2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

Performance

The 2025 Atlas has a 2.0-liter Turbocharged 4-cylinder engine called the Evo4 that produces 269 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque with 87 octane fuel. This is an increase of 34 horsepower and 15 lb-ft of torque over the previous 4-cylinder engine that powered the 2023 and previous Atlas models. Nevertheless, this is similar to power and torque, with a broader performance from 1600 to 4500 rpm than the previous V6. The Evo4 is combined with an 8-speed automatic transmission.  

Utilizing Start/Stop technology helps the Atlas Cross Sport achieve better fuel economy by shutting down the engine when it is stopped to prevent needlessly wasting fuel. Releasing the brake pedal automatically disengages Start/Stop with immediacy.  

While the SE models can tow up to 2,000 lbs, the SE with Technology and all trim levels above come with a standard trailer hitch and can tow 5,000 lbs with a trailer equipped with a braking system.  

The 4Motion® all-wheel drive system has been upgraded to feature Active Control, which automatically activates before wheelspin occurs during various driving conditions.  

Drive Mode Select is standard on all Atlas Cross Sport trim levels, allowing the driver to switch between Eco, Comfort, Sport, Custom, and Snow. Both Front- and All-wheel drive models, with 4Motion® optioned, add an Off Road mode.  

EPA fuel mileage estimates are 20 mpg city and 27 mpg highway. 4Motion® SE and SE with Technology trim levels will achieve up to 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway. SEL and SEL Premium R-Line trims can get 19 mpg city and 25 highway. 

Exterior

The 2025 Atlas Cross Sport is the second largest vehicle in the Volkswagen lineup behind the 7-seater Atlas. It is 195.6 inches long (195.5 inches for 4Motion® models), 78.3 inches wide, and 68.1 inches tall (67.8 for 4Motion® equipped models), and it has an impressively low 0.34 drag coefficient.  

The Atlas Cross Sport models have a ground clearance of 6.3 inches, with 20.8 degrees of front departure angle for both front and all-wheel drive, 25.1 degrees of rear departure angle for front-wheel drive trims, and 24.9 degrees of rear departure angle for 4Motion® equipped models.  

The Atlas Cross Sport grille differs from the Atlas. Instead of a wide chrome front grille, the Cross Sport gains gloss-black details with a gloss-black “X” design stretching across the lower fascia, similar to that of the Taos crossover. Standard is the Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS). SEL Premium R-Line models have a gloss black grille.  

There are new LED 900-lumen headlights that are standard with AFS, automatic headlamps, rain-sensing windshield wipers on all Atlas Cross Sport trim levels, plus the addition of Light Assist on 2025 models, which is an auto-high beam assist feature. The headlights also feature daytime running lamps that are standard on all but base trim levels.  

Regardless of the trim level you purchase, all come standard with roof rails. The roof rails on SE and SE with Technology trims are black, while SEL and above models feature them in silver.  

SE with Technology and higher trim levels offer Easy Open and Close functions. To open and close them, use your foot to swipe underneath the rear bumper. This works with the KESSY® keyless access system.  

All trim levels come with newly designed wheels, with 18-inch rims on 245/60 all-season tires as standard. 255/50 all-season tires wrap the 20-inch wheels on SE with Technology and SEL, and 21-inch wheels on 265/45 all-season tires on SEL Premium R-Line models. 

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport can be optioned with a wide array of exterior colors, including Pure White, Opal White Pearl, Silver Mist, Platinum Grey, Deep Black Pearl, and Aurora Red Chroma. Mountain Lake Blue and Avocado Green are now available on the Atlas Cross Sport, two colors previously only available on the Atlas Peak Edition.  

Interior

With a fresh and functional interior design exuding Volkswagen vibes, the 2025 VW Atlas Cross Sport features ambient lighting in 30 different color choices and a backlit dash.  

Behind the second row, the Atlas Cross Sport features 40.3 cu.ft. of space. With the rear seats folded, cargo capacity increases to 77.6 cu.ft. The total interior volume is a vast 112 cu.ft.  

Standard heated and ventilated leatherette front seats with a 10-way adjustable driver’s seat and height-adjustable passenger seat make for a very comfortable cruising situation. SEL and up models add a driver’s seat memory function, an 8-way adjustable passenger seat, leather seating surfaces, and heated outboard seats for second-row passengers. SEL Premium R-Line trim receives quilted leather seats with a diamond pattern.  

All rows come with an assortment of 12V and six USB-C ports, and auxiliary jacks are standard, along with cup and bottle holders, storage nets, and cargo containers.

Technology

The Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport has always come with exemplary technology for all passengers, and the 2025 model is no different. With four standard USB-C ports (six available in total) that offer up to 45W of fast charging, a brand new 15-watt wireless charger, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 12-inch floating touchscreen infotainment display, you will struggle to find a better cockpit experience for all passengers and their devices.  

The fully digital instrument cluster, the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit system, receives a 10.25-inch customizable display with up to four views and is now standard across the entire Atlas range, regardless of trim level. Models that are optioned with navigation can show a full map display simultaneously on the gauge cluster and on the 12-inch infotainment screen.  

The standard sound system features up to six speakers, while the SEL Premium R-Line trim level comes with a 400-watt, 12-channel amplifier, 12-speaker Harmon-Kardon® Premium Audio System.  This immersive sound system was designed and engineered for live concert-like sound quality.  

Volkswagen Car-Net® first debuted in 2014, and on the 2025 Atlas Cross Sport, it can provide Remote Access, Safe & Secure, and Hotspot. With a properly equipped infotainment system, your Atlas Cross Sport can become a mobile hotspot with a corresponding data plan. If your Atlas Cross Sport features optional navigation, Car-Net can also help you find off-street parking by using an app called ParkopediaTM. Using the app on your phone, you can find parking lot addresses, pricing, and hours, and then you can send the information directly to your navigation system from your phone to be taken there.  

VW Car-Net® skills for Amazon AlexaTM can also use your active Amazon account to access an Alexa-enabled device to communicate with your Atlas Cross Sport and give it commands, such as, “Alexa, ask Car-Net to honk my horn.” [honk-honk] 

Car-Net® Safe & Secure is available at no additional cost to the owner for five years for model year 2025 vehicles. All you need to do is activate it. Upon activation, the free five-year plan includes Emergency Assistance, Information Assistance, Automatic Crash Notification, Anti-Theft Alert (requires the myVW app), and stolen vehicle location assistance.

Safety and Driver Assistance

IQ.DRIVE® is standard on all trims for model year 2025. The system utilizes front and rear radar, a front camera, and several ultrasound sensors to enable features such as: 

• Travel Assist (semi-automated driving assistance) 

• Front Assist (Forward Collision Warning and Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Monitoring) 

• Active Side Assist (Blind Spot Monitor)  

• Rear Traffic Alert  

• Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) Stop and Go 

• Lane Assist (Lane Keeping System) 

• Emergency Assist (semi-automated vehicle assistance in a medical emergency) 

Also standard is Volkswagen’s Intelligent Crash Response System, which shuts off the fuel pump, unlocks the doors, and switches on the hazard lights in the event of a collision.