2021 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2021 Buick Enclave

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas received a styling refresh that included new front and rear bumpers, standard LED headlights and taillights with new designs, and a new grille shared with the two-row Atlas Cross Sport model. These changes added 2.4 inches to the length of the Atlas, giving it a more extroverted look compared to the conservatively-styled 2020 model. The R-Line trim package added sportier-looking front and rear bumpers, as well as side skirts. Despite these cosmetic changes, the Atlas still rode on the same MQB platform as before, which is used by most current VW models. The interior of the Atlas took a minimalist approach, with a standard seating configuration of seven seats across three rows. However, material quality on the mid-level SE with Technology trim was below average, with cheap-feeling plastics and simulated wood and metal trim.

The 2021 Buick Enclave, on the other hand, was the largest of four SUVs that Buick sold, and it had a look that could take on premium-priced SUVs. The Avenir trim added extra presence through a unique grille pattern, extra brightwork, and unique 20-inch wheels with a polished finish. Inside, the Enclave Avenir featured organic forms, a minimalist approach to instrumentation and controls, and tasteful polished accents. The seats were soft, perforated, piped, and embroidered leather, imparting a sense of luxury, although the wood trim was not real. The Enclave's simplicity extended to its fussy electronic transmission shifter, which took some getting used to.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas offered two engine options. The standard 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four produced 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque on premium fuel. A 3.6-liter VR6, rated at 276 hp and 266 lb-ft, was available on SE with Technology and higher trim levels. Both engines were coupled to an eight-speed automatic transmission, with standard front-wheel drive (FWD) or optional 4Motion all-wheel drive (AWD). The 4Motion system could send power to the rear wheels when needed. However, the driving experience with the base 2.0-liter engine and AWD was underwhelming, with rough shifts and poor ride quality. The Atlas also had an Active Control feature with different drive modes, but it didn't improve on-road handling. VR6 models could tow up to 5,000 pounds, while four-cylinder models were rated to tow 2,000 pounds. Fuel economy for the Atlas was not impressive, with the 2.0-liter turbo-four getting 22 mpg combined with FWD and 21 mpg combined with AWD, while VR6 models got 19 mpg combined with FWD and 18 mpg combined with AWD.

The 2021 Buick Enclave featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine, a nine-speed automatic transmission, and a choice between FWD and AWD. The V6 generated 310 horsepower at 6,800 rpm and 266 pound-feet of torque at 2,800 rpm. The Enclave's acceleration was strong, and it drove like a smaller SUV despite its size. The nine-speed automatic never got a shift wrong. The Avenir Technology Package equipped the SUV with a premium-tuned suspension with continuously variable damping and automatic emergency braking that worked at highway speeds. The suspension proved its worth in various driving environments, and the Enclave's ride and handling were perfect for a wide variety of driving conditions. The EPA rated the Enclave to get 21 mpg in combined driving, and it had a 21.7-gallon fuel tank, allowing for up to 460 miles on a full tank.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas was designed as a family hauler, offering 96.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the front seats and 20.6 cubic feet with all seats up. It provided more third-row legroom than most competitors, but at the expense of second-row legroom, which was the worst among its competitive set. The second-row bench seat was uncomfortable with thin, flat cushions. The Atlas had a tall driving position, but forward visibility was less than optimal. It featured up to five USB ports, an optional wireless charging pad, and up to 17 cupholders. Ultrasonic parking sensors were standard, with low-speed automatic braking and active park assist available on higher trim levels.

The 2021 Buick Enclave was one of the largest SUVs in its class, offering a roomy and comfortable cabin for six people (seven if you squeeze). The Avenir trim featured a 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat with a basic massaging function, and a 10-way power-adjustable front passenger seat with matching massage. The seats were heated, ventilated, and wrapped in soft leather. The Enclave's third-row seat was genuinely useful, though not as roomy as the Atlas. It offered 23.6 cubic feet of space behind the third-row seat, 58 cubic feet with the third row folded down, and 97.6 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded down. The Enclave's cabin was calm and serene, thanks to Buick's QuietTuning effort, Active Noise Cancellation, and laminated windshield glass.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas came with Bluetooth and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone compatibility. The base S trim level had a 6.5-inch infotainment touchscreen, while other models had an 8-inch screen. Volkswagen's Digital Cockpit was available on higher trim levels, replacing analog gauges with a 10.3-inch reconfigurable digital display. The Atlas was set to get VW's new MIBIII infotainment system later in the 2021 model year, which added multi-phone pairing capability, improved voice recognition, and a redesigned navigation system. The base six-speaker audio system was decent, with a 12-speaker Fender audio system available on SEL and higher trim levels. A built-in 4G LTE WiFi hotspot was new for 2021, supporting up to four devices.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's infotainment technology met basic expectations, with quick response to inputs, good voice recognition, and a simple and logical user interface. Every Enclave came with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, connected services including a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and USB charging ports in all three rows. Upgrades included a premium sound system, navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and a surround-view camera system. However, the Avenir's 8-inch touchscreen display was the biggest one available, and the Enclave didn't offer Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant integration. The 10-speaker Bose sound system was also lacking compared to other SUVs in the segment. The available rear camera mirror showed a live video view of what was behind the Enclave on the rearview mirror.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas received the top "good" rating in all Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) crash tests, but with a "marginal" rating for child-seat anchors and mixed headlight ratings. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the 2020 model a five-star overall rating. Every 2021 Atlas trim level had standard automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring, with adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist available on higher trim levels. The Atlas was set to get more sophisticated driver aids later in the model year, including Travel Assist and Emergency Assist.

The 2021 Buick Enclave needed improvement in its safety systems, as features that came standard on basic models of other brands were restricted to the most expensive Enclave trim levels. The Driver Confidence Plus Package, which included forward-collision warning, low-speed automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more, was standard only on the Premium and Avenir trim levels. Adaptive cruise control with enhanced automatic emergency braking was available only on the Avenir with the optional Avenir Technology Package. The Enclave did not offer lane-centering assistance, rear automatic braking, or self-parking functions. The NHTSA gave the Enclave a five-star overall rating, though frontal-impact protection rated four stars. The IIHS gave high marks across the board, but a Marginal headlight performance rating prevented the SUV from earning a Top Safety Pick accolade.