2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport vs 2022 Ford Edge

• 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

  

  Starting at

  $33,635^[a]

  2022 Ford Edge

  

  Starting at

  $37,145

  77.8	Cargo Space (cu.ft.)	73.4
  Std.	Digital Driver Display	No
  3,500	Standard Engine Towing (lbs)	2,000

  Midsize SUVs are extremely popular in the industry, and for good reason. They're the perfect size for commuters, regular road trippers, families, and virtually all types of drivers, offering plenty of space and features to appeal to today's busy traveler. Two top options on the road are the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, known for its athletic body style and well-laid-out interior, and the Ford Edge, known for its quality ride and innovative tech features. Although both SUVs bring a lot to the table, there are stark differences between the two that place one ahead of the other in the areas of interior design, technology, and performance. When it comes to the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport vs 2022 Ford Edge, there's a clear winner, especially if ride quality, features, and design are top priorities for you.

  The Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offers a nice set of fresh advancements for 2022, including a better-equipped base trim, standard all-wheel drive in some of its models, as well as a stylish SEL R-Line Black trim that makes its way into the lineup. The Ford Edge also provides some enhancements for 2022, with two new packages available, the Black Appearance package and the Adventure package, to add more excitement to the experience. All in all, both vehicles have a lot to offer to drivers everywhere; however, it'll be evident soon enough that there's a clear favorite on the road.

• Interior

  

  Interior Design Quality

  From the moment you cast your eyes upon the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, it'll be obvious that this midsize SUV showcases some serious athleticism throughout. Meant to traverse the trails as well as effortlessly glide through city traffic, the Atlas Cross Sport is an ideal blend of both form and function. Its interior is dotted with comfortable appointments, including available two-tone leather seating materials, stitched door panel accents, and an air of excellence that greets you upon entering its spacious and welcoming cabin. Much like its larger three-row sibling, the Atlas, the two-row Atlas Cross Sport provides style, comfort, and practicality that is very difficult to pass up.

  Upon entering the 2022 Ford Edge, you'll be able to tell that although it's nicely laid out, this particular model is well overdue for a revamp. Its simplistic design is being overshadowed by many of its rivals, which are elevating their overall experience with better quality materials, more modern design elements, and an all-around more contemporary feel. The Edge, with its basic styling, is falling behind the crowd as drivers are opting for more pizzazz in their vehicles. If you want to experience more excitement with the Edge's design, choosing higher-level trims will get you closer to this, as these trims offer options like leather seating, ambient lighting, and more luxuries. However, that upgrade comes at a price, and the base model Edge already costs more than the Atlas Cross Sport.

  A Versatile Space

  Many drivers are interested in midsize SUVs for their overwhelming practicality, with enough space inside to handle both passengers and cargo efficiently. This is where the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport shines, with 77.8 cu.ft. of space to accommodate more gear and ample headroom and legroom to offer a comfortable ride for all on board. Even its back row is suitable for adults, which elevates the status of the Atlas Cross Sport in the world of midsize SUVs, as many others can't accomplish this type of feat. Configurable seating and plenty of storage throughout make it easy to maximize the space inside of this perfectly sized traveler, and when you want to combine style and practicality together, the Atlas Cross Sport does this perfectly.

  The Ford Edge is also well laid out, but it is smaller than many of its rivals, including the Atlas Cross Sport. It can only offer a maximum of 73.4 cu.ft. of cargo volume, which is less than what its competitors can handle. It does showcase a nice array of storage solutions throughout the cabin and ample headroom and legroom, which is a plus. Unfortunately, when you combine its smaller cargo hold with its lack of modern style, you're setting yourself up for disappointment with the Edge. It just can't keep up with others in its class in terms of design, features, and size, causing it to take a backseat to other options, like the Atlas Cross Sport.

• Technology

  

  Tech to Make the Drive Better

  The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport showcases an arsenal of tech that will amaze you from the moment you take your place behind the wheel. One of its most impressive features is the standard Volkswagen Digital Cockpit, which provides drivers with all they need in order to maximize the journey in every way. From groundbreaking navigation to helpful driving details, everything about your ride is placed in front of you in a high-resolution format. In addition to this can't-miss feature, you'll also find that the Atlas Cross Sport offers plenty of popular technology features that today's drivers are seeking. These include wireless charging capabilities, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a WiFi Hotspot, and many more cutting-edge connectivity features designed to make the most out of your ride.

  You'll also find a nice selection of tech features in the 2022 Ford Edge, including Ford's SYNC 4A infotainment interface. Here, you'll have access to many of the same features you'll find in rivals, including smartphone integration, WiFi, and available built-in navigation for an additional charge. Overall, the tech inside the Edge is sufficient, although it is missing a digital driver display even in its top Titanium trim. It is also lacking in other areas of innovation, primarily when it comes to driver assistance.

  Assistance on the Road Ahead

  Volkswagen has one of the best suites of driver assistance tech on the market, and you'll find it all in the Atlas Cross Sport. From semi-autonomous driving capabilities to collision and lane assistance features, Volkswagen IQ.DRIVE has you covered during any journey. Perhaps what excites drivers the most is Travel Assist, which acts as a true assistant on the road, helping you with steering and handling through traffic, giving you extra assurance that you're not alone during the ride. In addition to this state-of-the-art driving tech, the Atlas Cross Sport also provides drivers with plenty of advanced assistance features to add security to any ride. Popular features include Dynamic Road Sign Display, which provides you with a better view of various road signs on your journey, and wide-angle camera views to deliver the visibility you need when parking or navigating through unfamiliar territory.

  Like the Atlas Cross Sport, the Ford Edge is also armed with a variety of driver assistance features to increase confidence on the road. Ford has recently unveiled its semi-autonomous driving system, called Blue Cruise, which can be found in a number of models, but unfortunately, the Ford Edge isn't one of them. You'll only find the basics in the Edge, which includes lane-keeping technology, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and a handful of other helpful features.

• Performance

  

  Engine Capabilities

  What resides underneath the hood can make or break your journey, especially if ride quality and capabilities are deciding factors for you. Fortunately, the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport has two engines available, so you're able to get the power you need out of this versatile SUV. Equipped with a base 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder or an upgraded 3.6L V6, the Atlas Cross Sport delivers the strength you need to be able to accomplish more during your journey. Able to tow up to 5,000 lbs with its V6 engine, the Atlas Cross Sport makes the ideal companion on any adventure, whether you're towing your camper out into the woods or hauling materials for a home improvement project. Plus, with all-wheel drive capabilities available, traversing uneven terrain or bad weather road conditions is easier, not to mention safer, in this VW favorite.

  The 2022 Ford Edge also showcases two engines, a base 2.0L EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder and a more powerful 2.7L EcoBoost turbocharged V6. However, front-wheel drive is not an option on the 2022 Edge, sacrificing some efficiency. The Edge is very similar to the Atlas Cross Sport in its capabilities; however, drivers tend to be a bit disappointed with the performance of its new Adventure package, which is known to showcase so-so off-road qualities.

  Everyday Ride Quality

  You can expect a sporty ride out of the Atlas Cross Sport, with nimble handling and an exciting experience behind the wheel. Faster off the line than its larger three-row counterpart, the Atlas, the Atlas Cross Sport is easy to handle, especially around the curves of the road, as well as exceptionally responsive, quiet, and refined during long highway jaunts. The Ford Edge also showcases a nice ride; however, in order to experience maximum thrill during your journey, you will need to pay more and opt for this ST model. This athletic model delivers the level of excitement you're looking for, but its starting price is several thousand dollars above the top-trim Atlass Cross Sport SEL Premium R-Line. All in all, the Atlas Cross Sport proves to be more consistent in its ride quality and performance, with the Edge lagging behind many of its competitors when the comfort of the ride matters.

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