2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport vs 2021 Honda Pilot

Volkswagen offered the 2020 Atlas Cross Sport in a variety of trims, including S, SE, SEL, and SEL Premium, with optional Technology and R-Line packages. The SUV's styling was a major selling point, featuring a coupe-like design with a steeply angled rear liftgate. It was 5.2 inches shorter and 2.2 inches lower than the larger Atlas, making it a stylish alternative for those who didn't need extra cargo space or a third-row seat. The SEL Premium trim with the R-Line package looked particularly striking, boasting 21-inch machined-finish wheels and optional Pure Gray paint, giving it a custom appearance.

Inside, the Atlas Cross Sport's interior initially impressed with its Burgundy and Titan Black two-tone color scheme. However, closer inspection revealed hard plastics that were consistent with its base price. Despite this, the design and materials in high-contact areas were well-executed, and the available ambient lighting added a touch of sophistication. The interior was spacious and comfortable, with heated and ventilated leather seats and a heated steering wheel.

Honda aimed to balance styling with reliability, safety, comfort, and performance in the 2021 Pilot. The SUV received a rugged appearance update in 2019 and a blacked-out Black Edition in 2020. Despite these efforts, the exterior design remained polarizing. The 2021 Pilot was available in seven trims: LX, EX, EX-L, Special Edition, Touring, Elite, and Black Edition, with prices ranging from $32,250 to $49,920. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available for an additional $2,000, except on the Elite and Black Edition trims, where it was standard.

The new Special Edition trim for 2021 added black 20-inch alloy wheels, blacked-out exterior trim, wireless smartphone charging, and a hands-free power tailgate. The Black Edition, which we tested, came fully loaded with a $395 Platinum White Pearl paint job, bringing the total to $51,435. It featured exclusive black leather upholstery with red-tinted and perforated seat inserts, red contrast stitching, and red ambient lighting. However, the black floor mats were a magnet for pet hair, making them difficult to clean. The interior quality was high, with a flat dashboard, thin windshield pillars, and a low center console, giving it a minivan-like feel from the front seat.

The 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport came standard with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo engine, producing 235 horsepower at 4,500 rpm and 258 pound-feet of torque at 1,600 rpm on premium gas. This engine, related to the one in the Golf GTI, struggled with the Atlas Cross Sport's 4,103-pound curb weight. The optional 3.6-liter V6 engine, generating 276 hp at 6,200 rpm and 266 lb-ft at 2,750 rpm, was a better choice, offering a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. Both engines used an 8-speed automatic transmission with a sport mode, and front-wheel drive was standard, with the option to upgrade to the 4Motion all-wheel-drive system.

The V6 engine provided adequate power and refinement, though some might have preferred a de-tuned version of Volkswagen Group's mild-hybrid turbocharged 3.0-liter V6. The 8-speed automatic transmission performed well, except for delayed downshifts in normal mode, which could be resolved by switching to sport mode. The 4Motion AWD system allowed some front-wheel slip before engaging the rear wheels, and Active Control offered various traction settings, including On-road, Snow, Off-road, and Custom Off-road. The Atlas Cross Sport had 8 inches of ground clearance and performed well on pavement, though it was thirsty, averaging 18.7 mpg in combined driving.

The 2021 Honda Pilot featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine with 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, providing smooth and refined power delivery. A nine-speed automatic transmission powered the front wheels, with an available torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system that could send up to 70 percent of engine output to a single rear wheel. The Pilot also included Hill Start Assist and Intelligent Traction Management driving modes, such as Normal, Snow, Mud, and Sand.

Fuel-saving measures like variable-cylinder management and automatic engine stop/start helped the AWD Pilot achieve an EPA rating of 22 mpg in combined driving, with the test vehicle averaging 21.5 mpg. The MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension provided a comfortable ride and unexpectedly athletic handling, aided by the torque-vectoring AWD system and the Black Edition's 20-inch wheels. The steering was well-weighted and responsive, and the brakes were properly calibrated, though they could heat up and vibrate with prolonged use. Off-road capability was limited by the Pilot's 7.3 inches of ground clearance and all-season tires, but it could handle minor off-road situations.

The 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, though smaller than the Atlas, offered a spacious interior. The test vehicle featured large heated and ventilated leather seats with numerous power adjustments for both the driver and front passenger, providing comfort for long drives. The second row was equally comfortable, accommodating three kids or smaller adults, with ample legroom and headroom for two grown-ups. Rear air-conditioning vents and heated seat cushions were also included.

The dual-zone automatic climate control system struggled to keep the cabin cool on sunny days, especially when the engine's automatic stop/start system engaged at traffic lights. However, the problem disappeared outside urban areas. Storage space was plentiful, with a large center console, door panel bins, and a glove box. The rakish roofline limited cargo space, but the Atlas Cross Sport still offered 40.3 cubic feet behind the back seat and 77.8 cubic feet with it folded down.

The 2021 Honda Pilot provided ample room for a family, seating up to eight people with a second-row bench seat. The test vehicle's leather-wrapped, heated, and ventilated front seats were comfortable and supportive, with 10-way power adjustment for the driver and four-way adjustment for the front passenger. Second-row captain's chairs with inboard armrests were optional on the Touring trim and standard on Elite and Black Edition models, where they were also heated. These chairs were nearly as comfortable as the front seats and could slide forward for easier third-row access.

The third-row seat was less comfortable for adults due to its low and flat bottom cushion. Storage was abundant, with compartments in the door panels, center console, and front seatback pockets. The EX-L trim and higher included a power tailgate, with hands-free operation available on higher trims. The Pilot offered 16.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 46.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 83.9 cubic feet with both rear rows folded.

The 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered three infotainment systems, with the top-trim test vehicle featuring the best technology. It included an 8-inch capacitive touchscreen display, large virtual menu buttons, and two stereo knobs, creating a clean and simple aesthetic. The audio system supported two Bluetooth device pairings simultaneously and included robust Car-Net connected services, such as WiFi, remote engine starting, and safe teen driving features. The 12-speaker Fender premium sound system delivered excellent audio quality.

However, the Cross Sport lacked a natural voice recognition system, failing to respond to standard prompts like "find the closest hospital." Users needed to rely on Apple CarPlay or Android Auto for voice commands.

Most 2021 Honda Pilots included an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, text-messaging support, satellite radio, and a basic version of HondaLink connected services. The Special Edition added wireless phone charging, while the Touring trim included navigation, a WiFi hotspot, a 10-speaker premium audio system, and more. The infotainment system was adequate but had a small screen and lacked a tuning knob. The voice-recognition technology required specific prompts, and HondaLink services were limited to higher trims.

The Touring trim also added a rear-seat entertainment system, a 115-volt power outlet, an HDMI port, and a Cabin Talk feature, allowing the driver to speak to rear-seat passengers through the stereo speakers or headphones. The rear-seat entertainment system played DVDs, Blu-Ray discs, and streaming audio apps, though kids might prefer using the WiFi with their devices.

The 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport came with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including standard advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) and an automatic post-collision braking system. The SEL Premium R-Line test vehicle had additional features like road-sign recognition and Traffic Jam Assist, which provided semi-autonomous steering, braking, and acceleration assistance at low speeds. The Lane Assist system prevented lane changes when another vehicle was in the blind spot, and the rear cross-traffic alert system included automatic emergency braking. Crash-test results for the Atlas Cross Sport were not available, but the larger Atlas performed well in safety tests.

Every 2021 Honda Pilot included Honda Sensing, a package of ADAS features such as adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Starting with the EX trim, the Pilot also had blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning. The older version of Honda Sensing was functional but not as smooth or refined as newer systems. The lane-departure warning system's steering wheel wobble was also less subtle than desired.

The Pilot received favorable crash-test ratings, with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) giving it a five-star overall rating, despite four-star marks for front-passenger protection in a frontal impact. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded the Pilot its highest "good" ratings, except for an "acceptable" score for front passenger small overlap frontal-impact protection. The standard headlights earned an "acceptable" rating, while higher trims received a "good" rating.