An Illuminating Refresh

Several years ago Volkswagen whacked five inches off its three-row Atlas SUV, lowered the roof a couple of inches, added a larger spoiler and yanked out the third row. The sleeker, sportier, roomier Atlas Cross Sport was born.

For 2024 the German carmaker decided it was time for a “refresh,” but VeeDub went a little crazy and revitalized it instead. It added pep with a new turbocharged engine, spiffed up its interior design and materials to near-Audi quality, and enhanced lighting and tech features to include parking sensors all-around and hands-free power lift gate.

Performance still falls a bit short of sport, in spite of its name. But new features inside and out are stunning, especially in the top-trim SEL Premium R-Line. Lighting accents alone are dazzling, if not overdone a tad, presenting a more upscale look. Some may be tempted to skip the pizza delivery and fetch it themselves, or find another excuse to sneak out at night.

The front gets new LED lighting, grille and bumper. Daytime running lights wrap around the headlights and merge into a light bar that sweeps across the grille and a big, illuminated VW logo. At the lower corners are integrated air intakes. 

A tapered roofline leads to an angled hatch and combined create the Cross Sport’s sleeker profile. Another light bar spans the rear. 

Powering all Cross Sports is a turbo four-cylinder engine, which replaces both the four- and six-cylinder from last year. Producing 269 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, the 2.0-liter engine’s output is similar to the old six-cylinder engine, but beats the four by 34 horses and 15 pound-feet. 

The throttle has been retuned but is a bit jumpy at take-off. The Cross Sport is not quick but is fine for most drivers, getting to 60 mph in 7 seconds and the quarter-mile in 15. An 8-speed automatic is smooth and timely in its shifts, but there are shift paddles behind the wheel even if they’re not as responsive as sportier VWs.

Enhancing grip is VW’s 4Motion all-wheel-drive system which activates before wheel spin occurs, the carmaker says. It’s a front wheel-biased system that redirects torque to where it’s needed. No adaptive suspension here but the MacPherson front and multi-link rear flatten the bumps well enough. It’s not particularly agile but delivers a well-mannered ride around town.

Cross Sport offers five standard drive modes which adapt the engine, transmission, steering and adaptive cruise control to varying conditions. Settings include Eco, Comfort, Sport, Snow and Custom. Sport mode changes the shift points and pumps engine sound into the speakers, but that can be turned off.

The SEL Premium R-Line adds a sixth mode, Offroad, which includes traction systems like Hill Descent and Hill Start Assist, but it’s not for the really rough terrain. Ground clearance is just 6.3 inches, approach angle 20.8 degrees and departure 25.1. Max towing capacity remains at 5,000 pounds, admirable for a midsize crossover.

Fuel economy is about average for the segment at 22 mpg combined; The EPA estimates 26 mpg on the highway, 19 in town.

The cabin gets a major and colorful upgrade. Heated and ventilated seats are trimmed in Vienna leather stitched in a diamond pattern with contrast piping. They are roomy and comfortable and the driver gets eight-way power adjustment.

Rear seaters have the same level of comfort and leg room (even for six-footers), thanks to the missing third row, and a reclining feature. They get their own AC vents and manual window shades. The center pull-down console has cup holders but lacks a decent arm rest.

What’s eye-opening is the amazing ambient lighting throughout, with a choice of 30 colors and a backlit dash. An illuminated Cross Sport logo embedded into the redesigned dashboard adds a touch of class. The center console also is reworked with a storage cubby underneath and illuminated cup holders. 

A 12-inch display houses VW’s new infotainment, which is responsive and has clean graphics and wireless app connections. Also available: wireless charging and up to six USB-C charging ports, all with 45-watt fast charging.

Unfortunately, stereo and climate knobs have been replaced by touch-sensitive controls, and some beneath the touchscreen are difficult to find at night. 

Volkswagen’s new, fully reconfigurable digital cockpit system is thorough and well designed. The 10.25-inch instrument cluster offers a bunch of viewing options with driving data, phone information, driver-assist features and even full-screen navigation. A head-up display adds more on the windshield.

The SEL Premium R-Line gets a Harmon Kardon audio system with speakers at front and in the rear pillars, plus woofers and tweeters in each door and a subwoofer in the rear. As expected, it sounds tremendous.

Cargo space is cavernous with 40.3 cubic feet of space at the rear, and 77.6 cubes when the 60/40-split second row is folded down. Beyond that, the cargo floor has deep pits on either side that are handy for jugs of milk, water and whatnot.

Besides typical safety features, Volkswagen’s IQ.Drive is standard on all trims and includes Travel Assist (see next paragraph) adaptive cruise control, front collision warning with automatic braking and pedestrian detection, blind spot monitor and rear traffic alert. 

Travel Assist, activated by a button on the heated steering wheel, enables semi-automated driving but you need to be diligent about keeping your hands on the wheel. There’s also a crash-response system which shuts off the fuel pump, unlocks the doors, and switches on hazard lights after a collision.

This crossover resides in a congested segment so it’s worth shopping around. But the Cross Sport SEL Premium R-Line, built in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and exclusive for the U.S., carries its weight for a sporty, comfortable and roomy crossover, and it has an illuminating personality. 

Barry Spyker was the automotive editor and columnist for the Miami Herald

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