2021 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2021 Mazda CX-5

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas received a styling refresh that included new front and rear bumpers, standard LED headlights and taillights with new designs, 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 conservatively-styled 2020 model. The R-Line trim package added sportier-looking front and rear bumpers, as well as side skirts. Despite these cosmetic changes, the Atlas still rode on the same MQB platform as before, which was used by most current VW models, including the Jetta and Golf. The interior of the Atlas took a minimalist approach, with sensibly laid-out controls and a standard seating configuration of seven seats across three rows. However, the material quality on the mid-level SE with Technology test car was below average, with cheap-feeling plastics and simulated wood and metal trim that were not convincing.

In contrast, the 2021 Mazda CX-5 took a different design direction with a smooth and stylish exterior that looked sleek even when standing still. The base CX-5 Sport came with automatic on/off LED headlights, 17-inch gray metallic aluminum alloy wheels, a rear roof spoiler, and rain-sensing windshield wipers. The higher-tier Touring model added features like rear privacy glass, leatherette seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, and auto-leveling LED headlights. The CX-5 Carbon Edition offered a unique Polymetal Gray paint job, gloss black door mirrors, and 19-inch black metallic aluminum alloy wheels, along with red leather seats and black honeycomb interior trim. The top-tier CX-5 Signature model featured Caturra Brown Nappa leather seats, genuine wood trim, and a frameless auto-dimming rearview mirror with Homelink, among other premium features. The interior materials of the CX-5 were above average for a compact crossover, with good fit and finish.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas offered two engine options. The standard 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four produced 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque on premium fuel. A 3.6-liter VR6 engine, available on SE with Technology and higher trim levels, delivered 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with standard front-wheel drive (FWD) or optional 4Motion all-wheel drive (AWD). The 4Motion system defaulted to FWD under low load to save fuel but could send power to the rear wheels when needed. The base 2.0-liter engine with AWD provided an underwhelming driving experience, 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 22 mpg combined with FWD and 21 mpg combined with AWD, while the VR6 models achieved 19 mpg combined with FWD and 18 mpg combined with AWD.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 also offered two engine options. The base 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine produced 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, available on the Carbon Edition, Grand Touring Reserve, and Signature trim levels, delivered 250 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque. AWD was standard on the higher trim levels with the turbo engine. The most fuel-efficient version of the CX-5, with FWD and the non-turbo engine, achieved 25 mpg in the city, 31 mpg on the highway, and 28 mpg combined. The turbocharged engine models were slightly less fuel-efficient, with AWD versions achieving 22 mpg in the city, 27 mpg on the highway, and 24 mpg combined. The CX-5's turbo engine provided spirited performance, especially in Sport mode, but the SUV's stiff suspension could make the ride less comfortable.

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 at the expense of second-row legroom, which was the worst among its competitive set. The second-row bench seat was also uncomfortable, with thin, flat cushions. The Atlas had a tall driving position, but forward visibility was less than optimal. It featured up to five USB ports, an optional wireless charging pad, and up to 17 cupholders. Ultrasonic parking sensors were standard, and higher trim levels offered low-speed automatic braking and active park assist.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5's design allowed it to fulfill most family functions in comfort and style. The seating position and comfort level were typical of an SUV of its size, with good headroom in both rows but limited legroom for back seat passengers. The CX-5 had two full LATCH connections on the rear outboard seats and a tether connector on the middle rear seat. The climate controls were straightforward and easy to use. The CX-5's cargo space was below average for the segment, with 30.9 cubic feet behind the second row and 59.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. A power liftgate was available.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas came standard with Bluetooth and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone compatibility. The base S trim level had a 6.5-inch infotainment touchscreen, while other models had an 8-inch screen. Higher trim levels 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 capability, 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 SEL and higher trim levels. A built-in 4G LTE WiFi hotspot was new for 2021.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 featured a standard 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen. While the screen size was impressive, Mazda’s operating system was not user-friendly, with information presented in a cluttered manner. The lack of knobs for tuning the stereo or scrolling through favorites made it difficult to use. However, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, allowing users to bypass some of the system's shortcomings.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas received top ratings in all Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) crash tests, except for a “marginal” rating for child-seat anchors and mixed headlight ratings. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (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 trim levels. The Atlas was set to receive more sophisticated driver aids later in the model year, including Travel Assist and Emergency Assist.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 came with a long list of standard safety features, including adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane keep assist. Additional features like a head-up display, reverse automatic emergency braking, and a surround-view camera system were available. The CX-5 earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. Mazda backed the CX-5 with a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.