2021 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2020 Land Rover Range Rover

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover was a testament to luxury and ruggedness, a combination that had defined the brand since its inception. Originating from the rugged Series I off-roader, the Range Rover evolved into a luxury SUV with stout 4x4 underpinnings, appealing to wealthy British landowners. By 2012, the current-generation Range Rover was introduced, offering various trims like HSE, Autobiography, and SVAutobiography Dynamic, available in both Standard Wheelbase (SWB) and Long Wheelbase (LWB) configurations. Standard features included leather seating, heated front seats, tri-zone climate control, and a panoramic sunroof, while options ranged from heated rear seats to a 19-speaker Meridian audio system.

In contrast, the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas received a styling refresh, featuring new front and rear bumpers, LED headlights and taillights, and a new grille. The Atlas had a more extroverted look compared to its predecessor, with an R-Line trim package adding sportier aesthetics. Despite these cosmetic changes, the Atlas retained its MQB platform, shared with other VW models. The interior was minimalist, with a standard seven-seat configuration and available second-row captain’s chairs. While the design was functional, material quality was below average, with cheap plastics and simulated trim. The Atlas offered a tall driving position, but forward visibility was limited, and ride quality was poor, especially with larger wheels.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover offered a diverse selection of powertrains, starting with a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine producing 355 horsepower and 365 pound-feet of torque. The HSE trim featured a non-hybrid version of the same engine, delivering 395 hp and 405 lb-ft of torque. A turbodiesel V6 was also available, rated at 254 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque. The P525 and Autobiography trims came with a supercharged 5.0-liter V8, generating 518 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque, while a plug-in hybrid powertrain offered 398 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque with a 19-mile electric range. The SV Autobiography Dynamic trim boasted a 5.0-liter V8 with 557 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. All engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive, providing a blend of power and efficiency. The Range Rover excelled in comfort and off-road capability, with an electronic air suspension and Terrain Response System offering various drive modes for different conditions.

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 engine rated at 276 hp and 266 lb-ft. Both engines were mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, with standard front-wheel drive and optional 4Motion all-wheel drive. The driving experience with the base engine and AWD was underwhelming, with adequate acceleration but rough shifts. Handling was truck-like, and ride quality was poor, with every pavement imperfection felt in the cabin. The Atlas had an Active Control feature with different drive modes, but it lacked a 4WD system with low range, limiting its off-road capability. The VR6 models had a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, while the 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 and the VR6 at 19 mpg combined.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover offered two wheelbase options: LWB and SWB, with standard seating for five. The LWB version provided more cargo space, with 77.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded and 34.5 cubic feet with the seats up. The SWB version had 70.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the seats folded. The Range Rover featured a hands-free power liftgate with a unique two-piece configuration, making it easier to load large items. The interior offered convenient storage compartments, with decently sized cargo compartments and cupholders in the doors.

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 at the expense of second-row legroom, which was the worst among its competitive set. The standard 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 featured a driver-focused layout, with controls placed within easy reach. It offered up to five USB ports and an optional wireless charging pad, along with up to 17 cupholders.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover featured the InControl Touch Pro Duo system, consisting of two touchscreens. The top screen operated navigation, phone, stereo, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, while the lower screen controlled climate settings, seat controls, and Terrain Response settings. The system had a learning curve, with some lag issues, but a volume knob was still available. The Range Rover also came with a fully digital instrument panel and an optional head-up display.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas offered 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 featured Volkswagen’s Digital Cockpit, replacing analog gauges with a 10.3-inch digital display. The Atlas was set to receive VW’s new MIBIII infotainment system later in the model year, with improved features. The base audio system was decent, with a 12-speaker Fender audio system available on higher trims. A built-in 4G LTE WiFi hotspot was new for 2021, supporting up to four devices.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover came with standard safety features like low-speed automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and front-and-rear parking sensors. Optional features included a 360-degree parking camera, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. While the Range Rover had a solid list of standard safety features, some competitors offered more as standard.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas received top ratings in IIHS crash tests, with mixed headlight ratings. The NHTSA hadn’t published ratings for the 2021 model, but the 2020 model received a five-star overall rating. All Atlas trims had standard 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.