2021 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2020 Ford Expedition

The 2020 Ford Expedition, last redesigned in 2018, was a full-size SUV with a clean, albeit somewhat boring, design. This simplicity in styling was expected to age well, making it a good long-term investment. The King Ranch model stood out with its 22-inch aluminum wheels, mesh grille insert, LED headlights, and exclusive gray-painted lower exterior trim. The Star White metallic paint on the test SUV looked impressive, though the taillight shape and roof C-pillar design were points of contention. Inside, the King Ranch featured special Del Rio leather in Mesa over Ebony, with numerous King Ranch logos, though the presence of hard plastic in lower trims was disappointing for a vehicle in this price range.

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 compared to the 2020 model. The R-Line trim package added sportier bumpers and side skirts. Despite these updates, the Atlas still rode on the same MQB platform, which was used across many VW models. The interior followed a minimalist approach, with a standard seven-seat configuration and available second-row captain’s chairs. However, material quality in the mid-level SE with Technology trim was below average, with cheap-feeling plastics and unconvincing simulated wood and metal trim.

The 2020 Ford Expedition was powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, producing 375 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 470 pound-feet of torque at 2,250 rpm. This engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, delivered power to the rear wheels or an optional 4WD system. The Expedition had a ground clearance of 9.8 inches (9.7 inches for the MAX 4WD) and impressive towing capacities of up to 9,300 pounds. The driving experience was generally pleasant, with the engine providing ample power and the 10-speed automatic ensuring smooth gear changes. The adaptive damping suspension on the King Ranch model helped manage ride motions, though the large wheels sometimes resulted in a busy ride. The independent rear suspension improved ride quality and interior space, though fuel economy was a modest 17.7 mpg in real-world testing.

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 or optional 4Motion AWD. The driving experience with the base engine and AWD was underwhelming, with adequate acceleration but rough shifts and poor ride quality. The Atlas had an Active Control feature with different drive modes, but these did not improve on-road handling. The VR6 models could tow up to 5,000 pounds, while the four-cylinder models were limited to 2,000 pounds. Fuel economy for the four-cylinder models was 22 mpg combined with FWD, while the VR6 models achieved 19 mpg combined with FWD.

The 2020 Ford Expedition excelled at towing, carrying cargo, and hauling people. The King Ranch model featured power running boards for easy access, and the interior was spacious and comfortable, especially in the front seats, which were heated and ventilated. The second-row captain’s chairs provided first-class accommodations, and the third-row seat was genuinely comfortable for adults. The standard-length Expedition offered 19.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, while the Expedition MAX provided 34.3 cubic feet. With the third row folded, cargo space increased to 57.5 cubic feet (73.3 in the MAX), and with the second row folded, it reached 104.6 cubic feet (121.5 in the MAX).

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. The Atlas provided more third-row legroom than most competitors, though this came at the expense of second-row legroom, which was the worst 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 interior controls were logically laid out, and up to five USB ports and an optional wireless charging pad were available. The Atlas also featured up to 17 cupholders, though forward visibility was less than optimal.

The 2020 Ford Expedition featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Sync 3, which was easy to use but sometimes slow to respond. It included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, FordPass Connect with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, a navigation system, and an available Bang & Olufsen premium sound system. A rear-seat entertainment system with dual screens and Pro Trailer Backup Assist were also available, the latter being particularly useful for frequent towing.

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 trim levels offered Volkswagen’s Digital Cockpit, a 10.3-inch reconfigurable digital display. The Atlas was set to receive the new MIBIII infotainment system later in the model year, which would add multi-phone pairing, improved voice recognition, and a redesigned navigation system. The base six-speaker audio system was decent, with an option to center the sound in a specific row. A 12-speaker Fender audio system was available on higher trims. New for 2021 was a built-in 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, supporting up to four devices.

The 2020 Ford Expedition came standard with Ford Co-Pilot360, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The ADAS worked well, providing smooth and accurate assistance. The Expedition received 5-star ratings in every NHTSA crash test, except for a 4-star rollover resistance rating. The IIHS had not tested the Expedition at the time of the review.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas received top “good” ratings in all IIHS crash tests, though it had a “marginal” rating for child-seat anchors and mixed headlight ratings. The NHTSA had not published ratings for the 2021 model, but the 2020 model received a five-star overall rating. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring, with adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist available on higher trims. The Atlas was set to receive more sophisticated driver aids later in the model year, including Travel Assist and Emergency Assist.