2021 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2021 Subaru Forester

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas underwent a styling refresh, featuring new front and rear bumpers, standard LED headlights and taillights, and a redesigned grille shared with the Atlas Cross Sport model. These updates 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 changes, the Atlas retained its MQB platform, which it shared with other VW models like the Jetta and Golf. The interior followed a minimalist design, with a standard seven-seat configuration across three rows. However, the material quality in the mid-level SE with Technology trim was below average, with cheap-feeling plastics and faux wood and metal trim.

The 2021 Subaru Forester, although redesigned in 2019, maintained a familiar look with its boxy, upright shape, appealing to SUV shoppers. The Forester Sport model added orange striping, a rear spoiler, and black 18-inch alloy wheels, which made a noticeable difference in its appearance. Built on the Subaru Global Platform, the Forester shared its underpinnings with other Subaru models, emphasizing its rugged SUV image. The interior was practical, with a no-nonsense mix of materials designed to withstand wear and tear. The Sport trim added orange accents, while higher trims offered leather upholstery and an All-Weather Package with heated features.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas offered two engine options: a 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 standard and 4Motion all-wheel drive optional. The driving experience with the base engine and AWD was underwhelming, with adequate acceleration but rough shifts. Handling was truck-like, and ride quality was poor, with noticeable impacts from road imperfections. 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 unimpressive, with the four-cylinder engine rated at 22 mpg combined and the VR6 at 19 mpg combined.

The 2021 Subaru Forester featured a single powertrain: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. The engine's boxer configuration provided a lower center of gravity. The Forester's power felt adequate but lacked thrust for highway merging and overtaking. The suspension was softly tuned, resulting in poor body control and a bouncy ride. AWD was standard, with X-Mode for different surfaces and Dual X-Mode on Sport models. The Forester had a towing capacity of 1,500 pounds and offered 8.7 inches of ground clearance, making it suitable for light off-road use.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas, a three-row crossover, offered average passenger and cargo space, with 96.8 cubic feet behind the front seats and 20.6 cubic feet with all seats up. It provided more third-row legroom than most competitors but sacrificed second-row legroom. The second-row bench seat was uncomfortable, with thin cushions. The Atlas featured a straightforward folding mechanism for the second and third rows, and third-row access was relatively easy. The interior layout was driver-focused, with controls within easy reach. The Atlas offered up to five USB ports and an optional wireless charging pad. It had a tall driving position but limited forward visibility, with standard parking sensors and optional active park assist.

The 2021 Subaru Forester provided above-average headroom and legroom in both rows, thanks to its tall roofline. It offered 35.4 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 76.1 cubic feet with them folded. The Forester lacked a sliding second-row bench but offered a power liftgate on higher trims. The interior featured decently sized cupholders and a reasonably sized center console, though the phone-storage cubby was small. The Forester's controls were user-friendly, with large knobs for audio and climate control, but the steering wheel had numerous buttons.

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 higher trims featured an 8-inch screen. The Digital Cockpit was available on higher trims, replacing analog gauges with a 10.3-inch digital display. The Atlas was set to receive the MIBIII infotainment system later in the model year, offering 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.

The 2021 Subaru Forester's Starlink infotainment system included a 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, and front-row USB ports. Sport models added an 8-inch touchscreen and Harman Kardon audio system, while higher trims included navigation and rear USB ports. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with well-designed graphics and backup analog controls. However, the screen was slow to boot up. The Forester also featured a secondary screen in the dashboard and a small screen in the instrument cluster, displaying secondary information.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas received top "good" ratings in IIHS crash tests, with 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 advanced driver aids later in the model year.

The 2021 Subaru Forester earned the highest "Top Safety Pick+" award from the IIHS, with top ratings in crash tests and front-crash prevention tech. The NHTSA gave it a five-star overall rating. The Forester came standard with EyeSight, a suite of driver-assist features, including adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking. Subaru's DriverFocus system monitored driver distraction. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and reverse automatic braking.