4.28.2020

Atlas Shrunk: The 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport 2.0T SEL

Front 3/4 view of 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
The 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport.
Regular readers know we have a lot of respect for the Volkswagen Atlas and for its smaller sibling, the Volkswagen Tiguan.  Now there's an in-between option---the 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport.



Rear 3/4 view of 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

The Cross Sport takes the Atlas down from a three-row to a two-row configuration.  It's 2.8 inches shorter than the standard Atlas and the payoff stylistically is a swoopy new roofline to emphasize the "Sport" in the name.

Hood up on 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport 2.0T SEL

Engine in 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport 2.0T SEL

Under the hood, it's a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder making 235 horsepower (a 276 horsepower V6 is optional), mated to an eight-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission and VW's 4MOTION all-wheel drive system.  EPA fuel economy estimate: 18 city/23 highway.

We'd probably opt for the V6, not only for the extra 41 horsepower, but because the fuel economy penalty is next to nothing---the V6 EPA estimate is 17 city/23 highway.

Hatch open on 2020 Volkswagen Atlats Cross Sport 2.0T SEL

Rear cargo area in 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport 2.0T SEL

Rear seat in 2020 Volkswagen Cross Sport 2.0T SEL

Front seats in 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport 2.0T SEL

There are eight (eight!) trim lines of the 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport.  Our tester, the SEL, is third from the top.  Base price is $41,445, which includes a long list of standard features:


  • Engine stop/start system
  • Four-wheel independent suspension
  • Anti-lock disc brakes
  • Anti-slip regulation
  • Engine brake assist
  • Electronic brake pressure distribution
  • Hydraulic brake assist
  • Electronic stability control
  • Electronic differential lock
  • Rear view camera system
  • Tire pressure monitoring system
  • 20-inch alloy wheels with all-season tires
  • Automatic LED headlights with LED daytime running lights
  • LED taillights
  • Adaptive front lighting system
  • Integrated fog and cornering lights
  • Heated, foldable side mirrors with position memory, integrated turn signals and passenger side auto-tilt
  • Rain-sensing variable intermittent wipers with heated washer nozzles
  • Rear wiper/washer
  • Panoramic sunroof
  • Silver roof rails
  • Climatronic dual-zone automatic climate control with second-row air vents
  • Heated, leather-wrapped, three-spoke steering wheel with multifunction
  • Tilting and telescoping adjustable steering column
  • Heated, ten-way power-adjustable driver's seat with lumbar and memory
  • Eight-way power-adjustable front passenger seat
  • 60/40 split folding rear seat; folds flat and reclines with center armrest
  • V-Tex leatherette seating surfaces
  • Center console with dual USB charging ports, cupholders, armrest and storage
  • USB charging-only ports in first and second rows
  • Second-row 115V power outlet
  • Illuminated, carpeted cargo area with tie-down hooks and 12V power port
  • Auto-dimming interior rearview mirror
  • Front footwell lights
  • Reading lights (first and second rows)
  • Illuminated vanity mirrors
  • Digital instrument display
  • Dynamic road sign display
  • Park distance control, front and rear
  • Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go
  • Forward collision warning
  • Autonomous Emergency Braking with pedestrian monitoring (front assist)
  • Active blind spot monitor and rear cross-traffic alert
  • Lane keeping system (lane assist) and traffic jam assist
  • High beam control
  • Hill hold control
  • Hill descent control
  • Remote engine start
  • Keyless entry 
  • Pushbutton start
  • Hands-free liftgate
  • Discover Media eight-inch color touchscreen navigation system
  • AM/FM/HD Radio with USB inputs, voice control and SiriusXM Satellite Radio (limited trial subscription)
  • Eight-speaker sound system
  • Bluetooth
  • VW App-Connect
  • Wireless charging
Instrument panel in 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

Instrument cluster in 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

Infotainment and HVAC in 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

There were only a couple of extra-cost options on our tester, $395 for the Pure Gray paint and $235 for Monster Mat floor mats and a heavy-duty trunk liner with VW's CarGo Blocks.

Front view of 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport 2.0T SEL

Rear view of 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

So, with $1,020 destination charge, the bottom line on the window sticker reads $43,095.

That's a reasonable price for a well-equipped five-seat crossover with all-wheel drive and more than a dash of style.   Again, we'd pad the price a bit by opting for the V6 and getting more power for roughly the same gas mileage, but apart from that, the 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport is a very solid choice.