The 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport marks the debut of a stylish, two-row SUV derived from the well-regarded Volkswagen Atlas. For prospective buyers prioritizing safety, understanding its crash test performance and safety ratings is crucial. This analysis delves into the safety evaluations of the 2020 Atlas Cross Sport, drawing from rigorous testing data to provide a comprehensive overview. It’s important to note that safety ratings assigned to the Volkswagen Atlas also extend to the 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, given their shared structural foundation, with the Cross Sport differing primarily in its two-row configuration compared to the Atlas’s three rows.
Small Overlap Front Crash Test: Driver-Side
The driver-side small overlap front crash test simulates a collision where only a small portion of the vehicle’s front corner impacts an object. The 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, sharing its structure with the tested 2018 Volkswagen Atlas, achieved a Good rating in this demanding evaluation.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | G |
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Chest | G |
| Hip/thigh | G |
| Lower leg/foot | G |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | G |
The structural integrity of the 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport shone through, earning a “Good” for structure and safety cage. Crucially, driver injury measures were also rated “Good” across all categories – head/neck, chest, hip/thigh, and lower leg/foot. This indicates a low risk of significant injuries in a real-world driver-side small overlap frontal crash scenario. Furthermore, the driver restraints and dummy kinematics were also deemed “Good,” signifying effective performance of the safety systems in controlling occupant movement during the crash.
Measurements taken after the test confirmed minimal intrusion into the occupant compartment. Intrusion measurements, critical for assessing survival space, were low across the lower and upper occupant compartment areas. For example, the maximum intrusion at the lower hinge pillar was just 8 cm, and the steering column showed no intrusion (0 cm).
The technical data reinforces the “Good” ratings. Head injury criterion (HIC) was a low 516, and chest compression was minimal at 23mm. Femur and tibia forces were also within acceptable limits, indicating a low risk of leg injuries.
Small Overlap Front Crash Test: Passenger-Side
Extending the evaluation to the passenger side, the 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport again demonstrated robust safety performance in the passenger-side small overlap front crash test, securing an overall Good rating.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | G |
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Passenger injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Chest | G |
| Hip/thigh | G |
| Lower leg/foot | G |
| Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics | G |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Chest | G |
| Hip/thigh | G |
| Lower leg/foot | G |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | G |
Mirroring the driver-side performance, the 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport achieved “Good” ratings for structure and safety cage, passenger injury measures, passenger restraints and kinematics, as well as driver injury measures and driver restraints and kinematics in the passenger-side test. This consistent “Good” performance across both sides of the vehicle in this challenging crash scenario speaks volumes about the vehicle’s structural design and occupant protection.
Occupant compartment intrusion measurements on the passenger side were also minimal, further supporting the visual evidence of a well-maintained survival space. Technical measurements for passenger injury criteria like HIC (397) and chest compression (19mm) were low, indicating a low risk of significant injuries for front-seat passengers. Interestingly, even driver injury measures, recorded in the passenger-side test, were also “Good”, demonstrating the overall structural integrity benefits both occupants.
Moderate Overlap Front Crash Test: Original Test
In the moderate overlap front crash test, which simulates a collision across a wider portion of the vehicle’s front, the 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport again earned the highest rating of Good. This rating is based on testing conducted by Volkswagen and assessed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | G |
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Chest | G |
| Leg/foot, left | G |
| Leg/foot, right | G |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | G |
Technical measurements from this test show minimal footwell intrusion and steering column movement. Driver injury measures were all rated “Good”, with low HIC (243) and chest compression (30mm) values, and acceptable femur and tibia forces.
Side Crash Test: Original and Updated Tests
The 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport was subjected to both the original and updated side crash tests. In both, it achieved a Good overall rating, demonstrating strong side-impact protection.
Side: Original Test (Rating applies to 2020-23 models)
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | G |
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Torso | G |
| Pelvis/leg | G |
| Driver head protection | G |
| Rear passenger injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Torso | G |
| Pelvis/leg | G |
| Rear passenger head protection | G |
Side: Updated Test (Rating applies to 2020-25 models)
In the updated side crash test, which is more stringent and uses a heavier barrier and higher impact speed, the 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport maintained its Good overall rating. However, the driver pelvis injury measure received a Marginal rating in the updated test, while all other metrics remained “Good”.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | G |
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Torso | G |
| Pelvis | M |
| Driver head protection | G |
| Rear passenger injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Torso | G |
| Pelvis | G |
| Rear passenger head protection | G |
Despite the “Marginal” rating for driver pelvis injury in the updated side test, the 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport still maintains an overall “Good” rating for side crash protection. Head protection for both driver and rear passenger remained “Good,” thanks to effective side airbag deployment.
Head Restraints and Seats
The 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport with power leatherette seats earned a Good rating for head restraints & seats. This evaluation assesses the seat’s ability to protect against whiplash in rear-end collisions.
| Overall evaluation | G |
|---|---|
| Dynamic rating | G |
| Seat/head restraint geometry | G |
Headlights
Headlight performance varies depending on the trim level of the 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport.
SEL, SEL R-Line, SEL Premium, SEL Premium R-Line trims: Equipped with LED projector headlights that are curve-adaptive and feature high-beam assist, these trims achieve a Good overall headlight rating.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Low-beam headlight type | LED projector |
| High-beam headlight type | LED projector |
| Curve-adaptive? | Yes |
| High-beam assist? | Yes |
| Overall rating | G |
S, SE, SE with Technology, SE with Technology R-Line trims: These trims feature LED projector headlights but without curve-adaptive functionality or high-beam assist. They receive a Marginal overall headlight rating due to less effective illumination in certain scenarios.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Low-beam headlight type | LED projector |
| High-beam headlight type | LED projector |
| Curve-adaptive? | No |
| High-beam assist? | No |
| Overall rating | M |
Front Crash Prevention: Vehicle-to-Vehicle
The 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport comes standard with Front Assist, including Autonomous Emergency Braking and Pedestrian Monitoring. This system earned a Superior rating in vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention tests.
| Overall evaluation | Rating |
|---|---|
| Superior |
In both 12 mph and 25 mph tests, the system successfully avoided collisions, demonstrating effective automatic emergency braking capabilities. However, the system does not fully meet the requirements for forward collision warning.
Child Seat Anchors (LATCH)
The LATCH system in the 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport received a Marginal rating for ease of use. While the vehicle has LATCH hardware in multiple rear seating positions, some lower anchors are located too deep in the seat and require excessive force to attach to, affecting user-friendliness.
| Overall evaluation | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | M |
| Vehicle trim | SE w/ Technology |
| Seat type | leatherette |
Conclusion
The 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport demonstrates strong crashworthiness, achieving mostly “Good” ratings in IIHS crash tests. It excels in front and side crash protection, and headlight performance is “Good” on higher trims. The vehicle also boasts a “Superior” rating for front crash prevention. The “Marginal” rating for child seat anchors and driver pelvis protection in the updated side test are areas for potential improvement, but overall, the 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport is a safe choice for SUV buyers, offering robust protection in various crash scenarios. For detailed specifications and further information, refer to the official IIHS reports and Volkswagen vehicle documentation.
