Used 2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

Not every SUV buyer needs seating for seven. And not everyone wants to spend $72K on a stylish and sleek Audi Q8.

But the SUV world is adept at creating niches like this one. The VW Atlas Cross Sport seats five and follows the formula of luxury SUVs that take an edgier (though less practical) angle to the roofline.

The result is a mainstream midsize SUV with one of the ultimate luxuries — space. The Atlas Cross Sport is roomy and comfortable, yet with the kind of panache that its 7-seater VW Atlas relative cannot attain.

Unless a new Atlas Cross Sport SUV is only going to be used for local errands and the occasional longer drive that doesn’t involve steep inclines with a full complement of passengers and cargo, then buyers may want to forego the turbo 4-cylinder engine and choose the gutsier V6.

Actually, just go for the V6 anyway and avoid any potential disappointment. Even then, it would have been better if it had a greater difference in output compared with the 4-cylinder. As it is, the V6 makes 276 horsepower, just another 41 ponies.

Like most VW models, the Atlas Cross Sport definitely has the moves to complement any extra muscle. The suspension is nimble and responsive — without sacrificing comfort.

That classy sparseness German vehicles seem to do so well is evident in the 2023 Atlas Cross Sport SUV. But the typically Teutonic high-quality cabin materials are missing, certainly in the lower trims.

That’s despite the base SE model coming with simulated leather seating surfaces, heated front seats, and a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat.

The meager size of the infotainment touchscreen in the SE is also a disappointing 6.5 inches. The rest of the range’s 8-inch touchscreen is still kind of small, although no worse than the Honda Passport’s.

Occupant space is plentiful, however. Boxier rivals have more rear headroom, if that matters. But anyone looking at buying a new Atlas Cross Sport SUV probably doesn’t consider that a priority.

Rear legroom is 40.4 inches — better than the Honda Passport. The rear seats recline up to 40 degrees and split in a 60/40 manner. Behind them is a luggage area of 40.3 cubic feet. Maximum cargo volume with the rear seats folded is a massive 77.8 cubic feet. That should be more than enough for most buyers’ requirements.

Freed from the obligations of having to provide space for seven occupants (like its bigger Atlas SUV stablemate), the 2023 Atlas Cross Sport can indulge in a little stylistic license and swoop that roof down with a touch of drama. Take away the immediately recognizable VW badges and this midsize SUV might even be mistaken for an Audi.

It also sits a littler lower on its suspension than the Atlas, emphasizing a certain sportiness. All versions have LED exterior lighting. The SEL R-Line Black sports various exterior elements finished in — no prizes for guessing — black. And the top SEL Premium R-Line has the largest alloy wheel size available on the lineup: 21 inches.

1. Digital Cockpit
The only change for the 2023 Atlas Cross Sport SUV is that the SE w/Technology trim gains the larger and more configurable 10.25-inch digital driver information display that can show things like navigation or phone info as well as the usual stuff. The base SE retains the 8-inch digital display that still offers two views.

2. Car-Net
This smartphone app allows owners to interact with their VW Atlas Cross Sport and use functions like remote lock/unlock, last parked location, and fuel level. It’s also compatible with Amazon Alexa.

3. Easy Open liftgate
Hands-free liftgate operation comes as standard in the SE w/Technology trim and up. It’s activated by a sensor under the rear bumper that detects a probing foot.

4. All-wheel drive
On Planet Volkswagen, all-wheel drive (AWD) is known as 4Motion. It’s available with either engine in the 2023 VW Atlas Cross Sport lineup, adding Snow and Offroad driving modes to the usual Normal, Sport, and Comfort settings.

5. IQ.Drive
This set of driver aids becomes standard at the SEL level. It includes things like steering assistance for blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control systems, plus lane-keeping assistance and automatic high beams.

6. Park Assist
This is almost a self-parking system. It sizes up parallel or perpendicular parking spaces and steers the Atlas Cross Sport into them. The driver just has to operate the throttle, brakes, and forward/reverse gears. It is standard in the top SEL Premium R-Line trim.

Propulsion for the 2023 Atlas Cross Sport SE and a couple of higher trims is supplied by a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine making 235 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is the standard setup with the SE and SE w/Technology models; all-wheel drive (AWD) is available as an option. SEL versions with either engine are exclusively AWD.

Yes, there’s a choice — from the SE w/Technology level and up, at least. It’s a naturally-aspirated (no turbos or superchargers) 3.6-liter V6 developing 276 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque.

In all cases, the transmission is an 8-speed automatic. Maximum towing capacity with the V6 is 5,000 pounds. The 4-cylinder engine can pull 2,000 pounds.

Because it has a turbocharger, the 2.0-liter unit requires premium gasoline. The V6 works with regular.

2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine
235 horsepower @ 5,400 rpm
258 lb-ft of torque @ 1,600 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 21/25 mpg (FWD), 20/24 mpg (AWD)

3.6-liter V6 engine
276 horsepower @ 6,200
266 lb-ft of torque @ 3,600 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/24 mpg (FWD & AWD)

4/50 Warranty

Volkswagen’s warranties for the powertrain and overall new-vehicle coverage are for four years or 50,000 miles, whichever happens first. That’s better than the 3-year/36,000-mile coverage more common among mainstream brands. Free scheduled maintenance of two years or 20,000 miles is also included with every new VW Atlas Cross Sport.