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Tech headaches strike again. While the Volkswagen Altas Cross Sport is a well-rounded option that’s comfortable and engaging, it falls behind in one crucial area. See why the 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport may frustrate owners.

Does the 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport have good tech?

For the most part, the 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport delights with modern and advanced tech. However, some drivers might be frustrated by the 12.0-inch touchscreen controls.

Everything but the digital gauge cluster controls relies on touch-sensitive buttons. You don’t have a physical dial for the radio volume or AC.

You slide your finger across a bar to adjust the volume and even use a touch-sensitive slider to open the panoramic sunroof.

The infotainment system works quickly with attractive graphics. However, clicking through menus to adjust the climate controls and other settings might be distracting. Using the steering wheel controls to change the digital gauge cluster settings is quick and easy, though.

Also, switching between driving modes changes the look of the digital gauge cluster screen, infotainment menu, and ambient lighting to provide a noticeable difference and interactive personality.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport parked near trees
2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport | Allison Barfield, MotorBiscuit

The VW Atlas Parking Assist screen is a little confusing. You see a digital Altas in the top of the center on the screen and the rest of the screen is grey.

But you press it once to have the vehicle parallel park itself and twice to pull into a straight parking spot. I think a parking camera button would be more convenient so I could see my surroundings while parking.

The head-up display shows your speed and navigation instructions, but I had trouble getting the adaptive cruise control menu to disappear when I wasn’t using it.

Also, the adaptive cruise control system wasn’t as smooth as the system in the Mazda CX-5. It seemed to have a few hiccups and speed delays.

However, the 12-speaker Harmon Kardon audio system is flawless and the 360-degree camera with parking sensors is very helpful.

The mud on the rear-view camera had to be wiped off, though. I didn’t even take it off-roading before the lens was covered.

How do you get the Volkswagen Atlas remote start to work?

You have to be within range of the 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport to get remote start to work. I had trouble with it, even though I stood between five to ten feet away from the SUV.

I checked to see if the remote start function needed a subscription to work after many failed attempts, but a subscription isn’t required.

It may be helpful to press the button once and then wait about three seconds before hitting it a second time. Also, it might not start if all the doors, windows, and tailgate aren’t properly closed.

You need to hit the lock button first to wake the car up, by the way. Then it should be paying attention to your commands. If the battery is low or the fuel level is low it might not start remotely to conserve its juice.

Stay tuned for my driving impressions in a few days!