Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport vs. Ford Explorer

If you’re like many drivers, you probably enjoy driving a versatile vehicle. You’ll be pleased to learn that the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport and the Ford Explorer offer plenty of utility to go around. These vehicles are designed with the engine power and all-wheel-drive capabilities you need for some solid towing and off-roading.

We want to help Avon, Indianapolis, and Plainfield, IN, drivers decide which of these SUVs is the best choice for them. That’s why, Andy Mohr Volkswagen is proud to offer this comprehensive comparison to give you the in-depth look you need at these two vehicles.

2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport vs 2022 Ford Explorer Quick Facts

The VW Atlas Cross Sport offers available IQ.DRIVE®.
The VW Atlas Cross Sport has five trim levels.
The VW Atlas Cross Sport has a Volkswagen Digital Cockpit.

VW Atlas Cross Sport vs Ford Explorer: Advanced Driver-Assistance Features

2022 Volkswagen Cross Sport Safety You probably like a good adventure from time to time, and that means a lot of driving. To make things easier on you, both the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport and the Ford Explorer offer available Lane Assist. This feature lets the SUV correct your steering when you begin to cross into the other lane without using your turn signal.

You’ll find that driver assistance is taken one step further aboard the VW Atlas Cross Sport, thanks to the available IQ.DRIVE® suite. This unique suite includes a range of semiautonomous driver-assistance features, which allows for absolute comfort while driving through traffic.

When the weather suddenly shifts, rain-sensing windshield wipers will feel like a blessing as they automatically activate and give you a clear view. However, this feature only comes standard on the VW Atlas Cross Sport. You can get it equipped on the Ford Explorer, but you’ll have to upgrade to a higher trim for it.

The all-weather lights with low-speed corner-illuminating feature of the 2022 VW Atlas Cross Sport will also come in handy when driving through those dark and stormy nights. Nothing will be able to escape your view in this SUV.

2022 VW Atlas Cross Sport vs 2022 Ford Explorer: Available Trim Options

Another great reason to love the VW Atlas Cross Sport is that it offers plenty of trims to help you customize your vehicle. With five available trim levels, you can equip the car to your unique needs for a much more comprehensive experience.

Compare this to the Ford Explorer, which offers eight trim levels. With that many options to look through, it may be harder to find a model that has what you’re looking for.

VW Atlas Cross Sport vs Ford Explorer: Dimensions and Space

2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport Space The VW Atlas Cross Sport is a compact SUV with seating for five, as opposed to the 7-seat configuration of the Ford Explorer. However, both are undeniably spacious inside.

Both SUVs offer similar interior dimensions across the board, which means that you and your passengers will likely be able to get comfortable no matter the vehicle you choose. However, second-row passengers will have slightly more room to stretch their legs inside the VW Atlas Cross Sport.

In the rear row of the VW Atlas Cross Sport, riders can enjoy 40.4 inches of legroom, whereas the Explorer only supplies 39 inches of legroom in the rear row. So, if you’re heading out on a road trip, the VW Atlas Cross Sport might be a good choice for your taller friends.

Additionally, the VW Atlas Cross Sport provides 40.3 cubic feet of cargo room behind the rear row while the Explorer offers 18.2 cubic feet behind its rear row. With the rear row of the VW Atlas Cross Sport folded down, you’ll find that cargo capacity is boosted to 77.8 cubic feet.

Even after folding down the rear row of the Explorer, you’ll find that this SUV lags behind with only 47.9 cubic feet of cargo room. To rival the standard cargo capacity of the VW Atlas Cross Sport, you would have to fold down the rear and middle rows of the Ford Explorer.

VW Atlas vs Ford Explorer: High-Tech Driver Display

Today’s vehicles are becoming more and more technologically advanced, and that’s evident in the display systems in both of these vehicles. The VW Atlas Cross Sport and the Ford Explorer feature many systems that offer easy access to entertainment and essential driver-assist features on the go.

To provide you with even more convenience when out on the road, the VW Atlas Cross Sport is equipped with a Volkswagen Digital Cockpit. This system allows you to fully customize the driving display. It can even show you a navigation map. While the Ford Explorer offers its own driver display, it doesn’t offer quite as many features.

Infotainment Systems

Both vehicles come with a unique infotainment system. The VW Atlas Cross Sport comes with App-Connect and the Ford Explorer offers a SYNC® system. Each system gives the driver access to all of their favorite infotainment features and apps. In fact, both of them also provide easy smartphone integration, so you can stream your music or podcasts with ease.

However, the major difference between these vehicles is that App-Connect comes standard with Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ integration.

2022 VW Atlas Cross Sport vs 2022 Ford Explorer: Verdict

While both SUVs put up a solid fight, it’s the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport that overcomes the Ford Explorer in the end. We feel that the features of the VW Atlas Cross Sport will be of particular interest to Avon, Indianapolis, and Plainfield, Indiana, drivers.

Want to see more of the 2022 VW Atlas Cross Sport for yourself? Schedule a test drive with Andy Mohr Volkswagen today!

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