53That package also adds variable-ratio
steering and air springs with more than
three inches of travel between the egress
N[Q\ß_\NQ]`VaV[ The Aviator carried its mass gracefully through rolling Napa vineyards during our Q_VcR6aaNfRQ[VPRYfb]VTUaV[P_[R and followed the driver’s intentions faith- fully, although that precision may come at a cost, even with the pothole-spotting, URVTUaNQWbaV[T b]R[V\[ 6[ aUR SRd spots where the pavement resembled sourdough crust, the body bounced and bobbled enough to make us wonder how it d\bYQ_VQR\[:VPUVTN[_\NQ
AUR.cVNa_μR^bV]ZR[aYVaVabßRQ
with the driver-assistance and connectiv-
VafSRNabR`f\bμQ¼[QV[N[f\aURZ\QR_[
Ybeb_fcRUVPYRDUNaRaaUR9V[P\Y[N]Na
is that the tech is unpretentious and easy to
b`RAUR]VN[\XRfTRNRYRPa\_N[\TVZ- micks touchscreen, physical climate con- trols, and the ability to use your phone as a key create an experience with no learning Pb_cR /RUV[Q aURRP[Q \d 9V[P\Y[
SNc\PN_T\_\\Z\cR_]N``R[TR_]NPR
Sitting back there is barely more comfort-
able than squatting on a sack of rice, and
squeezing between the C-pillar and the
RP\[Q_\dVNPUNYYR[TR/baaURRμ plenty of room behind the third row for four kids’ backpacks, sports bags, and a P\b]YRNPX`\ST\PRVR`
3_N[f[RV[aUR¼a\_RP[Q_\d
the Aviator delivers a genuine luxury
Re]RVR[PR6aμ^bVRadUR[f\bdN[a]RNPR N[Q^bVPXdUR[f\b[RRQ]RRQAUR.cVN-
tor will massage your backside while
subtly persuading your neighbors that
ObV[R`` V T\Q .[Q dUVYR dR dVU Va P\bYQ½faUV9V[P\Y[V[μaT\V[Ta\N]\Y\- TVgRS\_VaVgRAUR.cVNa\_VN]]R_
Ybeb_fcRUVPYRObVYaV[aUR.ZR_VPN[`afYR
Powerful and refined
engine, intuitive tech,
fetching looks.
Confined third row,
questionable ride quality,
still grounded.ATL AS SHRUNKED
FIRST DRIVECDaNXR`NYVaaYR\ßaURONPX\Sits three-row ute to make the Atlas Cross Sport
¼cR`RNaR__by Daniel Pundhere is nothing whatsoever sporty about the 2020 Volks-
wagen Atlas Cross Sport. We’re not sure there’s anything
cross about it, either. But what was VW supposed to call this
shortened version of its Atlas three-row SUV? The Atlas Shrunked? The
Atlas Minus 5.7 Inches?
Our suggestions would be marketing suicide, but they do
adequately describe this five-seater. Despite the Sport moniker, this
family hauler is nothing like the SUV coupes proliferating through
luxury carmakers’ lineups. Instead, the Cross Sport is to the Atlas as
the Honda Passport is to the Pilot. It’s the roomy mid-size SUV for
people who have no need for a third row of seating.
It rides on the same 117.3-inch wheelbase as the regular Atlas. It is
powered—actually slightly underpowered—by the same engines: a 235-
hp turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four or a 276-hp 3.6-liter narrow-angle
V-6. One notable difference between the Atlas and its mini-me version
is that the Cross Sport’s all-wheel-drive system can be paired with the
2.0-liter engine—an option that won’t grace the standard Atlas until the
2021 model year. On the road, the Cross Sport feels largely identical to
its slightly larger brother.
And while the big Atlas’s
interior is a study in sober,
sensible design, some of
the plastics are harder and
cheaper- feeling than they
should be. This is, predictably,
also true of the Cross Sport. Its
second-row head- and legroom
measurements are comparable
to those of the regular Atlas, but
this SUV has less cargo space
than its big brother because of
the clipped rear overhang.
VW isn’t talking about
pricing for the Cross Sport, but it should come in a bit lower than the
regular Atlas. The larger ute starts at $31,890 for 2019 and can exceed
$50,000 when fully equipped. It will also get a minor facelift so its
nose more closely matches that of the Atlas Shrunked, er, Cross Sport.
Come to think of it, maybe VW should instead rename the Atlas. May
we suggest the Atlas Cross Sport Plus 5.7 Inches?2020 Volkswagen Atlas
Cross Sport
BASE PRICE: $30,000 (est)
ENGINES: turbocharged and
intercooled DOHC 16-valve 2.0-liter
inline-4, 235 hp, 258 lb-ft; DOHC
24-valve 3.6-liter V-6, 276 hp, 266 lb-ft
TRANSMISSION: 8-speed automatic
PERFORMANCE (C/D EST)
ZERO TO 60 MPH: 7.1–8.1 sec
STANDING 1/4-MILE: 15.5–16.2 sec
TOP SPEED: 115 mph
FUEL ECONOMY (C/D EST)
EPA COMBINED/CITY/HWY:
21–23/18–21/25–27 mpgT