A few months after revealing an all-new Atlas, Volkswagen has unveiled an all-new Atlas Cross Sport.

The second generation of the midsize SUV is launching for the 2027 model year, just like the updated Atlas.

The Atlas Cross Sport is essentially a five-seat version of the Atlas midsize SUV, offering a sloping rear roof and two rows of seating instead of three.

Volkswagen launched the Atlas Cross Sport back in 2020 as part of an effort to double up its SUV strategy.

The redesigned 2027 Atlas Cross Sport is 5.4 inches shorter than the Atlas, running an overall length of 195.6 inches. It’s also 2.1 inches lower.

“Because the cabin is low and the rear overhang short, it gives the car a really sporty stance. Both the proportions and the use of body colour trim elevate its look to the premium class. These chunkier proportions make it look really planted,” exterior designer William Lee said in a news release.

New design

The second-gen Atlas Cross Sport gets new sheet metal that sits on a similar profile.

It also has dynamic new front and rear lights, including double-stacked LED headlights, to go with a bolder front end.

Double light lines and an illuminated VW badge are available on all but the base trim, for a unique light signature.

New 20- and 21-inch aluminum alloy wheels with machined alloy and black finishes are available on all but the base trim. The entry-level model rides on 18-inch rollers.

The SUV also has three new exterior colours available. Those are Dark Sage Metallic, Blackberry Metallic and Sandstone.

Premium cabin materials

Volkswagen hopes to take the Atlas Cross Sport upscale with new premium soft-touch materials throughout the cabin.

The dashboard has a loop for a unique look and grey wood trim.

Buyers can choose from different interior colours, with three options available, those being: airy pebble grey, moody black, and medium brown, while the headliner is black with olive-green contrast stitching.

Leatherette is the standard material on the inside while the top two trims offer Varenna leather and Nappa leather.

The SUV also gets ambient lighting, with 10 colours as standard and 30 colours offered on the top two trims.

An “Atmospheres” feature, which is standard, co-ordinates lighting and audio settings.

Interior comfort and technology

The driver gets a 12-way ergonomic seat with four-way lumbar support on all trims. Upper trims also give the driver thigh support, and an improved full-back massage function for the two front seats.

A panoramic sunroof is offered on most trims.

A nine-speaker audio system is standard while a 14-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system is available on the top trim.

Volkswagen outfitted the Atlas Cross Sport with two screens. The driver gets a configurable gauge cluster measuring 10.25 inches and the centre screen measures 12.9 inches on the base model and 15 inches on all the others.

The console features Qi2 wireless charging for two phones, plus there are five USB-C ports throughout the cabin.

Updated powertrain

The powertrain has been revised for the second-gen Atlas Cross Sport, with the turbocharged 2-litre four-cylinder engine now producing 282 hp and 258 lb.-ft. of torque. That’s an increase of 13 hp with an expected improvement to fuel economy.

Front-wheel drive is standard and 4Motion all-wheel drive is available.

A hybrid powertrain will be available in the future.

Availability

The Atlas Cross Sport, like the Atlas, is assembled in the U.S.

It’s expected to be available in early 2027. Canadian market details were not provided.

For updates, visit the VW Canada website.

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