2021 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2021 BMW X5

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas underwent a styling refresh that included new front and rear bumpers, standard LED headlights and taillights, and a new grille design. These changes extended the Atlas by 2.4 inches, giving it a more extroverted appearance compared to the previous model. The R-Line trim added sportier elements like side skirts and unique bumpers. Despite these updates, the Atlas maintained its MQB platform, which is shared with other VW models like the Jetta and Golf. The interior of the Atlas was minimalist, with a focus on functionality over decorative elements. However, the material quality, especially in the mid-level SE with Technology trim, was below average, with cheap-feeling plastics and faux wood and metal trim.

The 2021 BMW X5 was a testament to BMW's high-quality craftsmanship, maintaining the brand's signature design elements like the kidney grille and adaptive LED headlights. The X5's exterior was available in different trims, including the sporty M Sport styling, which featured body-color matched elements and high-gloss black accents. Inside, the X5's design was consistent with other BMW models, featuring a mix of leather and soft-touch materials. The M Sport models offered unique interior styling, including an M sports steering wheel and exclusive trim strips. Despite the abundance of black plastic, the interior was well-crafted, though it collected dust easily.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas offered two engine options: a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four producing 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.6-liter VR6 engine with 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive standard and 4Motion all-wheel drive optional. The driving experience with the base engine and AWD was underwhelming, with adequate acceleration but rough shifts. Handling was truck-like, and the ride quality was poor, with every road imperfection felt in the cabin. The Atlas had a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds with the VR6 engine, but only 2,000 pounds with the four-cylinder engine. Fuel economy was unimpressive, with the four-cylinder engine achieving 22 mpg combined with FWD and the VR6 engine getting 19 mpg combined with FWD.

The 2021 BMW X5 offered a range of powertrain options, all paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base X5 sDrive40i/xDrive40i featured a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with 335 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque. The X5 M50i came with a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 producing 523 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque, while the X5 M offered up to 617 horsepower with the Competition Package. The X5 xDrive45e plug-in hybrid model delivered 389 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque, with up to 30 miles of all-electric range. The X5's driving dynamics were not as engaging as other BMW models, with steering issues at low and high speeds. However, the cabin was quiet, and the suspension absorbed road imperfections well. The X5 xDrive45e achieved 50 MPGe when using both electricity and gas, while other models required premium gasoline and had varying fuel efficiency.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas was designed as a family hauler, offering three rows of seating with a standard configuration of seven seats. It provided 96.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the front seats and 20.6 cubic feet with all seats up. The Atlas offered more third-row legroom than most competitors, but at the expense of second-row legroom. The second-row bench seat was uncomfortable, with thin cushions. The Atlas featured a tall driving position, but forward visibility was limited. It came with standard ultrasonic parking sensors and optional low-speed automatic braking and active park assist. The interior controls were logically laid out, with up to five USB ports and an optional wireless charging pad.

The 2021 BMW X5 made good use of space, with comfortable seating for short trips. The front seats became hard after extended periods, but heated seats and armrests worked well. The rear seats were spacious for kids and two adults, with an available third row. The X5's climate controls were easy to manage, and the split liftgate was convenient for loading cargo. The X5 xDrive45e offered slightly less cargo space than the traditional X5, but the difference was negligible for most buyers. The vehicle height adjustment button on the liftgate was helpful for loading heavy cargo.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas came with Bluetooth and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. The base S trim had a 6.5-inch infotainment touchscreen, while other models featured an 8-inch screen. Higher trims offered Volkswagen’s Digital Cockpit, a 10.3-inch reconfigurable digital display. The Atlas was set to receive VW’s new MIBIII infotainment system later in the year, which included multi-phone pairing and improved voice recognition. The base audio system was decent, with a 12-speaker Fender audio system available on higher trims. A built-in 4G LTE WiFi hotspot was new for 2021, supporting up to four devices.

The 2021 BMW X5 featured a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The standard features included a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, a 10-speaker sound system, voice recognition, Bluetooth, five USB ports, navigation, HD Radio, satellite radio, automatic climate control, and a panoramic moonroof. Optional upgrades included remote start, a head-up display, quad-zone climate control, a wireless smartphone charger, massaging seats, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and premium audio systems. The BMW iDrive system required some acclimation but was user-friendly once familiar.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas received top "good" ratings in all IIHS crash tests, with a "marginal" rating for child-seat anchors and mixed headlight ratings. The NHTSA had not published ratings for the 2021 model, but the 2020 model received a five-star overall rating. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring, with adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist available on higher trims. The Atlas was set to receive more advanced driver aids later in the year, including Travel Assist and Emergency Assist.

The 2021 BMW X5 came with a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure warning. The Driving Assistance Professional Package offered adaptive cruise control with stop and go functionality, but it had issues with reacting to stopped traffic and lane markings. The X5 received nearly all "Good" ratings from the IIHS and a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, despite being the subject of seven recalls.