2021 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2021 Volkswagen ID.4

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 also used by other VW models like the Jetta and Golf. The interior of the Atlas was minimalist, 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 Volkswagen ID.4 was designed from the ground up as an electric vehicle (EV) and featured a distinctive look with a streamlined profile and wheels pushed out to the corners. It was based on VW’s EV-specific MEB platform and followed the European-market ID.3 hatchback. The interior design blended Volkswagen’s trademark minimalism with a smartphone aesthetic, featuring piano black and matte plastic. The base ID.4 Pro came with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and cloth seats, while the Pro S and 1st Edition models had leatherette upholstery. The ID.4's interior felt spacious, with good forward visibility, although rearward visibility was substandard due to thick rear pillars and a small back window.

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 4Motion system could send power to the rear wheels when needed. However, the driving experience with the base 2.0-liter engine and AWD was underwhelming, with rough shifts and poor ride quality. The Atlas also had an Active Control feature with different drive modes, but it didn’t improve on-road handling. The VR6 models could tow up to 5,000 pounds, while the four-cylinder models were limited to 2,000 pounds. Fuel economy was not impressive, with the four-cylinder engine rated at 22 mpg combined with FWD and the VR6 at 19 mpg combined with FWD.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 launched with a single rear-mounted electric motor producing 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque, powered by an 82-kilowatt-hour battery pack. An AWD version with a second electric motor arrived later in 2021, increasing power output to 295 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque. The ID.4 was tuned for comfort rather than handling, with a smooth ride over bumps and potholes but lots of body roll in corners. The electric motor provided instantaneous torque, making acceleration fun, but the ID.4 was not sporty. Unlike many EVs, the ID.4 did not offer aggressive regenerative braking for one-pedal driving, relying more on friction brakes.

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 had the worst second-row legroom in its class. The second-row bench seat was uncomfortable with thin, flat cushions. Controls were logically laid out, and up to five USB ports and an optional wireless charging pad were available. The Atlas also featured up to 17 cupholders. Forward visibility was less than optimal, but ultrasonic parking sensors and available low-speed automatic braking and active park assist helped with parking.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 felt spacious from the driver’s seat, with good forward visibility but substandard rearward visibility. It offered 30.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 64.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The ID.4 did not have a front trunk (frunk) for extra cargo storage, but VW prioritized cabin space instead. The interior featured a twist-grip gear selector on the dashboard, freeing up space on the center console, although the console itself was narrow and close to the floor. The ID.4 also had standard heated steering wheel and front seats, which proved effective in cold weather.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas came 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 with a 10.3-inch reconfigurable digital display. The Atlas was set to receive VW’s new MIBIII infotainment system later in the 2021 model year, which included multi-phone pairing capability, improved voice recognition, and a redesigned navigation system. A built-in 4G LTE WiFi hotspot was also available, supporting up to four devices.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 featured a standard 10-inch touchscreen (with an optional 12-inch screen) and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A 5.3-inch display screen served as the instrument cluster, and haptic touchpads replaced nearly all switchgear. The touchpads were difficult to use without tactile feedback, but the natural-language voice-control system allowed drivers to bypass them. The ID.4 also introduced ID.Light, a light strip at the base of the windshield that communicated information to the driver. The touchscreen was well-positioned with smart-looking graphics and easy-to-navigate menus.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas received the top “good” rating in all Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) crash tests, but with a “marginal” rating for child-seat anchors and mixed headlight ratings. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) had not published ratings for the 2021 Atlas, 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 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 Volkswagen ID.4 received the highest-level Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA for the RWD model. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, park distance control, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. The ID.4 also featured Travel Assist and Emergency Assist, which added automated lane centering and the ability to bring the car to a stop if the driver was incapacitated. Travel Assist performed well, smoothly following curves and responding well to acceleration and deceleration.