2021 Ford Explorer vs 2022 Volkswagen Atlas

The 2021 Ford Explorer was part of Ford's strategic lineup of SUVs, each bearing a familial resemblance with their "E" names. This approach harkened back to the 1950s, aiming to keep customers loyal to the brand as they moved up the price ladder. The Explorer's exterior was appealing, though it could be mistaken for the Edge at a quick glance. It featured sporty, raked belt lines and distinctive visages. The Explorer offered six trim levels, each with varying grille designs and price points ranging from $32,925 to $52,730. Inside, it provided three rows of seating as standard, with cloth upholstery on the base model. The dashboard was clean, featuring an 8-inch LCD touchscreen and a rotary gearshift that maximized storage space. The XLT trim was the most popular, offering better equipment and finishes, while leather upholstery was available from the mid-tier Limited trim upwards.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas carried over with minor modifications after significant updates in 2021. The lineup was simplified to six trim levels, each offering more standard features than before. Pricing ranged from $34,355 to $51,505, with a $1,195 destination charge. The SEL Premium R-Line trim featured 21-inch wheels and R-Line design elements, enhancing its upscale look. The Atlas was big and boxy, with an appealing design, though some wheel choices didn't match its bold styling. Inside, the Atlas boasted a simple yet premium design, though some materials felt low-cost. The interior was spacious and comfortable, accommodating seven adults with ease. However, unlined storage areas and hard surfaces detracted from the overall quality. Cargo space was exceptional, with up to 96.8 cubic feet available with the seats folded.

The 2021 Ford Explorer, at its lightest, weighed 4,345 pounds. Its base 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivered 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, outperforming some competitors. All trims featured a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Limited Hybrid trim offered a V6 hybrid drivetrain with 310 hp and 331 lb-ft of torque. Higher trims had a 3.0-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6, producing 365 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque, while the Explorer ST offered 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. The Explorer excelled in towing, with capacities ranging from 5,000 to 5,600 pounds, though not exceptional in its class.

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's towing capacity was limited to 2,000 pounds, but it offered better fuel economy than the available V6 engine. The 3.6-liter V6 engine, standard on higher trims, produced 276 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque, with a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. The Atlas featured Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual driving modes, with additional Active Control calibrations for AWD models. The V6 engine lacked refinement, and the Atlas' ride quality varied depending on road conditions. The Atlas was larger than most rivals, with advanced parking assist technology and a semi-autonomous parking feature.

The 2021 Ford Explorer offered seating for seven in the base model, with captain's chairs in higher trims reducing capacity to six. It provided 39 inches of second-row legroom, competitive with other midsize SUVs. With the third row deployed, it offered 21 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 81 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas no longer offered cloth seats, with V-Tex leatherette seating standard. Higher trims added features like tri-zone climate control, ambient lighting, and a panoramic sunroof. The Atlas excelled in interior space, comfortably seating seven adults. Cargo space was impressive, with 20.6 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 96.8 cubic feet with all seats folded. However, unlined storage areas caused unwanted noise.

The 2021 Ford Explorer featured an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G WiFi hotspot. Higher trims offered a 10.1-inch touchscreen and a Bang & Olufsen audio system. Charging options included USB ports and 12-volt power points, with a wireless charging pad available on higher trims.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas included the Digital Cockpit instrument cluster as standard, with an 8-inch display on lower trims and a 10.25-inch display on higher trims. The Atlas SE had a 6.5-inch touchscreen, while other trims featured the MIB3 infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless connectivity, and Car-Net connected services. The user experience was hindered by slow loading times and complex navigation controls. A 12-speaker Fender premium sound system was available on higher trims.

The 2021 Ford Explorer was rated as a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, with top scores in crash tests. It offered the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, lane keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking. Higher trims added features like adaptive cruise control and evasive steering assist.

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 a surround-view camera system. However, the Atlas did not earn a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, and some driver assistance features had issues with false detections and lane markings.