2021 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2020 Subaru Ascent

The 2020 Subaru Ascent, resembling a larger Subaru Forester, was designed with practicality and utility in mind. It featured gray plastic cladding for 360-degree protection, an oversized grille, and exaggerated fender flares for a robust appearance. Roof rails and 20-inch aluminum wheels added to its functional design. The base model, starting at $31,995, came with 18-inch wheels and lacked privacy glass. Upgrading to the Premium trim at $34,395 offered better detailing and a superior infotainment system. The Limited trim at $39,345 added leather seats, while the top-tier Touring trim at $45,045 included premium leather, a panoramic sunroof, and luxury enhancements. The test vehicle, a Touring trim painted Abyss Blue Pearl, featured Java Brown leather and third-row quick-charge USB ports, totaling $46,285. The interior was stylish, with quality materials and thoughtful details, making it feel worth the investment. CarGurus recommended the Ascent Premium with additional packages for a similar look to the Touring trim but at a lower price.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas received a styling refresh, including new front and rear bumpers, standard LED headlights and taillights, and a new grille shared with the Atlas Cross Sport model. 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 considered 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. S and SE trims had 18-inch alloy wheels, while higher trims featured 20-inch wheels, and the R-Line package included 21-inch wheels. The interior had a minimalist design with logically laid-out controls. The standard seating configuration was 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 fake trim pieces.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent was equipped with a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), and all-wheel drive (AWD). It produced 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque, providing good acceleration. However, it was a thirsty powertrain, averaging 18.9 mpg during testing, below the EPA estimate of 22 mpg. The Ascent's handling was not particularly engaging, with slow and numb steering and a suspension that struggled with pavement undulations. The CVT, while decent, had issues with power delivery and produced unexpected surges or delays. The shifter felt cheap, and the vehicle rolled significantly when parked on a hill. The Ascent was most comfortable on smooth freeways and performed well off-road, thanks to its AWD system, X-Mode off-road traction system, Hill Descent Control, and 8.7 inches of ground clearance.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas offered two engine options: a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four producing 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 front-wheel drive (FWD) or optional 4Motion all-wheel drive (AWD). The 4Motion system defaulted to FWD 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 an Active Control feature with different drive modes, but it did not improve on-road handling. Despite its off-road features, the Atlas was better suited to pavement. 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 models rated at 22 mpg combined and the VR6 models at 19 mpg combined.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent offered comfort, especially in the Touring trim with soft leather, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The driver’s seat was 10-way power-adjustable with a manual thigh support extension. The front seats had significant track travel, making the Ascent appealing to tall people. The dashboard featured a useful shelf and upscale ambient lighting, though the controls appeared dated. Storage options included a center bin, door panel bins, and a glove compartment. The Ascent could be configured with a second-row bench seat or captain’s chairs, with the latter available on Premium and Limited trims. The third-row seat was relatively comfortable, with easy access and acceptable space for shorter trips. Cargo space was 17.8 cubic feet behind the third row, 47 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 86 cubic feet with the second row folded.

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 seats was straightforward, and third-row access was easy thanks to a sliding second-row bench. The controls were logically laid out and within easy reach of the driver. The Atlas had up to five USB ports and an optional wireless charging pad. It also featured up to 17 cupholders. The tall driving position provided a commanding view, but forward visibility was less than optimal. Parking sensors and low-speed automatic braking were standard, with active park assist available on higher trims.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent came with a Starlink infotainment system, including Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, HD Radio, and a CD player. Premium trim and above featured an 8-inch touchscreen, text-messaging capability, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and Starlink Safety and Security connected services. The Touring trim added a high-resolution screen and navigation. The infotainment system had stereo knobs and separate climate controls, but the voice-control system was outdated and unresponsive. The navigation system had issues with accuracy during testing. Bluetooth pairing and music streaming were easy, and the Harman Kardon speakers provided rich sound quality. The Ascent Touring offered a 180-degree front camera view and a 180-degree rear camera view, but lacked a 360-degree view camera and front parking sensors. The PIN Code Vehicle Access system allowed owners to lock the key fob inside the vehicle while engaging in outdoor activities.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas featured Bluetooth and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. The base S trim had a 6.5-inch 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 the MIBIII infotainment system later in the model year, with multi-phone pairing, improved voice recognition, and a redesigned navigation system. The SE with Technology test car had the 8-inch screen, which was easy to navigate but plain and text-heavy. 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. The Atlas also had a built-in 4G LTE WiFi hotspot supporting up to four devices, with service provided by Verizon.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent was built on Subaru’s latest global platform, designed for exceptional occupant protection. It received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The EyeSight system included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Premium trim added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while Limited trim included LED steering-responsive headlights and reverse automatic braking. The EyeSight Assist Monitor projected lights onto the windshield to indicate system status. The Ascent also had a rear-seat reminder system and Starlink Safety Plus connected services, which included automatic collision notification, SOS emergency calling, and roadside assistance. The Security Plus upgrade plan offered remote engine start with climate control.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas received top ratings in all IIHS crash tests, except for a “marginal” rating for child-seat anchors and mixed headlight ratings. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (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. 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 for automated lane centering and Emergency Assist to stop the car if the driver was incapacitated.