2021 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2021 Lincoln Aviator

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas received a styling refresh that included new front and rear bumpers, standard LED headlights and taillights, and a new grille. These changes added 2.4 inches to its length, giving it a more extroverted look compared to the 2020 model. The R-Line trim package added sportier-looking front and rear bumpers and side skirts. Despite these 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 in the mid-level SE with Technology trim was below average, with cheap-feeling plastics and simulated wood and metal trim.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator carried over the sharp design language from the 2020 model, characterized by crisp lines and heavy use of chrome. Inside, the Aviator differentiated itself from its Ford counterpart with a cabin defined by comfort and warmth, featuring plenty of soft-touch materials and a standard 10.1-inch touchscreen. The piano button shifter in the middle of the dash and soothing chimes for alerts added to the air of class and luxury. The Aviator's trims ranged from Standard to Black Label Grand Touring, with each trim adding more luxurious features and options, such as upgraded leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, and a 28-speaker Revel Ultima sound system.

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 was not impressive, with the four-cylinder engine rated at 22 mpg combined with FWD and the VR6 engine rated at 19 mpg combined with FWD.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came equipped with a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine producing 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and available in rear-wheel drive (RWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). The Grand Touring and Grand Touring Black Label trims featured a plug-in hybrid configuration, increasing output to 494 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque, with up to 21 miles of pure electric range. The Aviator provided brisk acceleration and a smooth swell of power, although it exhibited noticeable body roll in corners and was awkward to maneuver in tight spaces. The drive mode selector offered modes like "Excite" and "Conserve," enhancing the driving experience.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas offered 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 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, an optional wireless charging pad, and up to 17 cupholders. Ultrasonic parking sensors were standard, with additional features like low-speed automatic braking and active park assist available on higher trims.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator provided 18.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seats, 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 77.7 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. The second row was particularly comfortable, especially in the Grand Touring trim, which featured captain's chairs, a center console, and a digital control panel for seat, climate, and audio controls. The Aviator's power-button door releases were a potential functional issue, as they might be problematic if the battery ever died.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas came standard with Bluetooth and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. The base S trim had a 6.5-inch infotainment touchscreen, while other models had an 8-inch screen. Higher trims offered Volkswagen’s Digital Cockpit, a 10.3-inch reconfigurable digital display. The Atlas was set to receive the 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 also new for 2021.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator featured a standard 10.1-inch touchscreen running the Sync 3 infotainment system, which was intuitive and easy to use. The Aviator's screen had a landscape format, making for a more natural layout. The Sync 3 system included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, presented with large icons that took up the whole screen. The Aviator also had a fully digital instrument panel and an optional head-up display with large, crisp graphics.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas received top "good" ratings in all IIHS crash tests, but 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 sophisticated driver aids later in the model year, including Travel Assist and Emergency Assist.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came well-equipped with standard safety features as part of the Lincoln Co-Pilot 360 package, including automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The Co-Pilot 360 Plus package added features like reverse automatic braking and adaptive cruise control. The Aviator earned top marks from the NHTSA and IIHS, including a Top Safety Pick accolade from the IIHS.