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Gulf & Main Magazine

Volkswagen's Atlas Cross Sport

Apr 02, 2020 02:21PM ● By Patricia Letakis

Volkswagen’s newest SUV meets you in the middle. Since the first SUVs hit Main Street America, this segment of the automobile industry has continued to evolve with assembly lines turning out everything from cozy and compact to spacious and supersize. Somewhere in between is Volkswagen’s newest model: the 2020 Atlas Cross Sport Midsize SUV.

Building off the success of their Atlas seven-passenger midsize SUV, Volkswagen has designed a five-seater that boasts a dramatic, coupe-like design as well as advance connectivity and drive-assistance systems. Although built on the basics of the Atlas, the stylish Cross Sport is 1.8 inches shorter than the current Atlas and is 2.3 inches lower. It is 78.3 inches wide and rides on the same 117.3-inch wheelbase, which is the reason for the vehicle’s generous interior space. Its rear-seat legroom measures an impressive 40.4 inches.

 The midsize SUV has a racier profile than the Atlas and a subtly sculpted hood, accented by a polished three-bar chrome grille and stylishly designed new front bumper. Chrome accents on the lower body sides, rear bumper and windows along with front and rear LED lights in a sleek design add fresh appeal to the vehicle.

 The Cross Sport is available with two powertrains: a 276-horsepower V6 and a 235-hp four-cylinder turbocharged and direct injection TSI engine. The V6 when properly equipped can tow up to 5,000 pounds.

            Inside, the Cross Sport boasts upgrades over the existing Atlas that include a new steering wheel with more intuitive controls and high-tech features such as wireless mobile charging. Volkswagen Car-Net suite of connected features is upgraded for MY20, with an updated mobile app, a long list of no-charge services for five years and new subscription options.

For example, Car-Net Remote Access gives owners the ability to interact with their vehicle from miles away via the mobile app. Features include remote start and stop (if equipped), remote door lock and unlock, remote honk and flash of lights, last-parked location, and remote vehicle status display that provides information on fuel level, mileage and door and window status. Car-Net Hotspot allows passengers to access the internet with up to four connected devices simultaneously, including tablets, smartphones, laptops, gaming devices and more—all at 4G LTE-enabled speed.

 Advanced driver-assistance features in the Atlas Cross Sport’s base S model include standard forward collision warning with autonomous braking, blind spot monitoring, and rear traffic alert.

Among the available luxury features are heated rear seats and steering wheel, ventilated front seats, rear sunshades and the Fender Premium Audio system with 12 speakers.

You can see the new Atlas Cross Sport on the showroom floor at Volkswagen of Fort Myers in early 2020.