2022 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2021 Subaru Forester

The 2021 Subaru Forester, despite its 2019 redesign, retained a somewhat dated appearance, largely carrying over from its previous generation. The most noticeable change was the distinctive cross-shaped taillights. Subaru seemed to follow the adage, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it," maintaining the boxy, upright shape that appealed to many SUV shoppers. The Base trim level appeared plain with 17-inch steel wheels, but the Forester's clean and unpretentious look stood out among compact crossovers. The Sport model added orange striping, a rear spoiler, and black 18-inch alloy wheels, which made a significant visual impact, especially with complementary paint colors like Dark Blue Pearl.

Underneath, the Forester shared the Subaru Global Platform with other models like the Impreza and Outback. The interior was practical, with materials designed to withstand years of use. The Sport trim added orange accents, while higher trims offered leather upholstery and heated features. The Forester's interior was functional, with large knobs for audio and climate control, though the steering wheel's numerous buttons could be confusing.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas, following significant updates in 2021, saw minor modifications and a simplified lineup. The Atlas offered a range of trims from SE to SEL Premium R-Line, with most models featuring more standard equipment than before. Pricing ranged from $34,355 to $51,505, with our test vehicle, an SEL Premium R-Line, costing $53,790. The SEL Premium had standard R-Line design elements, including 21-inch wheels that enhanced its upscale look. The Atlas's big and boxy design was appealing, though some wheel choices didn't match its bold styling.

Inside, the Atlas's design was simple yet premium, though some materials felt cheap. The interior was spacious and comfortable, with seating for seven and a low step-in height. The Atlas excelled in comfort, with numerous storage areas, though many were unlined, causing items to slide and make noise. Cargo space was exceptional, with up to 96.8 cubic feet available with the second and third rows folded down.

The 2021 Subaru Forester featured a single powertrain: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The engine's boxer configuration provided a lower center of gravity. The Forester had a 1,500-pound towing capacity and standard Trailer Stability Assist. While adequate for most situations, the engine lacked the desired thrust for highway merging and overtaking, and wind noise was noticeable at higher speeds.

The Forester's suspension was tuned for comfort, resulting in a soft ride with significant body roll in corners and bounce on uneven pavement. All-wheel drive (AWD) was standard, with a sophisticated drivetrain featuring X-Mode for different surfaces. Sport models had Dual X-Mode with "Snow/Dirt" and "Snow/Mud" modes. Higher trims included hill-descent control and 8.7 inches of ground clearance, making the Forester capable on rough terrain, though not as off-road-ready as some competitors.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas offered two engine options. The base turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine produced 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, requiring premium fuel for maximum output. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, it had a 2,000-pound towing capacity and fuel economy of 22-23 mpg combined. The 3.6-liter V6 engine, standard on higher trims, produced 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, with a 5,000-pound towing capacity and 19-20 mpg combined. The V6's performance was adequate but lacked refinement and efficiency.

The Atlas featured Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual driving modes, with 4Motion AWD offering additional calibrations. Ground clearance was 7.1 inches for the turbocharged model and 7.5 inches for the V6. The Atlas's ride quality varied, with the SEL Premium R-Line's 21-inch wheels providing grip but transmitting bumps to the cabin. The suspension felt softer than previous models, but body float was noticeable on undulating pavement. The Atlas's handling was sound, but an adaptive-damping suspension would improve ride control.

The 2021 Subaru Forester offered above-average headroom and legroom in both rows, thanks to its tall, flat roof. This design also provided excellent outward visibility and a roomy feel, though it let in a lot of sunlight. Cargo space was generous, with 35.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 76.1 cubic feet with them folded. The Forester lacked a sliding second-row bench but offered a power liftgate on higher trims. Interior storage was practical, though the phone cubby was small, and wireless charging was unavailable. The center console was reasonably sized, and the large knobs for audio and climate control were user-friendly.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas excelled in interior space and comfort, seating seven adults comfortably. The step-in height was low, and rear side-window sunshades were available. The Atlas offered numerous storage areas, though many were unlined, causing items to slide and make noise. 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 the second row down. The power tailgate was convenient, and the Atlas's cargo space was larger than many competitors.

The 2021 Subaru Forester came with the Subaru Starlink infotainment system, featuring a 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, and front-row USB ports. Higher trims added an 8-inch touchscreen, Harman Kardon audio, navigation, and rear USB ports. The system was user-friendly, with well-designed graphics and physical shortcut buttons, though the screen was slow to boot up. Additional screens displayed secondary information, but the setup felt overly complex.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas included the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrument cluster, with an 8-inch display standard and a 10.25-inch display on higher trims. The Atlas SE had a 6.5-inch touchscreen with basic features, while higher trims featured the MIB3 infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging, SiriusXM 360L, and Car-Net connected services. The user experience was mixed, with a slow-loading system and a complicated tuning process. Voice recognition required a subscription for natural commands, and the navigation system was hit-or-miss. The Atlas included five additional USB ports and a 12-speaker Fender sound system on higher trims.

The 2021 Subaru Forester excelled in safety, earning the highest "Top Safety Pick+" award from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included the EyeSight suite with adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lead-vehicle start alert. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear-cross traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and reverse automatic braking. The Forester's driver-monitoring system, DriverFocus, was unique among mainstream brands.

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, Travel Assist, Emergency Assist, and adaptive front lighting. The Atlas's crash-test ratings were decent but not class-leading, with four-star ratings for frontal impacts from the NHTSA.