto high beam LED headlamps

Available (on trims): √ 360^o Surround cameras; √ Park Distance warning, front + rear (SE and up); √ Park Steering Assist, parallel + perpendicular; √ Road sign display; √ Adaptive LED headlights; √ Exit warning.

-1 Lane departure warning alarm triggered too easily.

HOW PEOPLE FRIENDLY: The 2024 VW Atlas Cross Sport continues cabin minimalization through adoption of new connective technology, with a more capable operational user interface, with impressive voice command capability. However, the update brings more touches of refinement. Display graphics have been improved, and there is more contrasting in materials as well as touch point padding. New accent panels offer improved contrast, though some are more ersatz than others. At least the bewildering myriad of operational settings can be adjusted from a more serene environment.

√ Leather seating; √ Generous wide seat cushions √ 10-way driver, 8-way front passenger power seats; √ Heated 1st & 2nd row seats, Cooled 1st Row; √ Heated leather steering wheel with spoke integrated tactile redundant controls; √ 2-zone automatic climate control; √ Power windows x 4 full express; -1 Fixed front center armrest; -1 Limited steering wheel reach adjustment; -1 Unyielding seat cushions;

Cool Gizmo(s): √ NEW FOR '24 shift by wire toggle center console transmission lever; √ Media display gesture activation; √ Panoramic glass roof;^{(-1 Finger touch + drag overhead console operation)} √ 10.25" inch Digital Cockpit Pro configurable LCD instrument cluster w/ infotainment navigation map mirroring; √ 30 variable color ambient cabin dash, door panel & footwell illumination + passenger side dashboard "Cross Sport" lettering set in stars; √ Overhead console finger drag zone map lighting.

Details Done Right: √ Blue contrast quilted seat inserts; √ Contrast stitched seam leatherette dash top & upper door panels; √ Aluminum pedals + rubber grips; √ Brushed metal door panel latch release & speaker housing; √ Ersatz carbon fiber dashboard accents; √ Steel high frequency audio speaker grills; √ Foot well & door panel ambient lighting; √ Exquisite soft touch piano black key FOB (matching center console trim); √ Felt lined door pockets minimizes change or keys jingle jangling;

Nearly Non-Descript: -1 Illogical stacking of two dash corner climate vents; -1 Overly shiny simulated carbon fiber dashboard and door accents; -1 Coarse grain below waist-height plastic cabin trim; -1 Glossy tablet style infotainment screen = "fingerprint magnet."

HOW CONNECTED: √ NEW FOR '24 MIB 3 "Discover" tablet style 12.0" flat-panel capacative touch LCD tri-pane infotainment screen w/ hand proximity menu populating + page selectable app widgets; √ Voice command hands-free Bluetooth communications; √ GPS HDD Navigation √ wireless Android Auto + Apple Car Play smart phone app projection; √ Amazon Alexa commands; √ 180 W, 6- speaker streaming audio; √ VW Media Control media playback on connected in-cabin mobile devices; √ USB-C x 5, 115V AC x 1 (Row 2), 12V x 1 (cargo); √ Qi inductive lower center stack wireless charging pad.

• -1 Touch to slide panel controls for cabin temperature + audio volume replaces physical knobs; Gone is the glove box accessory audio CD player;

Audibly Speaking: 12 speaker, 400 Watt Harman/Kardon premium audio brings punch & less shrill highs but lacks soundstage depth.

HOW "APP" -LICABLE: √ Subscription based VW Car-Net telematics; √ VW Media Control media playback on connected in-cabin mobile devices; √ USB x 5, 115V AC x 1 (Row 2), 12V x 1 (cargo); √ Wireless charger; √ Parkopedia^TM native navigation off-street parking information locator;

HOW MUCH: $52,795 = 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport 2.0T SEL Premium R-Line 4Motion as tested

WHAT'S MISSING: Better steering feel and high speed tracking; How about some night illumination for the aforementioned cabin temp and audio volume touch slide controls.

ANY COMPETITION: Ford Edge: +1 Sport tuned chassis damping, available V-6^(ST) ; Honda Passport: +1 Tow rating, V6 + 9-speed automatic, rugged looks; Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy : +1 Fit & finish, value

RB BOTTTOM LINE: Newly illuminated wannabe Audi Q8 illuminates with more efficient grunt & ambience.