2021 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2021 Honda Pilot

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas had a fresh, bold look with a new styling refresh. It included updated front and rear bumpers, standard LED headlights and taillights, and a new grille taken from the two-row Atlas Cross Sport model. These changes added 2.4 inches to its length, giving the Atlas a more dynamic and extroverted presence compared to the previous model year. The R-Line trim package further enhanced its sporty appeal with distinct front and rear bumpers and side skirts. Though the Atlas sported a drag coefficient of 0.34, it remained a somewhat boxy, high-riding utility vehicle.

Cosmetically, it still rode on the trusty MQB platform used across many of Volkswagen's models, proving its versatility. The S and SE trims had 18-inch alloy wheels, while SE with Technology and higher models sported 20-inch wheels. The R-Line package for SEL and SEL Premium trims even showcased 21-inch wheels. The minimalist interior showcased a functional, driver-focused design, although the material quality left something to be desired, especially noted in the mid-level SE with Technology trim.

The 2021 Honda Pilot aimed to solve the styling puzzle by giving the SUV a more rugged appearance with a 2019 refresh and a blacked-out look in the 2020 Black Edition. This design, while practical, was more of an acquired taste. The Pilot came in seven trims, starting from the base LX to the upscale Black Edition, with prices ranging from $32,250 to $49,920. Front-wheel drive was standard across the trims, with an option for all-wheel drive except on the Elite and Black Edition, where AWD was standard.

The newly introduced Special Edition added black 20-inch alloy wheels, wireless smartphone charging, and a hands-free power tailgate. The Black Edition even offered an upscale touch with exclusive black leather upholstery, red-tinted perforated seat inserts, and distinctive ambient lighting. The Pilot's interior materials were of high quality, and it retained a practical minivan-like feel in terms of front-seat space and visibility, although some might find its exterior design a bit dull.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas was equipped with two engine choices: a standard 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four that produced 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque on premium fuel, and an optional 3.6-liter VR6 engine that churned out 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, with a choice of front-wheel or 4Motion all-wheel drive. The 4Motion system was designed to default to front-wheel drive to save fuel but could shift power to the rear wheels as needed.

Despite the promising specs, driving the Atlas with the 2.0-liter engine and AWD was underwhelming, with adequate acceleration but rough transmission shifts. Its multilink independent rear suspension still gave off a truck-like handling vibe, and the ride quality was rigid, amplifying every bump and pothole. While the Atlas had some off-road abilities with its 8-inch ground clearance and different driving modes, it was best suited for on-road driving.

In comparison, the 2021 Honda Pilot housed a robust 3.5-liter V6 engine delivering 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, it provided a smooth and refined driving experience. The Pilot's optional torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system could channel up to 70% of engine output to a single rear wheel, enhancing handling and traction.

Fuel-saving features like variable-cylinder management and automatic engine stop/start helped the Pilot achieve an EPA rating of 22 mpg combined for AWD models. Its MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspensions delivered a balance of comfort and responsiveness, surprising with its athletic handling. The Pilot's seven different driving modes, including Snow, Mud, and Sand, underscored its versatility, although its 7.3-inch ground clearance limited serious off-road attempts.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas was a competent family hauler with three rows of seating, catering to those who preferred an SUV over a minivan. It had an interior space of 96.8 cubic feet behind the front seats and 20.6 cubic feet with all seats up. While it boasted ample third-row legroom, it skimped on second-row legroom, which was the worst among its competitors. The second-row bench seat was also uncomfortable, with thin cushions. On the positive side, the seats were easy to fold and unfold, and third-row access via a sliding second-row bench was straightforward.

The Atlas had an intuitive, driver-focused layout with easy-to-reach controls. USB ports were available across the first and second rows, and a wireless charging pad was standard on higher trims. The Atlas also offered up to 17 cupholders, making it a practical choice for family outings. However, while it allowed for a tall driving position, forward visibility was less than ideal, mitigated somewhat by standard ultrasonic parking sensors.

The 2021 Honda Pilot, on the other hand, supported up to eight passengers, and the Black Edition's leather-wrapped, heated, and ventilated front seats provided comfort and support. With second-row captain's chairs available in higher trims, the Pilot ensured near-equal comfort for second-row passengers. The third row, though decent by midsize SUV standards, fell short for adult comfort on longer trips.

The Pilot excelled in storage solutions, with strategically placed spaces throughout the cabin, including an expansive center console. Cargo space was practical, with 16.5 cubic feet behind the third-row seat, expanding to 46.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 83.9 cubic feet with both rows down.

Volkswagen equipped all 2021 Atlas models with Bluetooth and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. While the base S trim had a 6.5-inch infotainment touchscreen, higher trims featured an 8-inch screen. Additionally, Volkswagen's available Digital Cockpit on upper trims replaced analog gauges with a 10.3-inch reconfigurable digital display. Despite the intuitive menus, the display itself was plain and somewhat difficult to read. A six-speaker audio system was standard, with a 12-speaker Fender audio system available on higher trims. New for this model year was a built-in 4G LTE WiFi hotspot.

The 2021 Honda Pilot came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system on most trims, featuring Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, text-messaging support, satellite radio, and HondaLink connected services. Starting with the Special Edition, wireless phone charging was included, and the Touring trim offered navigation, more extensive HondaLink services, a 10-speaker audio system, and a rear-seat entertainment system.

While the Pilot's infotainment was functional, it could have been more user-friendly. For instance, the system lacked a tuning knob, and the voice-recognition technology was cumbersome. High-end trims featured a Cabin Talk PA system, which allowed the driver to speak to rear-seat passengers through the vehicle's audio system, reducing the need for shouting.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas had quite a reliable safety profile. It received the top "good" rating in all IIHS crash tests but only a "marginal" rating for child-seat anchors and mixed ratings for headlights. Standard headlights were rated "marginal," while upgraded headlights on higher trims rated "good." The NHTSA gave the 2020 Atlas, a structurally similar model, a five-star rating overall. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring, with higher trims offering adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and a traffic-jam assist feature.

Honda Sensing was standard in every 2021 Honda Pilot, encompassing adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. From the EX trim onward, blind-spot monitoring and a rear cross-traffic warning system were also included. Despite using an older version of Honda Sensing, the systems generally worked well, though they lacked the refinement seen in newer ADAS technologies. NHTSA gave the Pilot a five-star overall rating, while IIHS ratings were also favorable, barring an "acceptable" score for front passenger small overlap frontal-impact protection.