Live Thread: One Week with a 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

Colin
By Colin Wood
Apr 17, 2024 | Volkswagen, VW, New Car Review, Live Thread, Atlas Cross Sport

Photography by Chris Tropea

Wanna ride shotgun with GRM?

Welcome to this week’s test vehicle, a 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport 2.0T SEL R-Line.

You might be asking yourself, "What's the difference between the regular Atlas and the Cross Sport?" We'll let VW explain:

The Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport combines the winning formula of the seven-seater Atlas—ample interior space, plus a host of comfort and technology features at an attractive price—with bold design for a stylish five-seater.

Now that we have that cleared up, all 2024 Atlas Cross Sports come powered by a 2.0-liter, turbocharged inline-four rated at 269 horsepower and 283 lb.-ft. of torque. That's backed by an eight-speed automatic transmission. Depending on the trim, customers can also have their choice of front- or all-wheel drive.

Our all-wheel-drive, SEL R-Line tester sits just under the top trim (the SEL Premium R-Line), carrying an MSRP of $51,445 and a final sticker price of $53,190.

VW also notes that all Atlas Cross Sport models have a towing capacity of up to 5000 pounds.

Questions? Comments? Feel free to post them below.

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Comments
Chris Tropea
Chris Tropea Associate Editor
4/17/24 2:50 p.m.

The interior on the Atlas has been a nice place to spend time, the seats are comfortable, with the fronts having both heated and cooling options. A favorite feature has been the panoramic sunroof. 

gearheadE30
gearheadE30 Dork
4/17/24 2:52 p.m.

I like the updated front end styling. Reminds me of Ford. 

Since you have both of them....this, or the Kia?

ninja edit: This ford: 

Chris Tropea
Chris Tropea Associate Editor
4/17/24 2:56 p.m.

One issue I have with this SUV and a lot of the VW lineup is the lack of physical buttons. Almost everything is controlled by the infotainment screen through different menus that are not easy to navigate while driving. There are a few capacitive touch buttons for the AC temps and audio volume controls but at night they are not easy to see because they are not back lit. 

Chris Tropea
Chris Tropea Associate Editor
4/17/24 2:58 p.m.

In reply to gearheadE30 :

I do really like how this car looks, inside and out, especially the exterior color. 

As for this vs the Kia, David and I will have to compare notes and come back with a verdict. 

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
4/17/24 2:59 p.m.

The biggest shock for me: going from the Silverado (all the buttons) to this (very few buttons).

I’m thinking that the Kia Sorento has the right amount of buttons. 

Chris Tropea
Chris Tropea Associate Editor
4/17/24 3:02 p.m.

In reply to David S. Wallens :

I agree with that, I don't need buttons for everything, but for the things I am using every time I get in the car its nice to have an easy way to use those controls.

Chris Tropea
Chris Tropea Associate Editor
4/17/24 3:18 p.m.

One great thing with the Atlas is the amount of room inside. Not a big surprise since this also comes in a 3 row version but there is tons of room in the trunk. I was able to easily fit all my video gear in the back with room to spare. 

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
4/17/24 3:43 p.m.
Chris Tropea said:

In reply to David S. Wallens :

I agree with that, I don't need buttons for everything, but for the things I am using every time I get in the car its nice to have an easy way to use those controls.

Knobs for volume and temperature, please. 

Chris Tropea
Chris Tropea Associate Editor
4/17/24 7:05 p.m.

Also on the subject of interior space the back seat has tons of leg room. We took a drive to Orlando over the weekend with a few friends and they complemented the Atlas on how roomy it was. Here is a picture of me sitting behind my seating position in the car, for reference I am 5'11". 

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
4/18/24 9:23 a.m.

I didn’t get a chance to sit in the back seat but, dang, that’s roomy. 

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