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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Engine | 2.0L 4-Cylinder |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (S8) |
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Type | Regular |
| City / Hwy MPG | 20 / 26 MPG |
| Combined MPG | 23 MPG |
| Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $2,950 |
| CO₂ Emissions | 392 g/mi |
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
| Body Style | SUV |
| Base Price | $37,646–$43,417 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
Our scoring places the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport at 7.4/10 overall, which translates to a Good rating for this suv. Its strongest dimension is Performance at 8.8/10, while Safety at 6.7/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional suv — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. We score reliability at 7.4/10 — better than most direct rivals, if short of the segment's best. Safety is a notable gap at 6.7/10 in our scoring — below what the best in segment deliver. Check the official NHTSA ratings for the trim you're considering before deciding.
Performance is a genuine highlight at 8.8/10. The Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport delivers engaging driving dynamics — responsive handling, meaningful power delivery, and a drivetrain that rewards spirited driving without sacrificing daily usability. The cabin tech earns 8.1/10 — infotainment, smartphone integration, and driver-assistance are all close to the best this class offers.
Priced from $37,646–$43,417, 24 MPG, seating 5, the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport sits in the mid-market bracket of the suv segment. Value is where it presses its advantage — 8.6/10, meaning the feature set and quality outrun the asking price. At 1 year old, it's recent enough that the core feature set holds up well against current competition.
Our take: The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport is a passable suv but not a standout one. Weaknesses in safety hold it back from being a strong recommendation. It may suit buyers with specific needs it serves well, but we'd encourage comparing at least two or three higher-scored alternatives before deciding.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport ranks #1166 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 53% of the segment. Its 7.4/10 overall score is exactly at the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $37,646 starting price sits close to the segment's median of $36,079.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking → · Best SUVs under $50k →
Smart-money pick: the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport scores 7.3/10 — within striking distance of the 2025's 7.4 — and starts roughly $3,500 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7.4/10 | $37,646 | Read review → |
| 2025 (this review) | 7.4/10 | $37,646 | |
| 2024 | 7.4/10 | $36,550 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.5/10 | $35,453 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.3/10 | $34,357 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.2/10 | $33,260 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.3/10 | $32,164 | Read review → |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Power train / Automatic transmission 12/02/2025 · 25V081000 | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2025 Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The transmission may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in a loss of drive power. |
|---|---|
| Engine 17/02/2025 · 25V100000 | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The engine cover may have been improperly installed after vehicle service, allowing it to come loose and contact hot engine surfaces. |
| Back over prevention / sensing system / camera 21/05/2025 · 25V334000 | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Atlas Cross Sport and Atlas vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera image to become distorted when the vehicle is in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to… |
| Service brakes 30/06/2025 · 25V434000 | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Atlas, Atlas Cross Sport and 2023-2024 ID.4 vehicles. Certain bolts on the chassis, brake system and/or suspension (such as bolts for certain cross member, engine mount, control… |
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
We rate the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport's reliability 7.4/10 — above the middle of the pack for this class. It has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
4 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
It scores 7.4/10 overall, ranking #1166 of 2454 suvs in our database (better than 53% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.
The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport starts at $37,646 and ranges up to $43,417 across trims (MSRP when new). At 24 MPG, expect roughly $2,188/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Explore the full lineup of Volkswagen models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.