2021 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2020 Ford Edge

The 2020 Ford Edge, introduced in 2006, was based on the Ford Fusion sedan platform, offering a car-like ride and ample cabin space. The second generation, updated in 2019, carried over to 2020 with angular headlights and a large trapezoidal grille, giving it a crossover version of the Fusion look. Inside, the layout remained largely unchanged since 2015, with some updates in 2019. The center console had small, awkwardly arranged controls, but the rotary shifter was a contemporary design cue. The cabin quality was decent, with soft-touch materials and solid fit-and-finish, though marred by heavy use of hard plastics.

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, giving it a more extroverted look. The Atlas rode on the same MQB platform as before, used by most current VW models. The interior had a minimalist approach, with a standard seven-seat configuration and available second-row captain’s chairs. Material quality on the mid-level SE with Technology trim was below average, with cheap-feeling plastics and faux wood and metal trim.

The 2020 Ford Edge came standard with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 250 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered solid low-end acceleration but struggled at higher speeds. The suspension was designed for American roads, soaking up potholes while remaining refined and engaging. The sporty Edge ST variant featured a 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, delivering 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque, with standard AWD. The ST had heavy steering, excellent cornering, and a Sport mode for enhanced driving experience.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas offered two engine options: a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four with 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.6-liter VR6 with 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with standard FWD and optional 4Motion AWD. The driving experience with the base engine and AWD was underwhelming, with rough shifts and poor ride quality. The Atlas had an Active Control feature with different drive modes, but handling remained truck-like. VR6 models could tow up to 5,000 pounds, while four-cylinder models were limited to 2,000 pounds. Fuel economy was unimpressive, with the four-cylinder engine rated at 22 mpg combined with FWD.

The 2020 Ford Edge excelled in cabin layout, offering a commanding view of the road and plenty of storage compartments. The second-row seats provided ample head- and legroom without needing to move the front seats. The Edge offered 39.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 73.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The SEL and Titanium trims featured a hands-free foot-activated power rear liftgate.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas, designed as a family hauler, offered 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. The Atlas had a tall driving position, but forward visibility was less than optimal. It featured up to five USB ports, an optional wireless charging pad, and up to 17 cupholders. Ultrasonic parking sensors and low-speed automatic braking were standard, with active park assist available on higher trims.

The 2020 Ford Edge came standard with Ford’s SYNC 3 infotainment system, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto integration. The system was easy to use, with a row of icons at the bottom and a home button for easy navigation. A voice-activated navigation system was optional on the SEL and ST trims and standard on the Titanium. The Edge also offered a semi-digital instrument panel and an optional dual rear-seat entertainment system.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas featured 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, a 10.3-inch reconfigurable digital display. The Atlas was set to receive VW’s new MIBIII infotainment system later in the model year, with multi-phone pairing, improved voice recognition, and a redesigned navigation system. A 12-speaker Fender audio system was available on higher trims, and a built-in 4G LTE WiFi hotspot was new for 2021.

The 2020 Ford Edge came standard with a full array of airbags, AdvanceTrac traction control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The Ford Co-Pilot360 safety system was standard on all trims, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and blind-spot monitoring. The SEL trim offered the Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package, adding adaptive cruise control and active lane centering. The Edge received a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas received top ratings in all IIHS crash tests, with mixed headlight ratings. The NHTSA had not published ratings for the 2021 model, but the 2020 model received a five-star overall rating. The Atlas came standard with 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 SEL and SEL Premium trims.