What Is Volkswagen’s Best Midsize SUV?
Volkswagen currently only offers two midsize SUVs for the 2023 lineup—the VW Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport—but the all-electric 2023 VW ID.8 is on its way.
Written by Cameron Thiessen
Reviewed by Pat Roache
Volkswagen’s current contributions to the 2023 midsize SUV segment are the Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport. While they aren’t exactly a top choice among critics in the midsize SUV segment, either is sure to satisfy committed VW fans who want a practical SUV with plenty of space for both passengers and cargo.
Midsize SUVs are a popular choice for families who want a vehicle with the practicality of a minivan without compromising adventuring capability. While the smaller compact and subcompact choices are more common overall, none of them can provide what a midsize SUV like the Volkswagen Atlas can.
However, the 2023 Volkswagen ID.8 might be worth the wait, especially if you’re worried about how the Atlas measures up to competitors.
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Does Volkswagen have a midsize SUV?
Yes—the midsize VW SUV options are the
three-row Volkswagen Atlas
and the two-row Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
. Both are built on the same platform, but the Cross Sport smooths the square-back body of the three-row Atlas to bring it into competition with the sportier “SUV coupe” models that are burgeoning in popularity.While it hasn’t been released just yet, the 2023 Volkswagen ID.8 is also expected to arrive soon, a battery electric vehicle (BEV) expected to compete with the
Tesla Model X
and other three-row electric SUVs.What makes a midsize SUV?
The different size classifications of SUVs—subcompact, compact, mid-size, and full-size—are essentially defined by how each model compares to others in a given manufacturer’s lineup. A midsize SUV is defined as being bigger than a compact SUV and smaller than a full-size SUV.
While the Atlas is the biggest SUV on offer from Volkswagen, it’s not big enough to place it among full-size utes like the
Chevrolet Suburban
.Is the Volkswagen Tiguan a midsize SUV?
No. The Volkswagen Tiguan may be VW’s best-selling SUV, but it's part of the compact SUV/crossover class. It’s 14.6 inches shorter and 5.9 inches slimmer than the midsize Volkswagen Atlas. However, it does offer a cramped third row of seats—a rarity among compact SUVs.
Atlas vs. Atlas Cross Sport: which is the best midsize Volkswagen SUV?
Now that we know what we’re dealing with in the midsize SUV class, let’s explore the differences between the two versions of the VW Atlas. In truth, there’s not much distinguishing them in terms of performance—passenger space, cargo area, and style are the three main distinctions between these models.
2023 Volkswagen Atlas
MSRP range: $34,600 to $51,890
MPG: 18-21 city/23-25 hwy
Seating for: 6 to 7 passengers
The Volkswagen Atlas may not be nearly as fun to drive as smaller VW favorites like the Golf or Tiguan, but it makes up for its lack of driver engagement by providing a whole lot of space and practicality.
In its most basic form, the VW Atlas SE runs on a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with front-wheel drive (FWD) and an eight-speed automatic transmission. When fed premium fuel, this engine delivers 235 horsepower and allows for up to 2,000 pounds of towing capacity.
Upgrade to the 3.6-liter V6 engine and all-wheel drive (AWD)—both of which are included on the top-spec SEL Premium R-Line trim—and you’ll get 276 horsepower with regular gasoline and up to 5,000 pounds of towing.
The Atlas loses points with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for issues with headlights and slow seat belt reminders. Vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention also gets only a standard “Basic” rating—but it’s not all bad. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas an overall five-star safety rating.
Thanks to its third row of seating, the Volkswagen Atlas is available with seating for six or seven people. It’s one of the most spacious midsize SUVs out there offering 154 cubic feet of total passenger volume, 20.6 cubic feet of cargo behind the third row, and 96.8 cubic feet of maximum cargo area with the middle and rear seats folded down.
Highlights include:
- IQ.Drive semi-autonomous driver assistance system including adaptive cruise control, lane-centering, blind-spot monitoring, automated emergency braking, and more
- Selectable Active Control AWD modes including a tunable Custom Offroad setting
- 6.5 or 8.5-inch infotainment touchscreen
- Standard Wi-Fi hotspot
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility
- Third row is comfortable enough for adult passengers
- Better-than-average warranty including two years/20,000 miles of complimentary maintenance
Weaknesses include:
- Cheap interior materials
- Mediocre fuel economy
- Too many recalls
- Not all that exciting to drive
2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
MSRP range: $33,910 to $51,075
MPG: 18-21 city/24-25 hwy
Seating for: 5
Although it certainly has a slicker exterior style than the regular VW Atlas, the two-row Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport holds many similarities to its three-row sibling. It offers the same engine options, towing capacity specs, and only slightly better highway fuel economy with the AWD V6.
Safety ratings are also quite similar between the two. The Atlas Cross Sport has been impacted by many of the same recalls as the three-row model but still receives the same five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.
Total passenger volume in the Atlas Cross Sport is reduced to 112 cubic feet as a result of losing the third row, but no space is lost for passengers in the two rows that remain. There’s much more cargo space available without folding down any seats—40.3 cubic feet behind the second row. However, maximum cargo is reduced to only 77.8 cubic feet.
Highlights include:
- SUV coupe style offers more style and better aerodynamics
- IQ.Drive semi-autonomous driver assistance system including adaptive cruise control, lane-centering, blind-spot monitoring, automated emergency braking, and more
- Most of the same amenities as the three-row model
- Top trim includes leather-wrapped, multi-function sport heated steering wheel
Weaknesses include
- Not any more enjoyable to drive than the standard three-row Atlas
- Less maximum cargo space
2023 Volkswagen Atlas vs. 2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
2023 Volkswagen Atlas | 2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport | |
|---|---|---|
Starting MSRP | $34,600 | $33,910 |
Seating capacity | Five | Six or seven |
Fuel economy | 23 combined mpg | 23 combined mpg |
Base engine | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (235 hp, 258 lb-ft of torque) | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (235 hp, 258 lb-ft of torque) |
Total cargo volume | 96.8 cubic feet | 77.8 cubic feet |
Maximum towing capacity | 2,000 to 5,000 lbs | 2,000 to 5,000 lbs |
NHTSA safety rating | Five stars | Five stars |
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The bottom line
While the Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport are extremely similar, it’s hard to deny the value of an available third row, making the Atlas the better choice over the Atlas Cross Sport.
MORE: Volkswagen Atlas V6
Best midsize SUV competitors
Unfortunately, the Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport don’t garner the best ratings from critics overall. You may prefer one of these popular competitors instead:
- 2023Kia Telluride($35,690 starting MSRP): The Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade twins continue to receive the top ratings among critics as best-in-class midsize SUVs.
- 2023Toyota Highlander($36,420 starting MSRP): While it offers less space in the third row, the Highlander’s far superior fuel economy makes it worth a look as an alternative to the thirsty VW Atlas.
- 2023Hyundai Santa Fe($28,200 starting MSRP): If all you need is two rows, the Hyundai Santa Fe offers much of the same capability as the Atlas Cross Sport at a far more attractive starting price.
How to save on Volkswagen insurance
One difference between the Volkswagen Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport is that you’ll spend less money on car insurance for the two-row Cross Sport—an average of about $200 less per year.
But if you want to save an average of $800 per year on your car insurance for either model, use the
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