2021 Jeep Wrangler vs 2021 Volkswagen Atlas

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 shared with the Atlas Cross Sport model. These changes added 2.4 inches to its length, giving the Atlas a more extroverted appearance compared to its predecessor. The R-Line trim package further enhanced its sporty look with unique bumpers and side skirts. Despite these cosmetic updates, the Atlas retained its MQB platform, which it shared with other VW models like the Jetta and Golf. The interior of the Atlas was minimalist, with a focus on functionality, offering a standard seven-seat configuration across three rows. However, the material quality, particularly in the mid-level SE with Technology trim, was below average, with cheap-feeling plastics and faux wood and metal trim.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler maintained its iconic styling, characterized by circular headlights, a seven-slat grille, and exposed bolts and hinges. The Wrangler's design was unmistakable, and it offered various configurations, including painted or exposed fenders and soft or hard tops. The Wrangler was not known for comfort, with an upright seating position and limited legroom, but it exuded charm for the right driver. The Wrangler Unlimited came in several trims, including the Sport, Sport S, Sahara, and Rubicon, each offering different features and capabilities. The Rubicon 392 stood out with its powerful Hemi V8 engine and off-road enhancements, making it a formidable off-road vehicle.

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 with 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive as standard and optional 4Motion all-wheel drive. The Atlas's driving experience was underwhelming, with adequate acceleration but rough shifts and truck-like handling. The ride quality was poor, with occupants feeling every road imperfection. The Atlas had an Offroad mode and eight inches of ground clearance, but it was best suited for pavement due to its lack of a 4WD system with low range. The VR6 models had a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, while the four-cylinder models were limited to 2,000 pounds. Fuel economy was unimpressive, with the four-cylinder engine achieving 22 mpg combined with FWD and the VR6 models getting 19 mpg combined with FWD.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered a diverse powertrain lineup, including a standard 3.6-liter V6 engine with 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, available with a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission. Other options included a mild-hybrid eTorque variant, a 270-hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine, and a 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 with 260 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque. The Wrangler featured three 4WD systems: Command-Trac, Select-Trac, and Rock-Trac, with the latter offering front-and-rear locking differentials and a disconnecting front sway bar for off-roading. The Rubicon 392 boasted a 6.4-liter V8 engine with 470 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque, turning the Wrangler into an off-road powerhouse. The 392 also featured a beefed-up frame, a 2-inch lift with Fox shock absorbers, and a dual-mode performance exhaust.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas was designed as a family hauler, offering three rows of seating and a total of 96.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the seats folded down. It provided more third-row legroom than most competitors, but at the expense of second-row legroom, which was the worst in its class. The second-row bench seat was uncomfortable, with thin cushions. The Atlas featured a straightforward folding mechanism for the second and third rows, and access to the third row was relatively easy. The interior controls were logically laid out, with up to five USB ports and an optional wireless charging pad. The Atlas had a tall driving position, but forward visibility was limited. Parking sensors and low-speed automatic braking were standard, with active park assist available on higher trims.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered various top options, including the zipper-less Sunrider soft-top, a premium black cloth soft top, and the Freedom hardtop with removable panels. The Rubicon 392 featured the Sky one-touch power top, allowing for easy open-air driving. The Wrangler's cabin was functional, with a small center console bin, glovebox, and in-door cargo nets. It also had drain plugs for easy cleaning. The Wrangler Unlimited provided 31.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and up to 72.4 cubic feet with the seats folded. However, the wheel-wells and roll-bars made it challenging to fit larger items.

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, replacing analog gauges with a 10.3-inch digital display. The Atlas was set to receive the MIBIII infotainment system later in the year, adding 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 Jeep Wrangler's Sport trim had a basic 5-inch screen, but a 7-inch Uconnect screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto was available on the Sport S and standard on other trims. An 8.4-inch Uconnect screen was also an option, offering crisp graphics and intuitive controls. The Rubicon 392 featured a color TFT screen in the instrument panel and an off-road camera nestled in the front grille, providing a clear view of the trail ahead.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas received top "good" ratings in all IIHS crash tests, except for 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 Jeep Wrangler offered optional modern driver-assistance features like forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. However, lane-departure warning was not available. The Wrangler came with a backup camera with dynamic guidelines and a live tire-pressure monitoring system, useful for off-roading.