Starts at $37,190
Rank
Pros
Cons
What's New for 2025?
Largely unchanged, the two-row 2025 Atlas Cross Sport does add standard wireless charging across the lineup, while a new SEL R-Line Black trim rolls on 20-inch black wheels and features various other black styling accents.
FAST FACTS
"The Atlas Cross Sport takes the luxury-class concept of the 'SUV coupe' mainstream, with mixed results. We'd be far more enthusiastic if there were more oomph, but alas, the Cross Sport only offers the same 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder that comes in the regular Atlas. Although we love this engine in the GTI, the magic is mostly gone when you add 1,300 pounds. Underwhelming acceleration aside, the Cross Sport is a respectably refined machine with a surprisingly generous cargo hold given its fashion-first fastback rear roofline. Just make sure you sample the touch-based climate controls before you buy, as they can be annoying to operate while driving."—Ranked #5 out of 9 Midsize SUVs
MotorDonkey's proprietary vehicle data identifies every significant version of each model so that you can compare and decide. Ordered by price from low to high, here are the versions of the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport that you need to be aware of, along with our expert analysis and recommendations.
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The Atlas Cross Sport takes after its big brother, the Atlas, in being, well, big. The rival Honda Passport is 6.5 inches shorter, and it's not small. Anyway, you probably know the drill with these "SUV coupe" contraptions: Less cargo capacity and usually less seating capacity. Indeed, the Atlas Cross Sport has only two seating rows, although its max cargo capacity remains remarkably high given the sloping rear roofline. The "coupes" are usually more expensive, too, but the Atlas Cross Sport breaks with tradition there, slightly undercutting the three-row Atlas on starting MSRP. Like the regular Atlas, the Cross Sport technically doesn't give you the full 5,000 pounds of max towing capacity in the base SE trim, which maxes out at 2,000 lbs. Every trim from the SE w/Technology on up comes standard with a trailer hitch and is rated for the full amount.
Volkswagen's 4Motion all-wheel drive doesn't add too much weight to the Atlas Cross Sport, but the EPA combined mpg rating drops a couple of ticks from the front-drive version, doubling the 1-mpg gap from last year. The cost difference is minor, so we'd say AWD is still close to a no-brainer here. It should help you with resale value, too.
Publisher and Donkey-in-Chief
Josh has been reviewing cars professionally since joining Edmunds.com fresh out of grad school in 2008, personally driving most new cars on the market every year since. He also served as the project manager for Edmunds' expert vehicle rankings from their inception in 2018, building the product out from the back end to the front end. Josh is a card-carrying member of the Motor Press Guild and a lifelong car nut who has tested, compared and critiqued a ridiculous number of cars in his career.
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