2027 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

Car and Driver · 2026-08-10 16:30

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Overview

Sporty style has always been the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport's raison d'etre. Based on the Atlas SUV, it forgoes the third row to facilitate a dashing profile courtesy of its lower roofline and steeply raked rear roof pillars and hatch. Redesigned for 2027 along with its Atlas sibling, the Cross Sport's shorter overall length and rear overhang work to reinforce the athletic agenda. is

Performance sees a boost, too; its turbocharged 2.0-liter is now good for 282 horsepower; an eight-speed automatic transmission and either front- or all-wheel drive put the power to the pavement. Though it prioritizes style over maximum utility, there's still plenty of room inside for five passengers and their stuff—they just arrive at their destination with a bit more panache.

Expert Tip: Psssst: Volkswagen let it slip that a hybrid version of the Atlas Cross Sport is scheduled to arrive with its mid-cycle refresh. So, if your current wheels have a few more years left in them and you've been looking for a stylish two-row hybrid, mark your calendar and sit tight.

What's New for 2027?

Nearly everything. The 2027 Cross Sport benefits from a more powerful engine, revised styling inside and out, and updated tech to remain competitive against a rising tide of entries in the two-row SUV segment. Three new colors—Dark Sage Metallic, Blackberry Metallic, and Sandstone—join the palette.

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Pricing and Which One to Buy

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

- Engines: 282-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder

- Transmission: 8-speed automatic

- Drivetrain: front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive

The new 2027 Atlas Cross Sport utilizes a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine rated for 282 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Compared to the outgoing model, power is up by 13 ponies while torque is down 15 pound-feet. We haven't had the chance to test drive the new Atlas Cross Sport yet, but when we do, we will update this story with driving impressions and instrumented test results. Also, hold tight for details on the Cross Sport Hybrid, which VW says will arrive partway through the model's life.

Towing and Payload Capacity

- Max Towing: 5000 pounds

Just like its three-row sibling, the Atlas Cross Sport can tow up to 5000 pounds. An optional trailer hitch can be ordered from the factory or installed by a Volkswagen dealer.

In Comparison: The Toyota Crown Signia can tow only 2700 pounds, while the more rugged Toyota 4Runner Hybrid is rated for up to 6000 pounds.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

First Row: Both Atlas versions have always offered spacious front seating, and that continues with the 2027 model. A 12-way adjustable driver's seat with four-way lumbar adjustment is standard on all Cross Sport models. Upper trims offer massaging for both front passengers and adjustable thigh support for the driver. A new dial mounted in the center console controls volume, drive modes, and the ability to sync ambient lighting and soundscapes to your preference.

Second Row: We expect the 2027 Atlas Cross Sport to offer the same spacious second row bench with a 60/40 folding seatback as the previous model. We'll update this section as soon as full details are available.

Cargo Capacity: The Cross Sport's cargo bay capacity has always trailed that of the three-row Atlas, but we don't have official numbers yet. That said, we expect it to fall within a few percent of the previous model's 40 cubic foot space with the rear seat up and 78 cubes with it folded down. New for 2027 is a standard powered liftgate with dual lamps for loading at night.

Infotainment and Connectivity

- Infotainment: 12.9-inch touchscreen (standard), 15.0-inch touchscreen (optional)

- Connectivity: Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

- Audio System: 9-speaker stereo (standard), 14-speaker Harmon Kardon stereo (optional)

Every Atlas Cross Sport is equipped with a configurable 10.3-inch digital gauge cluster display. A 12.9-inch infotainment display is standard, but a 15.0-inch is available. Additional standard devices include simultaneous wireless charging for two phones and five USB-C ports placed about the cabin. New for 2027, a premium subscription service bundles together a Wi-Fi hotspot that can support up to four devices, premium navigation, premium radio with 30,00 stations and over 1 million podcasts, software that allows the use of the infotainment screen as a gaming console when parked, and more.

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.

- Standard Safety Features: automated emergency braking with forward-collision warning, lane-centering and blind-spot monitoring

- Optional Safety Features: adaptive cruise control

For information about the Atlas Cross Sport's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites.

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, however, 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: four years or 50,000 miles

- Powertrain Warranty: four years or 50,000 miles

- Complimentary Maintenance: two years or 20,000 miles

As more information becomes available, we'll update this story with more details about:

- 0–60-MPH Times

- Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

- C/D Test Results and Specs

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