2021 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2021 Volvo XC40

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, as well as side skirts. Despite these updates, the Atlas still rode on the same MQB platform as before, which was also used by other VW models like the Jetta and Golf. The interior of the Atlas was minimalist, with a standard seven-seat configuration and available second-row captain’s chairs. 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 Volvo XC40 had a more traditional SUV styling with a tall, flat roof and upright rear hatch. It featured familial styling cues like “Thor’s Hammer” LED headlights and a simple oval grille. The XC40 Recharge, the electric variant, was distinguished by a blanked-off grille, subtle “Recharge” badging, and model-specific alloy wheels. The interior of the XC40 was minimalist and premium, with real metal trim on the dashboard and a combination of Nappa leather and Nubuck textile upholstery. The design was coherent, with elements like the portrait-oriented touchscreen and air vents melding together seamlessly.

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) and 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 Volvo XC40 had a three-tiered powertrain lineup, with the electric Recharge on top. The base FWD T4 had a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, while the AWD T5 had 248 hp and 258 lb-ft. The Recharge had a combined 402 hp and 486 lb-ft from its electric motors, with a 78-kilowatt-hour battery pack. The Recharge could accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds, while the T5 and T4 took 6.1 and 8.1 seconds, respectively. The Recharge emphasized quiet and comfort, with excellent ride quality even on rough roads. It also had a towing capacity of 2,000 pounds when properly equipped.

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 had more third-row legroom than most competitors but sacrificed second-row legroom, which was the worst among its competitive set. The second-row bench seat was uncomfortable with thin, flat cushions. The Atlas had a tall driving position but less than optimal forward visibility. It featured up to five USB ports, an optional wireless charging pad, and up to 17 cupholders.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 had less legroom in both the front and rear seats compared to the Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E, and a smaller cargo area. The gasoline XC40 was more competitive on interior space compared to rivals like the Audi Q3 and BMW X1. Volvo included clever storage solutions, such as a removable trash bin in the center console, a bag hook in the glovebox door, and extra-large door bins. The storage cubby ahead of the shifter was properly shaped to hold a phone, and a wireless charging pad was optional. However, second-row occupants did not get any phone-charging options.

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 featured 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 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 new for 2021.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge featured the Android Automotive OS infotainment system, which included Google apps like Google Assistant and Google Maps. The system also supported Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity. The standard hardware setup included a 9-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The Recharge was the first XC40 variant to get OTA update capability, allowing for updates to any vehicle function controlled by software. Recharge models also lacked a start button, instead using a key fob to shift out of park.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas received the top “good” rating in all IIHS crash tests, with a “marginal” rating for child-seat anchors and mixed headlight ratings. The 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 gasoline 2021 Volvo XC40 received the highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA. The electric XC40 Recharge had not been rated, but Volvo expected it to perform well in crash tests. Standard safety features included lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking, and rear parking sensors. Optional features included traffic-sign recognition, reverse automatic emergency braking, and Volvo’s Pilot Assist driver-assistance system. The Recharge model also featured Volvo’s latest sensor suite, scalable for future advanced driver aids.