2027 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport Photos, Specs, and Tech

Volkswagen's new two-row Atlas Cross Sport SUV is more stylish, more powerful, and more efficient.

Tim Stevens | 

Aug 21, 2026 | 4 min read

Volkswagen

Not everybody who wants a big SUV needs three rows of seating, and since 2020 Volkswagen has been serving that customer with the Atlas Cross Sport. Hot on the heels of VW unveiling the all-new 2027 Atlas, the automaker has shared details about the new Atlas Cross Sport, which gives up length and height in exchange for style and poise. Add a more powerful, more efficient motor, and you have what looks to be an impressive upgrade. 

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2027 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport vs. Atlas

While the three-row 2027 Atlas maintains its upright, boxy style to match its name, the new Cross Sport sheds some of that bulk in the name of style. It's 2.1 inches lower than the standard Atlas and 5.4 inches shorter. That gives it a more stylish look, even if the nose stays pretty much the same.

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2027 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport Specs

The 2027 Atlas Cross Sport picks up Volkswagen's new EVO5 version of its E888 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. It utilizes a variable-geometry turbocharger and direct injection to deliver 282 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. That's up 13 horsepower over the old Cross Sport's engine.

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2027 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport Fuel Economy

Despite a boost in power, the Atlas Cross Sport should get better fuel economy, according to VW. The automaker didn't quote exact figures for combined city and highway driving, but the 2027 Atlas in its three-row configuration is expected to deliver a 2-mpg increase in fuel economy, which means likely fuel-economy ratings of about 25 mpg combined for the front-wheel-drive model and about 23 mpg for the 4Motion all-wheel-drive version. For the 2026 model year, both the Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport shared the same mpg ratings.

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2027 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport Hybrid Is Coming

Want even more efficiency? It's coming. A hybrid version of the SUV is in the works, but not for a few years. Until then, that upgraded 2.0-liter engine is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission on all trims. Front-wheel drive comes standard, while Volkswagen's 4Motion all-wheel drive is optional. 

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2027 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport Lighting Upgrades

To help identify the 2027 Atlas, Volkswagen has fitted the SUV with LED headlights as standard, while all but the base trim receive what Volkswagen calls "double lightlines." That's a pair of LED strips running the entire width of the grille. The VW logo in the middle is also illuminated, and there's more lighting on the side, too, with illuminated door handles and puddle lamps.

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2027 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport Interior

Inside, all 2027 Atlas Cross Sports feature a 10.3-inch digital driver display. The base trim level pairs it with a 12.9-inch center touchscreen, while all other trims upgrade you to a new 15.0-inch touchscreen, shown here.

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2027 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport Infotainment System

The infotainment system on the 2027 Atlas Cross Sport offers everything from a Wi-Fi hot spot to connected navigation as part of a new subscription plan, at a cost the company had not announced as of publication. Both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay will be available wirelessly, and there's a pair of wireless charging pads plus five USB-C ports. 

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2027 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport Driver Experience Dial

The touchscreen isn't the only thing that's new inside the 2027 Atlas Cross Sport. Down on the center console, Volkswagen has added what it calls a Driver Experience Dial for quickly adjusting volume, drive mode, or cycling through a feature called Atmospheres, which changes the ambient lighting and stereo system to create different moods.

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2027 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport Safety

The 2027 Atlas Cross Sport adds a new front center airbag, bringing the total to seven. When it comes to driver assistance, Volkswagen gives the Atlas Cross Sport the latest IQ.Drive collection of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), with features such as automatic parking assist, adaptive cruise control, and lane-centering assist with automated lane changes. 

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2027 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport Availability and Production

Like the three-row Atlas, the 2027 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport will be built in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Production is slated to begin in early 2027. As of publication, Volkswagen had not yet announced pricing on the Atlas Cross Sport, but the three-row 2027 Atlas starts at $43,135, including the $1,525 destination charge to ship the SUV to your local dealer. For reference, the 2026 Atlas Cross Sport was roughly $1,000 cheaper than the three-row version.

Tim Stevens

Tim is a freelance automotive and technology journalist with more than 25 years of experience. He is a frequent contributor to major domestic and international online, print, and broadcast news outlets, sharing his insights and perspectives on everything from cybersecurity to supercars. Tim also serves as a juror for the World Car Awards and regularly acts as speaker and moderator at major industry events such as CES, Web Summit, SXSW, NAIAS, and AutoMobility LA. He formerly served as editor-at-large and vice president of content at CNET. Before that he was editor-in-chief of Engadget and editorial director at AOL Tech.