Compare the2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross SportVS 2021 Hyundai Tucson

Safety
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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The Atlas Cross Sport has standard Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Tucson doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

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

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Atlas Cross Sport has a standard rear cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Only the Tucson Value/SEL/Sport/Limited/Ultimate has a rear cross-path warning system.

Both the Atlas Cross Sport and the Tucson have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, lane departure warning systems and around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport is safer than the Hyundai Tucson:

	Atlas Cross Sport	Tucson
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	48	94
Chest Movement	.5 inches	.8 inches
Abdominal Force	64 lbs.	107 lbs.
Hip Force	215 lbs.	356 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	208	241
Spine Acceleration	35 G’s	55 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
Max Damage Depth	13 inches	14 inches
HIC	309	312
Spine Acceleration	41 G’s	48 G’s
Hip Force	594 lbs.	1028 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Reliability

The Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport’s engines use a cast iron block for durability, while the Tucson’s engines use an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Atlas Cross Sport has a standard 680-amp battery. The Tucson’s 600-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

Engine

The Atlas Cross Sport’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 74 more horsepower (235 vs. 161) and 108 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 150) than the Tucson’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Atlas Cross Sport’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 54 more horsepower (235 vs. 181) and 83 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 175) than the Tucson’s optional 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Atlas Cross Sport’s optional 3.6 DOHC V6 produces 95 more horsepower (276 vs. 181) and 91 lbs.-ft. more torque (266 vs. 175) than the Tucson’s optional 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport is faster than the Hyundai Tucson:

	Atlas Cross Sport turbo 4 cyl.	Atlas Cross Sport V6	Tucson 2.0	Tucson 2.4
Zero to 60 MPH	8.7 sec	7.9 sec	11 sec	9.6 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	5.3 sec	n/a	6.9 sec	4.9 sec
Quarter Mile	16.8 sec	16 sec	18.3 sec	17.3 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	88 MPH	87.4 MPH	80.2 MPH	83 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

In heavy traffic or at stop lights the Atlas Cross Sport’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Tucson doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Atlas Cross Sport has 2.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Tucson (18.6 vs. 16.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Transmission

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the Tucson.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Atlas Cross Sport’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Tucson:

	Atlas Cross Sport	Tucson
Front Rotors	13.2 inches	12 inches
Rear Rotors	12.2 inches	11.9 inches

The Atlas Cross Sport’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Tucson are solid, not vented.

The Atlas Cross Sport stops shorter than the Tucson:

	Atlas Cross Sport	Tucson
60 to 0 MPH	125 feet	128 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	134 feet	142 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Atlas Cross Sport has larger standard tires than the Tucson (245/60R18 vs. 225/60R17). The Atlas Cross Sport SEL Premium R-Line’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Tucson (265/45R21 vs. 245/45R19).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Atlas Cross Sport SE has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Tucson SE/Value. The Atlas Cross Sport SEL Premium R-Line’s 21-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels on the Tucson Sport.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Atlas Cross Sport’s wheelbase is 12.2 inches longer than on the Tucson (117.3 inches vs. 105.1 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Atlas Cross Sport is 3.8 inches wider in the front and 3.9 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Tucson.

The Atlas Cross Sport SEL 4Motion executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Tucson SE (27.4 seconds @ .61 average G’s vs. 27.9 seconds @ .6 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Atlas Cross Sport 2.0T has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Tucson (7.1 vs. 6.4 inches), allowing the Atlas Cross Sport to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Atlas Cross Sport V6’s minimum ground clearance is 1.1 inches higher than on the Tucson (7.5 vs. 6.4 inches).

Passenger Space

The Atlas Cross Sport has 9.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Tucson (112 vs. 102.2).

The Atlas Cross Sport has .2 inches more front legroom, 2.6 inches more front hip room, 4.4 inches more front shoulder room, 2.2 inches more rear legroom, 3.5 inches more rear hip room and 5.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the Tucson.

Cargo Capacity

The Atlas Cross Sport has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Tucson with its rear seat up (40.3 vs. 31 cubic feet). The Atlas Cross Sport has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Tucson with its rear seat folded (77.8 vs. 61.9 cubic feet).

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Atlas Cross Sport. The Tucson doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Towing

The Atlas Cross Sport’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Tucson’s (2000 vs. 1500 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Hyundai Tucson is only 2000 pounds. The Atlas Cross Sport offers up to a 5000 lbs. towing capacity.

Servicing Ease

The Atlas Cross Sport uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Tucson uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

Ergonomics

When three different drivers share the Atlas Cross Sport SEL, the memory system makes it convenient for all three. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations. The Tucson doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Atlas Cross Sport’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Tucson’s standard power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully. Only its driver’s window opens automatically.

If the windows are left open on the Atlas Cross Sport 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 Tucson can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Atlas Cross Sport’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Tucson’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Atlas Cross Sport SEL to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Tucson doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Atlas Cross Sport to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Tucson doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The Atlas Cross Sport’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Hyundai only offers heated mirrors on the Tucson Value/SEL/Sport/Limited/Ultimate.

When the Atlas Cross Sport SEL is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Tucson’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

Both the Atlas Cross Sport and the Tucson offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Atlas Cross Sport has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Tucson doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

The Atlas Cross Sport offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Tucson doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Atlas Cross Sport SEL Premium R-Line’s Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The Tucson doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport and the Hyundai Tucson, based on reliability, safety and performance.