2021 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2021 Volvo XC90

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas underwent a significant styling refresh to enhance its visual appeal. VW integrated new front and rear bumpers, standard LED headlights, and taillights with refreshed designs. It also introduced a new grille borrowed from the two-row Atlas Cross Sport model. These changes increased the overall length of the Atlas by 2.4 inches.

While the 2021 Atlas appeared more extroverted than its conservatively styled predecessor, some features like the fake chrome exhaust tips drew mixed reactions for being somewhat tacky. The R-Line trim package added sportier elements, including front and rear bumpers, side skirts, and an allegedly improved drag coefficient of 0.34. Despite all these updates, the platform remained the same MQB structure shared with other VW models like the Jetta and Golf, showcasing its versatility.

Wheel size varied across trims, from 18-inch alloy wheels on the S and SE trims to 21-inch wheels with the R-Line package on SEL and SEL Premium trims. Roof rails came standard, and a panoramic sunroof was available starting from the SE with Technology trim level, becoming standard on SEL and SEL Premium.

Inside, VW maintained a minimalist design with sensibly laid-out controls. The Atlas offered a standard seven-seat configuration but had optional second-row captain's chairs for higher trims. Cloth upholstery was standard on the base S trim, while SE and SEL models came with simulated leather. Only the top SEL Premium trim provided real leather upholstery. However, the material quality on the mid-level SE with Technology model was considered subpar, with plastics perceived as cheap.

Contrastingly, the 2021 Volvo XC90 exemplified how an automaker could reshape its image through design. This generation of the XC90, which debuted in 2016, maintained recognizable Volvo attributes while incorporating more character and detail. With a boxy profile and a blunt front end featuring a rectangular grille, the XC90 preserved its heritage but modernized it with softer lines, additional chrome, and distinctive LED headlights with "Thor's Hammer" daytime running lights.

Our Inscription test model featured extra chrome trim and optional 21-inch alloy wheels, putting it at the top tier in terms of flashiness. The midlevel R-Design trim aimed for a sportier appearance, whereas the base Momentum trim kept it simple. Wheel sizes ranged from 19-inch on the Momentum to 20-inch on the R-Design, both featuring new designs for 2021.

Built on Volvo's Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform shared with other "90" series models and smaller "60" series models, the XC90 embodied Swedish minimalism. Featuring matte-finish wood trims with a natural appearance and the unique option of wool upholstery, Volvo's interior design offered a blend of elegance and simplicity. Despite the luxurious materials, some, like the Orrefors crystal shifter, seemed slightly excessive in the otherwise restrained interior.

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 on premium fuel, and a 3.6-liter VR6 generating 276 hp and 266 lb-ft. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with standard front-wheel drive and optional 4Motion all-wheel drive.

Performance-wise, the base 2.0-liter engine with AWD delivered adequate acceleration, but the driving experience fell short, with rough shifts when accelerating from a stop. Despite the multi-link independent rear suspension, handling was truck-like, and ride quality suffered, transmitting every pavement imperfection into the cabin, especially with the 20-inch wheels.

The Atlas was equipped with an Active Control feature on AWD models, offering different drive modes including Onroad, Snow, Offroad, and Custom Offroad modes. Onroad mode provided Normal, Sport, Comfort, and Individual settings, but these adjusted only engine, transmission, and steering, not suspension.

Key performance figures for fuel economy were also underwhelming. The four-cylinder engine achieved 22 mpg combined with FWD and slightly less with AWD. The VR6 managed 19 mpg combined with FWD, dropping further with AWD. Towing capacity varied significantly with engine choice, ranging from 2,000 pounds for the 2.0-liter engine to 5,000 pounds for the VR6 with a factory-installed hitch.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrain options, all based on a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine linked to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base T5 engine was turbocharged, producing 250 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. The T6 engine, which was both turbocharged and supercharged, delivered 316 hp and 295 lb-ft. The T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid added electric assistance, achieving a combined output of 400 hp and 472 lb-ft.

While the T8's 400 hp promised strong performance, it struggled to maximize its electric power, often requiring the gasoline engine's assistance. The T5 came standard with FWD, while AWD was optional. The T6 and T8 came standard with AWD.

Despite its small engine, the plug-in hybrid T8 struggled to balance efficiency and power, with the gasoline engine frequently stepping in. Drive modes included Pure (all-electric), Hybrid, and Power modes, but Pure mode was limited to low speeds with gentle acceleration.

The XC90 shone in ride quality, offering an impressive experience even with 21-inch wheels and an optional air-suspension system. Although not tuned for sporty handling, the XC90 managed body roll well and provided a serene, quiet cabin. Towing capacity was 5,000 pounds for most models, except the base FWD T5, which was rated for 4,000 pounds.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas offered ample cargo space, with 96.8 cubic feet available behind the front seats and 20.6 cubic feet with all seats up. However, the trade-off for its generous third-row legroom was a limited second-row legroom, which was the worst among its competitors. The thin, flat cushions of the second-row bench also offered little comfort.

Folding and raising the second- and third-row seats was fairly straightforward, and third-row access was notably easy due to the sliding second-row bench. Controls were placed conveniently within reach of the driver and logically laid out, reinforcing the Atlas's practical driver-focused design. Technology features included up to five USB ports, an optional wireless charging pad, and a notable 17 cupholders for added convenience.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered a choice between six-seat and seven-seat configurations, depending on the preference for second-row captain’s chairs or a bench seat. Nevertheless, headroom and legroom in all three rows remained average for the segment. The seats, particularly in the second and third rows, felt hard and unsupported, affecting overall comfort.

The XC90’s power moonroof gave the cabin an airy feel. Up front, it featured 10-way power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats with an available backrest massage but lacked a power-adjustable steering wheel. Storage options were limited, with a shallow center console storage bin and a lack of console storage. Cargo space measured 11.2 cubic feet with all seats in place, expanding to 34.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, and 64.1 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded—less than the Atlas and near the bottom of its segment. The XC90 did offer a hands-free power tailgate for added convenience.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas came with standard Bluetooth and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone compatibility. While the base S trim featured a 6.5-inch infotainment touchscreen, higher trims boasted an 8-inch screen. The Digital Cockpit was available on higher trims, replacing the analog gauges with a 10.3-inch digital display. A new MIBIII infotainment system, set to launch later in 2021, promised enhancements such as multi-phone pairing capability, improved voice recognition, and a redesigned navigation system.

Our SE with Technology test car featured the 8-inch screen, which was easy to navigate but appeared plain and text-heavy. The base six-speaker audio system was decent, with an available 12-speaker Fender audio system on SEL and higher trims. New for 2021 was a built-in 4G LTE WiFi hotspot supporting up to four devices, with service options available through Verizon.

Volvo’s Sensus infotainment system in the 2021 XC90 demonstrated that simplicity could be effective. Equipped with a standard 9-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth, and a built-in WiFi hotspot, the XC90’s system was highly functional. Two front USB-A ports and two rear USB-C ports were also standard, along with an optional 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system and head-up display (HUD).

Despite its reliance on touchscreen controls, Volvo’s portrait-oriented display was user-friendly, allowing swipe navigation akin to using a tablet. However, the typeface used made some menus challenging to read while driving. Additionally, the wireless charging pad added for 2021 was too small for most phones, and the limited second-row USB-C ports exacerbated this issue for those needing front-row charging options.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas was rated highly by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), achieving top "good" ratings in all crash tests, though it received a "marginal" rating for child-seat anchors and varied headlight ratings. The standard headlights were rated “marginal,” while those on the SEL and SEL Premium trims were rated “good.”

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) had not yet published ratings for the 2021 Atlas, but the 2020 model received a five-star overall rating. Standard safety features across all trims included automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring. Higher trims offered adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and a traffic-jam assist feature for low-speed driving.

Later in the model year, the Atlas was scheduled to add more driver aids, such as Travel Assist for automated lane centering at speeds up to 95 mph, and Emergency Assist, which could stop the vehicle if the driver was incapacitated.

The 2021 Volvo XC90, excluding the T8 plug-in hybrid, received the highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the IIHS. Non-hybrid models scored top marks in crash tests and front-crash prevention technology in vehicle-to-vehicle testing, though they received an “Advanced” rating for vehicle-to-pedestrian testing, and “Acceptable” ratings for headlights and LATCH child-seat anchors.

The NHTSA awarded all 2021 XC90 models a five-star overall safety rating. Volvo’s extensive list of standard safety features included lane-keep assist, a driver-attention monitor, traffic-sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking, and Pilot Assist for adaptive cruise control with lane centering. Pilot Assist remained one of the more responsive and smooth systems available, handling most driving conditions well but not meant to replace attentive driving.