2022 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2021 Chevrolet Traverse

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse was a nod to the past, with Chevy using styling details to give each trim level its own identity. The exterior was a typical SUV design with a tall roof, chunky wheel arches, and a big grille, which appealed to many buyers. However, it lacked the personality of the Ford Explorer and Kia Telluride, and the streamlined appearance of the Mazda CX-9. The Traverse's restrained styling highlighted the cosmetic elements of different trims, such as blacked-out trim on the RS model and chrome on the High Country. The interior followed the same restrained styling, with an optional Dual SkyScape two-panel sunroof as a standout feature. Materials in the higher-level RS model were decent but not quite up to the $50,000 MSRP.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas carried over with minor modifications from the previous year, simplifying the lineup to six trim levels. Pricing ranged from $34,355 to $51,505, with our test vehicle costing $53,790. The SEL Premium had standard R-Line design elements, including 21-inch wheels that enhanced its upscale look. The interior was simple yet premium, but the use of hard, shiny plastics was disappointing for a nearly $54,000 SUV. The Atlas offered a roomy and comfortable interior, with the ability to seat seven adults comfortably. However, the unlined storage areas caused unwanted noise, and the cargo space was exceptional, with up to 96.8 cubic feet available.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse was powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. While the V6 didn't feel particularly strong off the line, it provided ample power for highway merging and overtaking. The nine-speed automatic performed well overall, though it occasionally had rough shifts. The Traverse excelled in highway road manners, offering a quiet cabin and comfortable ride. However, it lacked agility on twisty roads, partly due to its AWD system, which required manual activation and could send up to 50% of torque to either front wheel or 85% to either rear wheel. The Traverse had a 5,000-pound towing capacity, which was average for the segment.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas offered a standard turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The turbo-four had a maximum towing capacity of 2,000 pounds and an EPA fuel economy rating of 22-23 mpg. The optional 3.6-liter V6 engine produced 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, with a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. The V6's acceleration was leisurely, and the drivetrain had a gritty feel. Fuel economy estimates were 19-20 mpg, with our test result at 19.6 mpg. The Atlas offered various driving modes and an AWD system with Active Control calibrations. The ride quality was generally comfortable, but the 21-inch wheels transmitted bumps to the cabin, and the suspension tuning led to added body float on undulating pavement.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse offered seating for seven or eight, with above-average headroom and legroom in all three rows. Heated front seats were standard on the RS model, with ventilated front seats and heated outboard rear seats available on higher trims. The Traverse excelled in cargo space, offering 23.0 cubic feet with all seats in place, 57.8 cubic feet with the third row stowed, and 98.2 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. A power liftgate was optional on the LT Cloth trim and standard on higher trims. However, interior storage options were limited, making it less practical than a minivan for carrying lots of people or cargo.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas no longer offered cloth seats, with V-Tex leatherette seating standard. Heated front seats and a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat were standard, with higher trims adding features like tri-zone automatic climate control, ambient cabin lighting, and a panoramic sunroof. The Atlas excelled in interior space, comfortably seating seven adults, with a low step-in height for easy access. Cargo space was also exceptional, with 20.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 55.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 96.8 cubic feet with the second row folded. However, unlined storage areas caused unwanted noise.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and Bluetooth. Higher trims offered an 8-inch touchscreen, navigation, 4G-LTE WiFi hotspot, and a Bose 10-speaker audio system. The 8-inch screen in the RS model was user-friendly, with large icons and analog controls for audio and climate. The Traverse also featured a rearview camera mirror and an optional HD surround-view camera system. Each row had two USB ports, but wireless phone charging was only standard on the Premier and High Country models.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas included the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrument cluster as standard, with an 8-inch display on lower trims and a 10.25-inch display on higher trims. The SE trim had a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims featured the MIB3 infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging, and SiriusXM 360L satellite radio. Car-Net connected services were available in three plans, with additional features like natural voice recognition and internet radio. The Atlas also had five additional USB ports and a 12-speaker Fender premium sound system on the SEL Premium R-Line. However, the infotainment system was slow to load, and tuning the radio was cumbersome. The navigation system had mixed results, making Apple CarPlay or Android Auto a better option.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse received top "Good" scores in all crash tests from the IIHS, with a "Superior" rating for front-crash prevention. However, it received "Acceptable" and "Poor" headlight ratings and an "Acceptable" rating for LATCH child-seat anchor ease of use. The NHTSA gave the Traverse a five-star overall safety rating, with four stars in frontal and rollover crash tests and five stars in side-impact crash tests. Chevy offered less standard driver-assist tech than competitors, with features like adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist only available on higher trims.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas offered a comprehensive list of safety features, including automatic post-collision braking, Front Assist, Side Assist, and Rear Traffic Alert. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control, parking sensors, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and Travel Assist. The SEL trim also had brighter LED headlights with automatic high beams and an adaptive front lighting system. The SEL Premium R-Line included a surround-view camera system and Park Assist technology. However, the parking sensors and Lane Assist had some issues, and the Atlas did not earn a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS. The NHTSA gave it four-star ratings for frontal-impact tests.