Compare the2022 Infiniti QX55VS 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

The Infiniti QX55 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Atlas Cross Sport doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The QX55 has standard Rear Automatic Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Atlas Cross Sport doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the QX55. But it costs extra on the Atlas Cross Sport.

Both the QX55 and the Atlas Cross Sport have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

The QX55 comes with a full 4-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Atlas Cross Sport’s 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 10,000 miles sooner.

Infiniti’s powertrain warranty covers the QX55 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Volkswagen covers the Atlas Cross Sport. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Atlas Cross Sport ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

The QX55’s 7 year corrosion warranty has no mileage limitations, but the corrosion warranty on the Atlas Cross Sport runs out after 100,000 miles.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Infiniti vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Infiniti 23rd in reliability. With 26 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volkswagen is ranked 28th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Infiniti vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Infiniti 13 places higher in reliability than Volkswagen.

The QX55’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 33 more horsepower (268 vs. 235) and 22 lbs.-ft. more torque (280 vs. 258) than the Atlas Cross Sport’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The QX55’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 14 lbs.-ft. more torque (280 vs. 266) than the Atlas Cross Sport’s optional 3.6 DOHC V6.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Infiniti QX55 higher (6 out of 10) than the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport (3 to 5). This means the QX55 produces up to 23.4 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Atlas Cross Sport every 15,000 miles.

The QX55 has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Atlas Cross Sport doesn’t offer a CVT.

For better traction, the QX55 has larger tires than the Atlas Cross Sport (255/45R20 vs. 245/60R18).

The QX55’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Atlas Cross Sport’s standard 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the QX55 has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Atlas Cross Sport.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the QX55 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Atlas Cross Sport doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The QX55 has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the QX55 flat and controlled during cornering. The Atlas Cross Sport’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For better maneuverability, the QX55’s turning circle is 4.1 feet tighter than the Atlas Cross Sport’s (36.4 feet vs. 40.5 feet).

For greater off-road capability the QX55 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Atlas Cross Sport (8.6 vs. 8 inches), allowing the QX55 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The QX55 is 9.2 inches shorter than the Atlas Cross Sport, making the QX55 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

To almost totally eliminate engine vibration in the passenger area, the QX55 has an electronically controlled liquid-filled main engine mount. A computer-controlled electric current in the liquid changes its viscosity, allowing the mount to dampen the engine completely at all RPMs. The Atlas Cross Sport uses conventional solid rubber engine mounts.

The QX55 uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Atlas Cross Sport doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the QX55’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Atlas Cross Sport doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Infiniti service is better than Volkswagen. J.D. Power ranks Infiniti third in service department satisfaction. With a 64% lower rating, Volkswagen is ranked 27th.

The QX55 Essential/Sensory’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Atlas Cross Sport doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The QX55 offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Atlas Cross Sport doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

If the windows are left open on the QX55 the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Atlas Cross Sport can’t use the remote to operate the windows.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the QX55 has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the Atlas Cross Sport only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

The QX55 has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the Atlas Cross Sport SE/SEL/R-Line.