A somewhat smaller expression of the Atlas, the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport rolls into showrooms unchanged.
In addition to being marginally smaller, the Cross Sport is more affordable than the regular Atlas by roughly $700.
The Ford Edge, Chevy Blazer, and Honda Passport are among the Cross Sport rivals.
VW edited out the third-row seat in styling the Cross Sport and provided a forward rake to the rear liftgate. This gives the Cross Sport a coupe-like appearance typically found on luxury-brand SUVs.
It also conveys a more carefree attitude than the more traditionally styled Atlas.
With the third row gone, the cargo space behind the second-row seat is cavernous. Yet, there is still plenty of legroom for five adults in rows one and two.
One change Volkswagen did make is a streamlining of trim levels. Completely erasing the S grade, SE is now Cross Sport’s ground-floor trim.
This year’s grade lineup is SE, SE w/Technology, SEL, SEL R-Line, and SEL Premium R-Line.
We’ve already mentioned the second-row legroom and oversized cargo area as two of our likes. We also appreciate the choice of a 4-cylinder turbo or V6 engine, the user-friendly technology, and the lack of instrument-panel clutter.
Power & Fuel Economy
We will mention the same gripe here as we did in the 2022 Atlas trim review because Cross Sport gets the same two-engine lineup. Neither engine inspires passion. Moreover, neither delivers overly impressive fuel economy.
Front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard in the SE and SE w/technology. Optional ($1,900) in those two grades and standard in the rest of the lineup is 4Motion, all-wheel drive (AWD) in VW speak.
Generating go in all but the SEL Premium R-Line is a 235-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. Optional ($1,750) in the lower trims but standard in the SEL Premium R-Line is a 276-hp 3.6-liter V6.
VW pairs both engines with an 8-speed automatic transmission.
The EPA fuel-economy figures for the turbocharged 2.0-liter Cross Sport are 21 miles per gallon in the city, 25 mpg on the highway, and 23 mpg in combined driving with RWD. Opting for AWD doesn’t mean much to the mileage. Those numbers are 20 mpg/24 mpg/22 mpg.
For the V6, the EPA figures are 18 mpg city/24 mpg highway/20 mpg combined (FWD and 4Motion AWD).
2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport SE (starting at $32,775)
The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport SE is now available, starting at $32,775.
The standard content includes 18-inch alloy wheels, LED exterior lights (auto on-off headlights, taillights, and daytime running lights), and fog lights.
Also included are heated power outboard mirrors with integrated turn signals, a tilt-telescopic steering wheel, a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and air conditioning.
Heated front seats, faux-leather seating surfaces, two 12-volt power ports, hill-hold control, and the Digital Cockpit with an 8-inch nonconfigurable display are also standard.
Keyless entry with push-button start is included.
The infotainment system has a 6.5-inch touchscreen, a 6-speaker audio system, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Wi-Fi hotspot capability, and two USB ports.
The driver aids are forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.
You can add a frameless rearview mirror with a Homelink transceiver for $355.
For $450, you can score an extended-range key fob.
Adding the $1,195 destination fee to the SE base price brings the total to $33,970. With no money down, financing for 60 months at 3% interest works out to $610 per month. See 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport SE models for sale
2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport SE includes:
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – Allows your smartphone to interface with your vehicle. Not only can you access the music on your phone, but you can also send messages, receive messages, make calls, and so forth through your vehicle’s media system.
- LED exterior lighting – This includes headlights with auto on-off, taillights, and daytime running lights (DRLs). LEDs illuminate a wider and longer area than regular incandescent lights. That means they are also easier for other drivers to see.
- Driver aids – Included are forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.
2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport SE w/Technology (starting at $36,945)
The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport SE w/Technology is now available, starting at $36,945.
As with the Atlas, we think the SE w/Technology represents the best mix of content and price. It includes all the essentials and provides such features as adaptive cruise control and a hands-free power liftgate.
The SE w/Technology builds on the SE content. It adds 20-inch alloy wheels, more USB ports, a 115-volt power outlet, and guidelines in the rearview camera display.
Also included are front-rear park assist, adaptive cruise control, a remote-open hands-free power liftgate, and remote engine start.
Other standard content includes an 8-inch touchscreen, satellite radio capability, voice control, wireless phone charging, and dual-zone automatic climate control.
In addition to the SE options, a power panoramic sunroof will set you back $1,200.
Adding the $1,195 destination fee to the SE w/Technology base price equals $38,140. With no money down for 60 months at 3% interest, financing works out to $685 per month. See 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport SE w/Technology models for sale
2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport SE w/Technology includes:
- Front-rear park assist – Sensors on the front and rear bumpers detect when an object is close, triggering a warning.
- Hands-free power liftgate – With the key fob on your person, stick your foot under the rear bumper. The liftgate automatically opens.
- Dual-zone automatic climate control – A set-it-and-forget-it system, it divides the vehicle into left and right regions. It provides separate temperature settings for each region. Once set, it automatically maintains the preset temperatures.
2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport SEL (starting at $42,545)
The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport SEL is now available, starting at $42,545.
To the SE w/Technology, SEL adds 4Motion, adaptive front lights, driver’s seat/outboard mirrors memory, and a power panoramic sunroof.
Also included are a heated steering wheel, a 10-way power-adjustable passenger seat, road-sign assist, hands-on-wheel detection sensors, and high-beam assist.
Hill-descent control, the driver-configurable Digital Cockpit with a 10.25-inch display, and navigation are also standard.
SEL is where VW bundles the already standard driver aids into its IQ.Drive with lane-keeping assist with steering and Travel Assist.
The option package with Homelink is also available in SEL and throughout the grade lineup.
Adding the $1,1195 destination fee to the SEL base price equals $43,740. Financing with no money down for 60 months at 3% interest works out to a monthly payment of $781. See 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport SEL models for sale
2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport SEL includes:
- Travel Assist – Semi-autonomous, this system helps the driver accelerate, brake, and steer the vehicle under certain conditions.
- Digital Cockpit – This driver-configurable display includes key gauges and other driver information.
- Adaptive front lights – These headlights swivel with the front wheels to light the way when taking a curve or making a turn.
2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport SEL R-Line (starting at $43,945)
The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport SEL R-Line is now available, starting at $43,945.
SEL R-Line is an appearance package with air intakes located on either side of the lower grille and a few other badges and accents.
Adding the $1,195 destination fee to the SEL R-Line base price brings the total to $45,140. With no money down, financing for 60 months at 3% interest works out to $790 per month. See 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport SEL R-Line models for sale
2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport SEL R-Line Black (starting at $44,495)
Another R-Line appearance package with black wheels and other assorted black elements.
Adding the $1,195 destination fee to the SEL R-Line Black base price equals $45,690. With no money down for 60 months at 3% interest, financing works out to $821 per month. See 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport SEL R-Line Black models for sale
2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport SEL Premium R-Line (starting at $49,945)
2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport SEL Premium R-Line is now available, starting at $49,945.
The Premium R-Line builds on the SEL R-Line.
It adds the V6 engine, 21-inch alloy wheels, power auto-folding outboard mirrors, a factory-installed trailer hitch, upgraded ventilated front sport seats, and perforated leather seating.
Also included are a heated rear seat, rear-seat sunshades, a 360-degree bird’s-eye view camera, Parking Steering Assistant, and a 12-speaker Fender audio system.
Adding the $1,195 destination fee to the SEL Premium R-Line base price brings the total to $51,140. With no money down for 60 months at 3% interest, financing works out to $919 per month. See 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport SEL Premium R-Line models for sale
2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport SEL Premium R-Line includes:
- Ventilated front seats – Blowing cool air, they help keep you comfortable in hot weather.
- Surround-view camera – It provides a 360-degree bird’s-eye view around the vehicle.
- Park Steering Assistant – This active parking system helps the driver parallel and perpendicular park.
