2021 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2021 Lincoln Navigator

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 Navigator, on the other hand, exuded elegance and understatement despite its massive size. It featured simple rectilinear shapes for the grille, windows, and headlights, with a few splashes of chrome for a classy touch. The interior was impressive, with seven color palettes and high-quality materials. The Perfect Position seats could adjust in 30 different ways, providing exceptional comfort. The Navigator's interior was muted and modern, with a floating center console and a minimalist digital instrument panel. The Black Label trims offered even more luxurious materials and textures, making the Navigator feel like a high-end 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 rated at 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with standard front-wheel drive or optional 4Motion all-wheel drive. 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 Navigator featured a powerful twin-turbo V6 engine from the Ford Raptor, producing 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, the Navigator responded quickly and felt sprightly despite its size. The 4WD system was smooth and did not bind when turning at low speeds. The Navigator had a towing capacity of 8,300 pounds with 4WD and 8,700 pounds with RWD. Fuel economy was poor, averaging in the teens, with an EPA-estimated 17 mpg combined. The Navigator's adaptive dampers provided a decent ride, but it lacked the superior control and supple ride of competitors like the Cadillac Escalade.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas offered average passenger and cargo space for its segment, with 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 had a tall driving position but poor forward visibility. It featured up to five USB ports, an optional wireless charging pad, and up to 17 cupholders. Parking sensors and low-speed automatic braking were standard, with active park assist available on higher trims.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator had ample space for six adults, with a possible total of eight passengers with the optional second-row bench. It offered 19 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 57 cubic feet behind the second row, and 103 cubic feet in total. The long-wheelbase Navigator L provided even more cargo space. The Navigator's front seats were highly adjustable and comfortable, with large windows and a high driving position for excellent visibility. The second-row seats could be removed for maximum storage, but they did not electrically recline. The Navigator featured heated rear second-row seats and a three-zone climate system, with an optional console for the second row.

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 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 VW’s new MIBIII infotainment system later in the model year, which included multi-phone pairing, 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 higher trims. A built-in 4G LTE WiFi hotspot was new for 2021.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator featured a 10-inch touchscreen, which felt small compared to competitors. The infotainment system was intuitive and shared its interface with Ford, but with a unique Lincoln skin. It included onboard 4G WiFi, wireless device charging, a smartwatch app, and the ability to use a smartphone as the vehicle's ignition key. The rear entertainment system included Roku media streaming and various connections. The Navigator's voice recognition was fast and accurate, but it lacked onboard apps and wireless software updates through the vehicle's modem. The 20-speaker Revel Ultima stereo was good but not exceptional.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas received top ratings in all IIHS crash tests, except for 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 Lincoln Navigator received five stars overall from the NHTSA, with five stars in every test except for rollover resistance. The IIHS had not rated the Navigator in its current generation. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and auto high beams. Adaptive cruise control was optional, but the Navigator did not self-steer and track highway lanes as competently as competitors.