2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport vs 2022 Nissan Rogue

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 riding on VW’s MQB platform. Standard LED exterior lighting and various wheel sizes, depending on the trim, added to its visual appeal. However, the interior, despite its minimalist design, was let down by subpar materials and a mix of dark colors that didn’t provide a welcoming feel.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue, redesigned in 2021, continued to sport a more mature look. It featured Nissan’s V-motion grille, multi-level LED headlights, and a floating roof design. The interior followed a layered dash design with contrasting colors and surfaces, giving it a sophisticated look. The center console was a highlight, featuring an electronic gear selector lever, ample storage space, and a 9-inch center infotainment display. The Rogue’s Zero Gravity front seats and roomy second row added to its comfort, while the fit and finish, especially in the Platinum model, were exemplary.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered two powertrain options: a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine producing 235 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, and a 3.6-liter VR6 engine with 276 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The VR6 engine provided a livelier acceleration but lacked midrange power, and the transmission was slow to react. The ride quality was poor, with noticeable bumps and potholes, and the cabin let in significant wind and tire noise. The Cross Sport had a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds with the VR6 engine and 2,000 pounds with the four-cylinder engine. AWD versions featured multiple drive modes and 8 inches of ground clearance, but the vehicle didn’t feel sporty and handled like a truck.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue featured a new 1.5-liter VC-Turbo engine with 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque, an improvement over the previous model’s engine. The VC-Turbo technology allowed for variable compression, enhancing both power and fuel efficiency. The Rogue achieved impressive fuel economy figures of 30 mpg city/37 mpg highway/33 mpg combined. The new CVT transmission provided better acceleration and responsiveness. The Rogue’s chassis and suspension delivered a smooth, controlled ride with minimal body roll, and the electric power-assisted steering had good feel.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered competitive interior space for a two-row midsize crossover. It had ample front-seat and rear-seat legroom, but rear headroom was limited due to the sloping roofline. Cargo space was 40.3 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 77.8 cubic feet with the seats folded. The second-row seats had a 60/40 split-fold and 14-degree backrest recline. The vehicle featured various storage options, including a large center console and a cubbyhole ahead of the shifter.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue provided numerous storage options in the front cabin, including bottle holders, cupholders, a glove compartment, a center console bin, and more. Rear-seat passengers had storage options in the doors, seatbacks, and center armrest, along with USB-A and USB-C charge-only ports. The second-row seat was a 60/40 split reclining bench. The Rogue offered 31.6-36.5 cubic feet of cargo space, depending on the configuration, and 74.1 cubic feet with the second row folded flat.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport came with two infotainment systems: the MIB2 system with a 6.5-inch touchscreen for the base trim and the MIB3 system with an 8-inch touchscreen for 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. However, the MIB3 system was slow to load, and the voice recognition required specific prompts.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue featured significant technology upgrades, including a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 9-inch center infotainment touchscreen, and a 10.8-inch head-up display on upper trims. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with wireless Apple CarPlay available on higher trims. ProPilot Assist, a hands-on driver-assist technology, was available and integrated with the navigation system for predictive speed control. The Intelligent Key allowed for easy access to the rear doors by tapping the button on the rear door handle.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport earned top “Good” scores in all IIHS crash tests but had 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. The Cross Sport also had unique features like 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 Nissan Rogue featured the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite of safety technologies across all trim levels. Standard features included automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, high beam assist, and rear automatic braking. ProPilot Assist, available on higher trims, combined steering-assist and adaptive cruise control for advanced driver assistance. The Rogue received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS for the 2021 model.