Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport Execline 2024: This Week's Review

The Volkswagen Group comprises several brands, including Porsche, Lamborghini, and Audi. As such, certain Volkswagen models benefit from the expertise and technologies developed to meet much higher standards than those found in most mainstream vehicles. Thus, the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport enjoys a significant advantage over its rivals, something that is evident and tangible.

For 2024, Volkswagen has made several small improvements to the Atlas Cross Sport, especially in terms of aesthetics, along with adding new rims. The German manufacturer's SUV was already very competitive, but now we're talking about another level. Hence, this is why I chose to review this model.

Driving Experience

As mentioned earlier, the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport has a major advantage over the competition by being part of the Volkswagen family. This is also something felt in its driving experience. It's an agile model, with precise handling without feeling too heavy, and its ride comfort is exceptional. It's a vehicle in which I could easily clock tens of thousands of kilometers on the road each year.

The German manufacturer's SUV is powered by a small 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, delivering 269 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. The low-end torque is impressive, and the Atlas Cross Sport has no trouble getting up to speed. However, I find it quickly runs out of breath during strong accelerations. A more generous engine would be greatly appreciated. Moving on, the German manufacturer's SUV comes with an 8-speed automatic transmission as standard, and all-wheel drive is also offered. The latter is particularly effective. The brand advertises an average fuel consumption of 10.8 L/100 km for its SUV. In my opinion, this is quite realistic since I managed to achieve an average consumption of 9.6 L/100 km on the highway and 11.2 L/100 km in the city.

Design and Technologies

I've always liked the Volkswagen Atlas, but I must admit that Volkswagen has hit the mark with the Cross Sport version, which offers a more muscular appearance. In fact, the German manufacturer's SUV is practically a dressed-up Audi Q8, and that's one of the reasons why, in my opinion, it's so popular. The manufacturer has made excellent choices in terms of colors, and the new rims are simply superb. The only criticism I have for Volkswagen here is designing a rear bumper with fake four-tip exhaust outlets when there are only two that exit under the vehicle. It's frankly disappointing for a vehicle whose concept is otherwise so well thought out.

The interior of the Atlas Cross Sport is breathtaking, especially at night when the ambient lighting shines brightly. It feels like being in a luxury vehicle. The designers have done excellent work in this regard, especially in terms of customization. The fact that the icons of the multimedia system and the dashboard match the rest of the ambient lighting makes everything much more harmonious and pleasing to the eye.

The overall finishing quality is impressive in the Atlas Cross Sport. There are no creaks or annoying noises. You can feel that the engineers have worked hard on soundproofing. Finally, there are interesting design elements throughout the cabin, with diamond patterns on the seats or the refined style of the gear lever. The attention to detail is truly high in the German manufacturer's SUV.

Price and Equipment

For this week's review, Volkswagen provided me with an Atlas Cross Sport in the Execline version. This is the ultimate version offered for the model with all the candy options. In fact, I must admit that we are dangerously close to an Audi Q8 here, and that too for a much more reasonable price. The version I tested came with a bill of $61,645 including transportation and preparation fees, which is nearly $34,000 less than what is asked for an entry-level Audi Q8. Granted, the two models don't have the same mechanics, and the Q8 offers a higher finish, but the Atlas Cross Sport offers a significantly better experience than Audi models from just five years ago. If your budget is more limited but you still want to purchase a Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, know that it is also available in Comfortline version for $52,160 and in Highline version for $59,160.

As for the equipment, the version I tested benefited from 21-inch rims, a 360-degree camera system, and a heads-up display. Let me tell you, the list goes on. In short, you'll get your money's worth with the German manufacturer's SUV.

Author's Recommendations

The Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport is a model that I highly recommend to anyone who wants to treat themselves, as there's the regular Atlas and the Tiguan which cater to similar needs. With the Atlas Cross Sport, you're close to an Audi with a much more reasonable bill, and that's what makes the model so appealing.

Jean-Sébastien Poudrier