2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport SEL Premium R-Line: Take a look at Drive | The Each day Drive
2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport SEL Premium R-Line
Class: Midsize Crossover
Colour: Silver Mist Metallic
Seating Capability: 5
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Consolation | A |
| Energy and Efficiency | B+ |
| Match and End | A |
| Gas Economic system | A- |
| Worth | B+ |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus different autos in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim stage evaluated, and should not replicate Shopper Information’s impressions of all the mannequin lineup. | |
| Large & Tall Consolation | |
| Large Man | A |
| Tall Man | A |
| Large & Tall consolation scores are for entrance seats solely. “Large” score primarily based on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” score primarily based on 6’6″-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 269-horsepower 2.0-liter |
| Engine Kind | Turbocharged 4 |
| Transmission | 8-speed computerized |
| Drive Wheels | AWD |
Miles pushed: 201
Noticed gas financial system: 25.8 mpg
Driving combine: 60% metropolis, 40% freeway
EPA-estimated gas financial system: 19/26/22 (mpg metropolis/freeway/mixed)
Snow Efficiency: N/A
Base worth: $51,445 (not together with $1350 vacation spot cost)
Choices on check automobile: N/A
Value as examined: $52,795
Fast Hits
The nice: Spacious and premium-feeling cabin, wonderful street manners
The nice: Simple on the gasoline, loads of energy
The not so good: Sluggish and glitchy digital interface, an excessive amount of engine noise
Tom Appel:
It might really feel a bit unusual to ponder the present Volkswagen U.S. lineup. American VW Showrooms at the moment are comprised of 5 crossovers, and simply three vehicles. Now, these three vehicles, the Golf, Jetta, and Arteon, are cut up by WV into various fashions, however they not account for a lot by way of gross sales quantity. And—unhappy information—the likable midsize Arteon is being killed off after the 2024 mannequin 12 months.
The fact is, if a carmaker goes to promote autos within the U.S., it wants a strong crossover lineup, and Volkswagen has performed an honest job overlaying all of the bases. The VW “truck” lineup begins with the small Taos, and contains the compact Tiguan, and the largish midsize Atlas. All are provided with AWD, and all are arguably styled within the European idiom. Additionally out there is the compact ID.4 electrical crossover, and the topic of at this time’s missive, the “tweener” Atlas Cross Sport.
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Excluding the ID.4, the Cross Sport is one thing of an odd duck categorically, slotting beneath the 3-row Atlas and above the compact Tiguan within the lineup. That mentioned, there’s nothing odd concerning the Sport’s enchantment. In comparison with the usual Atlas, the 2-row Cross Sport is about 5 inches shorter in general size, and weighs about 150 kilos much less. It’s additionally priced about $1000 decrease, as properly.
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Because of this, if you happen to don’t want the third seating row, you possibly can get pleasure from all the Atlas facilities in a barely tidier bundle that’s simpler to park, a bit faster, a bit extra gas environment friendly, prices much less, and is arguably higher wanting. What’s to not love? And, as an additional advantage, VW doesn’t seek advice from the Cross Sport as a “coupe,” a time period frustratingly utilized by some manufacturers to explain shorter, fastback model of their normal crossovers.
For 2024 Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport underwent minor beauty surgical procedure, all for the higher we’d argue, and had the two-drivetrain invoice of fare trimmed to a single providing. Essentially the most vital replace, nonetheless, comes inside. The cabin has been retrimmed as a part of a luxury-themed makeover, and the brand new Atlases comes off as legitimately premium, particularly for the worth.
The ’24 Cross Sport lineup begins with the entry-level SE (about $38,000), and ascends by way of SE with Expertise ($42,000), SEL ($50,000), SEL R-Line ($51,000), and SEL Premium R-Line ($53,000). R-Line fashions embrace sporty design thrives and distinctive front-end and grille remedies.
Probably to the chagrin of some returning Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport buyers, the super-smooth 3.6-liter V6 has been retired for 2024, changed in all fashions by an up-power 2.0-turbocharged 4-cylinder powerplant, the “EVO4.”
Volkswagen code EA888, the brand new 4-cylinder engine produces a reported 269 horsepower, that’s considerably greater than the earlier era 4 (235), and simply shy of the retired V6 (276). And, per VW, the brand new 4 cranks out extra torque than both of the outdated engines. Each Atlases come solely with an 8-speed computerized transmission.
Shopper Information just lately spent per week with a Cross Sport in topline SEL Premium R-Line trim, in Silver Mist Metallic with Titan Black leather-based cabin trim. All advised, together with vacation spot, our check automobile got here to $52,795.
Sadly, as a lot as we admire the Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport, each endure from a pair of points we’d wish to cowl up entrance: The infotainment interface, and the powertrain.
First Spin: 2024 Volkswagen Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport
First, the infotainment system is among the many worst within the trade. The touchscreen is sluggish to reply to inputs, the menu system is complicated and illogically organized, and the data displayed concerning content material being accessed vis Bluetooth is normally incorrect and from a tune or podcast beforehand performed. It’s confounding how dangerous this method is. That mentioned, routing telephone calls by way of the system works simply tremendous, which is a bit of excellent information. And, regardless of the horrible interface, the Harman Kardon sound system is great, particularly when tasked with reproducing the mid-century American jazz favored by this creator.
As for the drivetrain, although it delivers loads of helpful energy, the small 4-cylinder engines sounds as if its straining to maintain up with driver calls for. This frequent transmission shifts and the comparatively loud engine mix for what’s perceived by Shopper Information editors to be “sporty,” or “unrefined.” As for this creator, the engine noise and responsive transmission felt athletic, and added to the Cross Sport’s usually nimble character. You’ll be able to learn extra about our tackle the Atlas/Atlas Cross Sport infotainment system and drivetrain right here.
Shifting past these points, the Atlas Cross Sport shines as an expensive, sporty crossover with loads of folks area and a refined dynamic character. The cabin is roomy and properly appointed, and getting into an exiting both seating row is straightforward due to giant door openings and a simple step-in.
And, say what you need about engine refinement, the brand new Atlas powertrain is straightforward on the gasoline. Over 200 miles of largely metropolis driving we averaged 25.8 mpg, wonderful given the scale of the automobile and the out there energy.
Finally, the Atlas Cross Sport, even in top-trim SEL Premium R-Line guise, is a blended bag. It seems and seems like a luxurious automobile, however the digital interface is frustratingly cranky, and the engine might sound and really feel crude to some crossover buyers. If the Atlas Cross Sport is in your test-drive brief listing, be certain and spend a wholesome period of time with the automobile earlier than committing to a purchase order. In case you can stay with the Sport’s faults, there’s quite a bit right here to like.
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2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport SEL Premium R-Line Gallery
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