2026 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport Review, Pricing, and Specs

Car and Driver

5 hours ago

Overview
Dig the Volkswagen Atlas but looking for an SUV with above-average stylistic expression? Then the 2026 Atlas Cross Sport is for you. A mechanical doppelganger to the Atlas under the skin, the Cross Sport's sloping roofline looks sleek, but—and this may be a dealbreaker for some—eliminates the third row of seating. That rakish profile also consumes some cargo space, reducing it from 56 cubic feet in the standard Atlas to 40 cubic feet in the Cross Sport. VW's versatile turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine pairs with an eight-speed automatic transmission as the sole powertrain. Four-wheel drive is optional on SE models, and standard across the rest of the lineup. For drivers who prioritize vibe over versatility, the Cross Sport fills in the blanks.
What's New for 2026?
Refreshed for 2024, the 2026 Atlas Cross Sport carries over essentially unchanged, although SE with Technology trims and above receive a factory-installed HomeLink mirror that allows users to program its three buttons to open the garage door or operate other cloud-based home devices.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
The price of the 2026 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport is expected to start around $39,000 and go up to $54,000 depending on the trim and options.
SE
$39,000 (est)
SE with Technology
$43,000 (est)
SEL
$49,000 (est)
SEL R-Line Black
$51,000 (est)
SEL Premium R-Line
$54,000 (est) 0 $10k $20k $30k $40k $50k $60k $70k $80k $90k
We maintain that the base SE model offers the strongest value. VW ramped up the SE's standard content as part of the 2024 refresh, and it now includes heated and ventilated front seats; a heated steering wheel, steering-wheel-mounted shift paddles; a standard 12-inch infotainment display along with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto; wireless charging; and six USB-C ports with fast charging capability. One caveat: If towing is in the menu, you'll want to step up to the SEL with Technology or above to get the tow hitch and 5000-pound max tow rating.
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Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The Atlas Cross Sport and its three-row Atlas sibling both utilize a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine rated for 269 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. The sole available engine, it brings 34 more hp than the previous inline four-cylinder and 7 more pound-feet of torque than the previous VR6 six-cylinder. Shifts are handled by an 8-speed automatic. With no significant changes to the chassis, the Cross Sport's road manners remain competent and benign, far from exciting. Though we haven't fully tested the Atlas Cross Sport yet, initial driving impressions revealed that while it's not as lively as a Honda Passport, it does have a comfortable ride and a wonderfully quiet cabin.
0–60-MPH Times
We haven't tested a new Cross Sport yet, but a standard 2024 Atlas with the same powertrain managed a 7.3-second run to 60 mph in C/D testing. Our test engineers estimate the Cross Sport's zero-to-60 time to land between 6.7 and 6.9 seconds, while the quarter mile run should consume between 15.1 and 15.3 seconds.
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Volkswagen
More on the Atlas Cross Sport SUV
2024 VW Atlas Cross Sport Enhances Its Image
Towing and Payload Capacity
The maximum towing capacity for the 2026 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport is 5000 pounds on SEL with Technology or above models with a factory-installed hitch. The base SE trim is rated for up to 2000 pounds.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
The EPA hasn't released any fuel economy information for the 2026 Atlas Cross Sport yet, but the 2025 model earned ratings of 20 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined. Adding four-wheel drive drops the city rating by 1 to 19 mpg and the combined rating by 2 to 21 mpg, while highway remains unchanged. While we haven't yet subjected a Cross Sport to our 75-mph highway fuel economy test, a standard three-row Atlas with the same engine and all-wheel drive returned 25 mpg. For more information about the Atlas Cross Sport's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
The 2025 Atlas Cross Sport provides occupants with more upscale interior ambiance than before, thanks to improved cabin materials and an expanded palette of trim styles. Standard features include heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, tri-zone climate control, a leatherette-trimmed dash with soft-touch material, and adjustable ambient lighting. Heated rear seats are available for higher trims, and range-topping models will also feature fancy quilted leather seats with diamond stitching. The Atlas (Cross Sport or otherwise) has always been a spacious mid-size SUV with ample legroom for second- and third-row passengers. Maximum passenger volume is 112 cubic feet, and there's 40 cubic feet of cargo volume behind the second row and 78 cubic feet with it folded.
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Volkswagen
Infotainment and Connectivity
Every Atlas Cross Sport is equipped with a configurable 10.3-inch digital display. It is also fitted out with a 12.0-inch infotainment display. Unfortunately, VW's annoying touch-sensitive controls aren't as easy to use as a traditional knob or button. Additional standard devices include six USB-C ports with fast-charge capability, wireless charging, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. And if six USB ports aren't enough for you, an optional eight-port configuration is also available. Beyond that, a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot lets occupants remain connected to the internet while on the go.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Volkswagen equips all Atlas Cross Sports with its suite of IQ.Drive driver assistance tech, which provides features like lane-keep assist and forward-collision warning. Other safety features include automated emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring, but if you want more advanced driver-assistance features such as adaptive cruise control or a head-up display, then you'll have to go with one of the higher trim levels. For more information about the Atlas's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
Standard automated emergency braking with forward-collision warning
Standard lane-centering and blind-spot monitoring
Available adaptive cruise control
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
While most mainstream brands start with a three-year/36,000-mile warranty, Volkswagen offers a four-year/50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper policy. The powertrain warranty falls behind others, which stretch to five or even 10 years. As some consolation, VW covers the first two years of scheduled maintenance.
Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
Powertrain warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
Complimentary maintenance is covered for two years or 20,000 miles
Specifications
Specifications
2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
Vehicle Type: front-engine, front- or all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon
PRICE
Base: SE, $38,065; SE 4Motion, $39,965; SE Technology, $42,005; SE Technology 4Motion, $43,905; SEL 4Motion, $48,785; SEL R-Line 4Motion, $50,235; SEL Premium R-Line 4Motion, $52,795
ENGINE
turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve inline-4, iron block and aluminum head, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 121 in3, 1984 cm3
Power: 269 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque: 273 lb-ft @ 1600 rpm
TRANSMISSION
8-speed automatic
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 117.3 in
Length: 195.5–195.6 in
Width: 78.3 in
Height: 67.8–68.1 in
Passenger Volume, F/R: 58/53 ft3
Cargo Volume, Behind F/R: 78/40 ft3
Curb Weight (C/D est): 4400–4600 lb
PERFORMANCE (C/D EST)
60 mph: 6.7–6.9 sec
1/4-Mile: 15.1–15.3 sec
Top Speed: 120 mph
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 22–23/19–20/26–27 mpg
More Features and Specs