2021 Lexus RX vs 2022 Volkswagen Atlas

The 2021 Lexus RX showcased a modern design aesthetic with its large grille, angular headlamps, shapely body, and floating roof. Inside, it featured sumptuous seating with perforated leather upholstery, though the center console design was considered bland and dated. Lexus offered the RX in five variants, including the performance-focused RX F Sport and the extended-body RXL with a third row of seating. The 2021 model retained the elongated headlights and redesigned front end introduced in 2020, which aimed to address previous criticisms. Standard exterior features included 18-inch aluminum wheels, LED lighting, and rear privacy glass, with available upgrades like 20-inch wheels and triple-beam LED headlights. The F Sport Appearance package added unique styling elements and performance dampers. The interior boasted standard features such as NuLuxe-trimmed seats and a power tilt/telescoping steering wheel, with available upgrades like semi-aniline leather upholstery and heated second-row seats.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas carried over with minor modifications from the previous year, simplifying its lineup to six trim levels. Pricing ranged from $34,355 to $51,505, with our test vehicle, an SEL Premium R-Line, priced at $53,790. The SEL Premium featured R-Line design elements, including 21-inch wheels that enhanced its upscale look. The Atlas's interior was praised for its simplicity and premium flair, though some materials were criticized for their low cost and hard, shiny surfaces. The SUV's storage areas lacked linings, leading to unwanted noise and vibration. Despite these drawbacks, the Atlas offered a spacious and comfortable interior, with ample room for passengers and cargo.

The 2021 Lexus RX, RXL, and RX F-Sport were powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The front-wheel-drive RX 350 achieved an EPA rating of 20 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined, while the all-wheel-drive versions saw slightly lower fuel economy. The RX Hybrid and RXL Hybrid models combined a 3.5-liter V6 with three electric motors, delivering 308 horsepower and achieving up to 31 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. The RX's suspension and handling were improved for 2020, offering a more dynamic driving experience, though some body roll was noted at higher speeds. The F Sport Handling package added adaptive variable suspension and other performance enhancements. The RX's acceleration was respectable, with a 0-60 mph time of 7.7 to 7.9 seconds, depending on the drivetrain.

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 maximum towing capacity was 2,000 pounds, with an EPA rating of 22-23 mpg combined. The optional 3.6-liter V6 engine, producing 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, was available on higher trims and offered a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. However, the V6's acceleration was leisurely, and its fuel economy was lower at 19-20 mpg combined. The Atlas featured multiple driving modes and an optional 4Motion all-wheel-drive system with Active Control calibrations. The SEL Premium R-Line's 21-inch wheels provided impressive grip but resulted in a busy ride and noticeable road noise. The Atlas's handling was sound, but an adaptive-damping suspension option was needed for better control on undulating pavement.

The 2021 Lexus RX was a highly functional SUV, seating five in the two-row RX 350, RX F-Sport, and RX 450h, and six or seven in the three-row RXL and RXL Hybrid. Front and second-row seating offered ample space, while the third row was tight. Cargo space in the two-row RX was 18.4 cubic feet behind the second row and 56.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. The three-row versions provided 7.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 23 cubic feet behind the second row, and 58.5 cubic feet with both rows folded. A power liftgate was standard, with a hands-free option available.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas excelled in interior space and comfort, seating seven adults comfortably, even in the third row. The step-in height was low, making entry and exit easy. The Atlas SE with Technology added tri-zone automatic climate control, while the SEL trim included ambient lighting, an eight-way power-adjustable front passenger seat, and a panoramic sunroof. The SEL Premium R-Line featured genuine leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated second-row seats. Cargo space was 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 both rows folded. The power tailgate could be operated via the remote key fob or by waggling a foot under the bumper.

The 2021 Lexus RX came standard with dual-zone automatic climate control, keyless entry, an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, voice recognition, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, satellite radio, HD Radio, a WiFi hotspot, six USB ports, and a nine-speaker sound system. Available upgrades included a 12.3-inch touchscreen, additional USB ports, a moonroof, a panoramic roof, wireless charging, navigation, a 12-speaker audio system, and a 15-speaker Mark Levinson surround-sound system. The touchpad controller for the infotainment system was functional but took up valuable center console space. The RX did not offer wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas featured 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 Atlas SE had a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and two USB ports. Higher trims included the MIB3 infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and Car-Net connected services with Amazon Alexa integration. The MyVW smartphone app provided access to Car-Net services, roadside assistance, and maintenance scheduling. The SEL Premium R-Line had a 12-speaker Fender premium sound system. However, the infotainment system was slow to load, and tuning the radio was cumbersome. Voice recognition required a subscription for natural language processing.

The 2021 Lexus RX received the IIHS Top Safety Pick designation, scoring Good marks on crashworthiness tests. The RXL and RXL Hybrid were not tested by IIHS. The NHTSA rated the RX 350, RX 350L, and RX 450h with four out of five stars overall and five stars for side-impact crashworthiness. Standard safety features included a rearview camera, 10 airbags, enhanced vehicle stability control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Lexus Safety System+ 2.0, which included a pre-collision system, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian and cyclist detection, automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, lane-trace assist, and road sign assist. The RX had two complete sets of LATCH connectors in the rear outboard seats.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas offered a comprehensive list of safety features, including automatic post-collision braking, Front Assist, Side Assist, and Rear Traffic Alert. The SE with Technology added adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and front and rear parking sensors with low-speed automatic braking. The SEL trim included the full IQ Drive suite with lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, Travel Assist, and Emergency Assist. The SEL Premium R-Line had Area View (a surround-view camera system) and Park Assist technology. However, the parking sensors could be overly sensitive, and the Lane Assist technology sometimes misinterpreted road markings. The Atlas did not earn a Top Safety Pick rating from IIHS and received four-star ratings for frontal-impact tests from NHTSA.