2022 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was introduced as a smaller sibling to the anticipated Bronco, capturing the rugged spirit of its predecessor while focusing on a more suburban lifestyle. It featured a modern retro design reminiscent of a Land Rover, with short front and rear overhangs for improved off-road capability. The vehicle's exterior was marked by bold "BRONCO" lettering on the grille and tailgate, with minimal Ford branding. Wheel options varied across trims, from 17-inch Sparkle Silver wheels on the Base model to 18-inch Ebony Black-painted wheels on the Outer Banks and Badlands models. Inside, the Bronco Sport offered a rugged yet tasteful interior with a unique design for HVAC vents, an 8-inch infotainment screen, and a rotary gear selector. Interior trim levels ranged from cloth to leather-trimmed seats, with practical features like a rubberized cargo floor and second-row seat protector.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas carried over from the previous year's updates with minor modifications, simplifying its lineup to six trim levels. The SEL Premium R-Line trim featured R-Line design elements, including 21-inch wheels that enhanced its upscale appearance. Despite its bold styling, the Atlas's interior materials were criticized for their low-cost feel, with hard plastics detracting from the overall quality. The interior design was simple yet premium, but the lack of linings in storage areas led to unwanted noise. The Atlas's large size made it easy to maneuver, thanks to cameras and sensors, but its ride quality was mixed, with a busy ride on certain surfaces and a softer, more compliant feel on others.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered two engine options: a 1.5-liter EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder engine with 181 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque for the Base, Big Bend, and Outer Banks trims, and a 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 245 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque for the Badlands and First Edition models. All models featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, with a terrain management system offering up to seven G.O.A.T. modes. The Bronco Sport excelled off-road with its short wheelbase, independent suspension, and generous ground clearance, while also providing a comfortable on-road experience.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas came with a standard turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and available in front-wheel or all-wheel drive. The V6 engine, standard on higher trims, delivered 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, with a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds. The Atlas offered various driving modes, including Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual, with additional calibrations for the 4Motion AWD system. Despite its size, the Atlas's performance was hindered by its lack of power and refinement, with a gritty drivetrain and modest ground clearance.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport catered to active buyers with features like cargo space designed to hold two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes and a catalog of over 100 accessories for outdoor activities. The roof could support up to 150 pounds, and the vehicle offered a towing capacity of up to 2,200 pounds. The cargo area included a flip-up rear glass, a slide-out work table, and a 400-watt inverter. The front cabin provided ample storage compartments, though visibility issues were noted for taller drivers.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas boasted a spacious interior with V-Tex leatherette seating, heated front seats, and a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat as standard. Higher trims added features like tri-zone climate control, ambient lighting, and a panoramic sunroof. The Atlas comfortably seated seven adults, with easy access and numerous storage areas. Cargo space was exceptional, with up to 96.8 cubic feet available with the second and third rows folded down. However, unlined storage areas led to unwanted noise.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with SYNC 3, compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It offered Ford+Alexa, SiriusXM, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Higher trims included a Bang & Olufsen sound system and a 360-degree camera. The terrain management system provided various drive modes, and trail control technology assisted in off-roading. Intelligent access with push-button start was standard on all but the Base model.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas included the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit 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, while other trims featured the MIB3 infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Car-Net connected services. The SEL Premium R-Line offered a 12-speaker Fender sound system. However, the user experience was hindered by slow loading times and a cumbersome interface.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport came with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite, including pre-collision assist, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and a reversing camera. Co-Pilot360 Assist+ added adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and road-sign recognition. All models featured AWD and a terrain management system. Crash ratings were not available from IIHS or NHTSA.

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, lane-keeping assistance, and Emergency Assist. The Atlas received decent crash-test ratings but did not earn a Top Safety Pick from IIHS, with four-star frontal-impact ratings from NHTSA.