2021 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2020 Cadillac XT4

Cadillac employed a “Y” trim level strategy for the 2020 XT4, starting with the standard Luxury trim and offering upgrades to Premium Luxury or Sport trim. The test vehicle featured Premium Luxury trim, which emphasized comfort over sportiness. It came with front-wheel drive (FWD), Silver Radiant metallic paint, 20-inch aluminum wheels, a navigation system, a Bose premium audio system, and several option packages, totaling $45,660 including a $995 destination charge.

Visually, the XT4 was one of the most appealing Cadillac crossovers, especially with its 20-inch alloy wheels. It had crisp, tailored styling with proper proportions, though the front overhang was a bit excessive due to the front-drive platform. Inside, the cabin was pleasant with competitive-quality materials, though some elements like the plain black trim around the power window controls felt out of place in a luxury vehicle.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas received a styling refresh, including new front and rear bumpers, standard LED headlights and taillights, and a new grille. These changes added 2.4 inches to its length. The Atlas had a more extroverted look compared to the 2020 model, though the fake chrome exhaust tips were a bit cheesy. The R-Line trim package added sportier bumpers and side skirts. Despite the cosmetic changes, the Atlas still rode on the same MQB platform as before, which was used by most current VW models.

The Atlas came with 18-inch alloy wheels on S and SE trims, while higher trims got 20-inch wheels, and the R-Line package added 21-inch wheels. Roof rails were standard, and a panoramic sunroof was available on the SE with Technology model and standard on the SEL and SEL Premium trims. The interior had a minimalist approach with sensibly laid-out controls. The standard seating configuration included seven seats across three rows, with second-row captain’s chairs available on higher trims. Material quality on the mid-level SE with Technology test car was below average, with cheap-feeling plastics and simulated wood and metal trim.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, available from 1,500 to 4,000 rpm. It had a nine-speed automatic transmission, and the EPA rated the FWD XT4 at 26 mpg, though the test vehicle returned 24.8 mpg. The XT4 had a lively driving character due to its fat band of torque, but the FWD model experienced front-wheel slip and torque steer. The nine-speed automatic provided smooth shifts but was hesitant to downshift in Tour mode, a problem that persisted, though less frequently, in Sport mode. Paddle shifters were available but not very effective. The XT4’s interior needed better isolation from engine and road noise, and the ride and handling were mixed, with good steering effort in Tour mode but an artificially heavy sensation in Sport mode. The standard suspension did not handle speed humps well and allowed excess body movement, though the oversized wheels offered impressive grip.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas offered two engine options: a standard 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four producing 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.6-liter VR6 rated at 276 hp and 266 lb-ft. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with standard FWD or optional 4Motion AWD. The AWD system defaulted to FWD under low load to save fuel but could send power to the rear wheels when needed. The base 2.0-liter engine with AWD provided adequate acceleration, but the driving experience was underwhelming, with rough shifts and poor ride quality. The Atlas had a multilink independent rear suspension but handled like a truck and punished occupants with every pavement imperfection. AWD models had an Active Control feature with different drive modes, but these did not improve on-road handling. The Atlas had eight inches of ground clearance and an Offroad mode, but it was best suited for pavement. VR6 models could tow up to 5,000 pounds, while four-cylinder models were limited to 2,000 pounds. Fuel economy ratings were unimpressive, with the 2.0-liter engine getting 22 mpg combined with FWD and 21 mpg with AWD, and the VR6 getting 19 mpg combined with FWD and 18 mpg with AWD.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 offered a comfortable experience for the driver and front passenger, with soft leather, padded armrests, and heated, ventilated, and massaging seats. The steering wheel was heated but too skinny. The rear seats were heated and had air conditioning vents, and the rear passenger compartment felt roomier than many small SUVs, though the rear seat cushion lacked support. The XT4’s air conditioning system was excellent, rapidly cooling the interior during a Southern California heatwave. The climate controls were elegantly arranged, and there was ample storage space within the cabin. However, cargo space was limited, with 22.5 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 48.9 cubic feet with the rear seat folded. A hands-free power liftgate was available.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas was designed as a family hauler, offering 96.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the front seats and 20.6 cubic feet with all seats up. It provided more third-row legroom than most competitors but had the worst second-row legroom in its class. The second-row bench seat was uncomfortable with thin, flat cushions. Folding and raising the second- and third-row seats was straightforward, and third-row access was easy thanks to a sliding second-row bench. The Atlas had a driver-focused layout with controls within easy reach, up to five USB ports, and an optional wireless charging pad. It also had up to 17 cupholders. The tall driving position provided a commanding view, but forward visibility was less than optimal. Ultrasonic parking sensors were standard, and higher trims offered low-speed automatic braking and active park assist.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 featured the latest version of the Cadillac User Experience (CUE) system, which was much improved from previous versions. The test vehicle included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a WiFi hotspot, Cadillac Connected Access services, and near-field communication pairing to Bluetooth for two devices. The 8-inch display was a touchscreen, and there were intuitive controls on the center console and steering wheel, as well as a voice-recognition system. However, the screen needed to be larger, and the climate system should be integrated into the voice-recognition system. The optional 13-speaker Bose Centerpoint surround audio system provided a satisfying listening experience. The test car did not have a head-up display or a rear camera mirror.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas came with Bluetooth and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. The base S trim had a 6.5-inch infotainment touchscreen, while other models had an 8-inch screen. Higher trims offered Volkswagen’s Digital Cockpit, replacing analog gauges with a 10.3-inch reconfigurable digital display. The Atlas was set to receive VW’s new MIBIII infotainment system later in the 2021 model year, which would add multi-phone pairing capability, improved voice recognition, and a redesigned navigation system. The SE with Technology test car had the 8-inch screen without Digital Cockpit, and while the menus were easy to navigate, the displays were plain and text-heavy. The base six-speaker audio system sounded decent, and a 12-speaker Fender audio system was available on higher trims. A built-in 4G LTE WiFi hotspot was new for 2021, supporting up to four devices with service provided by Verizon.

For the 2020 model year, the Cadillac XT4 added forward-collision warning, front pedestrian braking, low-speed automatic emergency braking, and the Safety Alert Seat system to its standard equipment. These features joined a rear-seat reminder, Teen Driver parental report card technology, and two free years of automatic collision notification and emergency assistance service. Premium Luxury and Sport trims added blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and lane-change warning systems. The Driver Awareness Package included automatic high-beam headlights, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and a following-distance indicator. Adaptive cruise control was available in the Driver Assist Package, which also included high-speed automatic emergency braking and reverse automatic braking. A new rear pedestrian alert system was available with the Enhanced Visibility Package. The XT4 received a 5-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Good ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for moderate-overlap frontal-impact and side-impact protection.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas received the top “good” rating in all IIHS crash tests, but with a “marginal” rating for child-seat anchors and mixed headlight ratings. The standard headlights were rated “marginal,” while the headlights on higher trims were rated “good.” The NHTSA had not published ratings for the 2021 Atlas, but the 2020 model received a five-star overall rating. Every 2021 Atlas trim level had standard automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring. Higher trims offered adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and traffic-jam assist. Later in the model year, the Atlas was set to receive Travel Assist and Emergency Assist on higher trims.