The Audi Q8 is one of the most luxurious and tech-savvy two-row SUVs currently on the market. If you’re longing for a sense of prestige, but need ample space for five occupants and all of their stuff, then the Q8 is a great choice. However, it costs a lot. So if you can’t afford an Audi Q8, then we suggest buying a Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport instead.

Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

Comparing the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport to the Audi Q8 might seem like comparing Clark Kent to Superman, but if you’re shopping for a five-seat, sporty SUV, then the odd pairing is actually apropos. They are both similarly shaped and have a lot of the same features if you look closely. The Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport is the two-row version of the existing Atlas that has been in the lineup since 2018.

The two stablemates are identical except for the steep raking rear roofline on the Cross Sport, along with a few other more-aggressive aesthetic details. In any case, the 2020 Atlas Cross Sport comes with either a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine that puts out 235 hp or a 3.6-liter V6 engine that produces 276 hp, both of which are paired up to an eight-speed automatic transmission and have the option of the brand’s 4Motion all-wheel-drive system. Other tech features include a 10-inch digital cockpit display, an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and a Fender premium audio system that pushes out 480 watts.

The maximum towing capacity for the Atlas Cross Sport is 5,000 pounds and it can also come with adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and lane assist.

Audi Q8

On the other end of the spectrum, the Audi Q8 comes standard with a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine that produces 335 hp that’s mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and can tow up 7,700 pounds. It has similar dimensions to the Atlas Cross Sport, however, it’s dimensions and safety features is where the comparison mostly ends as the Q8 comes with a more intuitive touchscreen infotainment system as well as a crisp and configurable Audi Virtual Cockpit instrument panel.

Additionally, the Q8’s luxurious appointments are spread throughout the cabin as there are elegant leather upholstery and soft-touch materials on almost every surface including the dash. The overall look and feel of the two-row SUV show you where your $70,000 to $80,000 went. But that’s the issue, the car costs over twice as much as the Atlas Cross Sport.

Buy the Atlas Cross Sport over the Q8

On the other hand, the 2020 Atlas Cross Sport starts at around $30,545 and if you make up the multitude of available trim levels, then you can top out a Cross Sport at just over $50,000. In that case, you would still be spending $20,000 less than a base Q8, which is luxuriously plush, however, you would still get more features on the Atlas Cross Sport SEL Premium. So if you’re in the market for a sporty SUV, then save your money and get the most value by going with a Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport.