2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport vs 2022 Buick Enclave

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport carried over much of the same design as the regular Atlas but featured a lower roofline and an aggressively-raked rear hatch. This gave it a unique blend of SUV ruggedness and car-like features, though some elements, like the fake exhaust tips on the rear bumper, appeared tacky. The Cross Sport was shorter and lower than the seven-seat Atlas, sharing the same wheelbase and platform. It came with standard LED exterior lighting and various wheel sizes depending on the trim level. The interior had a minimalist design but was let down by subpar materials, with hard and shiny plastics that felt cheap. The color scheme was also uninviting, and the flat-bottom steering wheel seemed out of place for a non-performance model.

The 2022 Buick Enclave, on the other hand, had a more conservative and functional design, reflecting its customer base's preference for comfort and tradition. Over the years, Buick transitioned from a sedan-heavy lineup to an all-SUV portfolio, aligning with market trends. The Enclave, a three-row crossover, received a mid-cycle refresh for 2022, featuring new exterior styling elements and upgraded interior materials. The Avenir trim level offered unique design touches and additional comfort features like climate-controlled front seats and heated second-row captain's chairs. The interior was spacious and comfortable, with a restyled center console and push-button gears, although the placement of the cupholders raised concerns about potential spills affecting the electronic shifter components.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered two powertrain options: a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine producing 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.6-liter V6 engine with 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The VR6 engine provided a lively acceleration experience but lacked midrange power, and the transmission was slow to react. The ride quality was poor, with noticeable bumps and potholes, and the cabin was noisy. The Cross Sport had a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds with the VR6 engine and AWD, and 2,000 pounds with the four-cylinder engine. AWD models featured multiple drive modes and 8 inches of ground clearance, but the vehicle's off-road capabilities were limited compared to competitors like the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

The 2022 Buick Enclave came with a single powertrain option: a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Enclave offered a smooth and quiet ride, thanks to its premium ride suspension and continuously variable real-time chassis damping. The AWD-equipped test vehicle handled well on various terrains, and the powertrain was responsive despite the vehicle's size. The Enclave had a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. The engine provided good off-the-line acceleration, and the nine-speed transmission performed seamlessly. The Enclave's cabin was quiet, with active noise cancellation technology enhancing the overall driving experience.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered competitive interior space for a two-row midsize crossover, with ample front-seat and rear-seat legroom. However, the rear headroom was limited due to the sloping roofline. Cargo space was above average, with 40.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 77.8 cubic feet with the seats folded. The second-row seats had a 60/40 split-fold and a 14-degree backrest recline. The vehicle featured various storage options, including a large center console and a second-row armrest with integrated cupholders. SE with Technology trim levels added a foot-activated tailgate for convenience.

The 2022 Buick Enclave provided easy ingress and egress, with excellent visibility and comfortable seating. The cabin was spacious, accommodating six full-size adults comfortably in all three rows. The second-row captain's chairs made accessing the third row easy, and the seats could flip and fold for added versatility. The restyled center console featured push-button transmission gears and a covered compartment for cupholders. The Enclave offered ample cargo space, with 23.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 97.4 cubic feet with both rows folded. Power-folding third-row seats were available for added convenience.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport featured two infotainment systems: the MIB2 system with a 6.5-inch touchscreen on the base trim and the MIB3 system with an 8-inch touchscreen on higher trims. Both systems included USB-C ports, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto connectivity. The MIB3 system added multiple-device pairing and updated voice recognition. Higher trims featured the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrument cluster and a 12-speaker Fender premium audio system. The Digital Cockpit display allowed for customizable gauge configurations, while the touchscreen was largely unnecessary for basic functions due to well-designed analog controls.

The 2022 Buick Enclave came with a standard 4.2-inch driver information center, with an 8-inch reconfigurable version on higher trims. The Essence trim featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as wireless phone charging. Premium and Avenir trims added navigation. The system could pair up to 10 devices, with two smartphones active simultaneously, and included a built-in WiFi hotspot. The Premium and Avenir trims featured a 10-speaker Bose audio system, although it lacked power for back-seat passengers. The Enclave also included a three-month trial subscription to SiriusXM 360L and six USB ports throughout the cabin. Notable available features included adaptive cruise control, a head-up display, and HD surround vision.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport earned top "Good" scores in all IIHS crash tests, with mixed headlight ratings. The NHTSA gave it a five-star overall rating. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and traffic-sign recognition. Unique to the Cross Sport were the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System and Intelligent Crash Response System. New for 2021 were Travel Assist and Emergency Assist, available on higher trims.

The 2022 Buick Enclave made significant updates to its safety tech, with the Buick Driver Confidence Plus package now standard on all trims. This included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-change alert, rear cross-traffic warning, lane-keeping assistance, and more. Additional features on higher trims included enhanced automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and a surround-view camera. The NHTSA had not published crash-test ratings for the 2022 Enclave, but it received a four-star rating for rollover resistance. The IIHS gave it "Good" ratings in all but one crash test, where it received an "Acceptable" score.