2021 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2021 Honda Passport

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas received a styling refresh that included new front and rear bumpers, standard LED headlights and taillights, 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 2020 model. The R-Line trim package added sportier-looking front and rear bumpers, as well as side skirts. Despite these cosmetic updates, 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, the 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 Honda Passport, essentially a shortened version of the Pilot, featured a spacious interior with high-quality materials. The Passport's dash layout was visually identical to that of the Pilot, including the awkward "button shifter" design. Trim levels for the Passport included Sport, EX-L, Touring, and Elite, each adding more features such as leather upholstery, power moonroof, and advanced audio systems. The Passport's interior was designed for comfort and functionality, with plenty of headroom and legroom in the rear seats, which also reclined and slid for added convenience. The Passport's interior was well-equipped with features like a power liftgate and hands-free power liftgate on higher trims.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas offered two engine options: a standard 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four producing 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.6-liter VR6 engine rated at 276 hp and 266 lb-ft. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with standard front-wheel drive (FWD) or optional 4Motion all-wheel drive (AWD). The driving experience with the base 2.0-liter engine and AWD was underwhelming, with adequate acceleration but rough shifts and poor ride quality. The Atlas had a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds with the VR6 engine and 2,000 pounds with the four-cylinder engine. Fuel economy for the four-cylinder models was rated at 22 mpg combined with FWD, while VR6 models were rated at 19 mpg combined with FWD.

The 2021 Honda Passport came standard with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Passport offered strong acceleration and a well-managed power delivery. The ride quality was a blend of comfort and refined handling, with 8.1 inches of ground clearance and AWD models featuring Intelligent Traction Management with Snow, Sand, and Mud drive modes. The Passport had a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds with FWD and 5,000 pounds with AWD. The engine's stop-start system could be abrupt, but it could be turned off with a switch.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas was designed as a family hauler with three rows of seats. It offered 96.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the front seats and 20.6 cubic feet with all seats up. The Atlas provided more third-row legroom than most competitors but had the worst second-row legroom in its class. The second-row bench seat was uncomfortable with thin, flat cushions. The Atlas featured a tall driving position, but forward visibility was less than optimal. It had up to five USB ports and an optional wireless charging pad, along with up to 17 cupholders.

The 2021 Honda Passport provided 100.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 50.5 cubic feet with the second row in use. An additional 2.5 cubic feet of under-floor storage was available. The EX-L trim and higher included a power liftgate, with hands-free power liftgate on Touring and Elite trims. The Passport's upright seating position offered excellent visibility and a commanding view of the road. The center console featured a deep bin and an open cargo tray, with deep in-door pockets for water bottles and other items. The rear seats offered plenty of headroom and legroom, and they both reclined and slid for added comfort.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas came with Bluetooth and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone compatibility. The base S trim had a 6.5-inch infotainment touchscreen, while other models had an 8-inch screen. Higher trims featured 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 model year, which included multi-phone pairing capability and improved voice recognition. The base six-speaker 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.

The 2021 Honda Passport made Android Auto and Apple CarPlay standard, included with the newly-standard 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. However, the Passport's infotainment system had dated graphics, a confusing menu layout, and a volume dial that felt like an afterthought. Despite these shortcomings, the inclusion of smartphone connectivity features as standard was a significant advantage.

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 gave the 2020 model 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 sophisticated driver aids later in the model year, including Travel Assist and Emergency Assist.

The 2021 Honda Passport came well-equipped with advanced safety features such as automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Passport received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and top "Good" scores in most IIHS crash tests, with "Acceptable" ratings for headlights and child-seat anchor ease of use.