2021 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2022 Genesis GV70

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas underwent a styling refresh that included new front and rear bumpers, standard LED headlights and taillights, and a new grille design. These changes extended the vehicle's length by 2.4 inches, giving it a more extroverted appearance compared to the previous model. The R-Line trim added sportier elements like unique bumpers and side skirts. Despite these updates, the Atlas maintained its boxy, high-riding utility vehicle look, with a drag coefficient of 0.34. The interior followed a minimalist approach, with a focus on functionality over decorative elements. However, the material quality, especially in the mid-level SE with Technology trim, was below average, with cheap-feeling plastics and faux wood and metal trim.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 boasted a unique appearance, borrowing some styling elements from other Genesis models but maintaining its distinctiveness. It featured quad LED strips for headlights and taillights, a large shield-shaped grille, and a sloping roofline that added a fastback-like aesthetic. The Sport Prestige model included unique styling features, such as 21-inch wheels with a web pattern and dark chrome trim. Inside, the GV70 had an elliptical theme inspired by an airplane wing, with a minimalistic design that included a rotary gear selector and infotainment controller. The interior offered a variety of color options and luxurious materials, with Nappa leather upholstery and suede seat inserts in the Sport Prestige trim.

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 as standard and optional 4Motion all-wheel drive. The driving experience with the base engine and AWD was underwhelming, with adequate acceleration but rough shifts. Handling was truck-like, and the ride quality was poor, with every pavement imperfection felt in the cabin. 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 with FWD and 21 mpg with AWD, while the VR6 engine achieved 19 mpg combined with FWD and 18 mpg with AWD.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 came with a base 2.5-liter turbo-four engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 generating 375 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. Both powertrains featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The GV70 included a rear electronic limited-slip differential and launch control, emphasizing its sporty character. The Sport+ drive mode enhanced throttle response and transmission behavior for spirited driving. However, the chassis felt big and heavy, lacking the sharpness of some competitors. The GV70 excelled in highway cruising, but the ride was firm, and it lacked the solidity expected from a luxury vehicle.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas was designed as a family hauler, offering three rows of seating with a standard configuration of seven seats. It provided 96.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the front seats and 20.6 cubic feet with all seats up. While the third-row legroom was commendable, the second-row legroom was the worst among its competitors. The second-row bench seat was uncomfortable, with thin cushions. The Atlas featured a driver-focused layout with controls within easy reach, up to five USB ports, and an optional wireless charging pad. It also offered up to 17 cupholders and standard ultrasonic parking sensors.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered mid-pack interior space for its segment, with adequate legroom in both rows and good rear-seat visibility. It provided 28.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 56.9 cubic feet with them folded. The interior design compromised storage space, with a slim center console and thin door pockets. The front seats in the Sport Prestige trim were heavily bolstered, offering heating, ventilation, massage, and posture-assist functions. Rear-seat passengers had their own climate controls, and the GV70 included a covered storage cubby with USB ports.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas featured Bluetooth and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility across all models. The base S trim had a 6.5-inch infotainment touchscreen, while other models received an 8-inch screen. Higher trim levels offered Volkswagen’s Digital Cockpit, 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 SE with Technology trim had an 8-inch screen with plain displays, and a 12-speaker Fender audio system was available on higher trims. A built-in 4G LTE WiFi hotspot was also introduced for 2021.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 boasted a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The tile-based layout and crisp graphics were user-friendly, and the glass rotary controller added functionality. Higher trims offered a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with a 3D effect and a 12-inch head-up display. The GV70 included a digital-key feature, allowing smartphone use in place of a key fob, and a fingerprint scanner for starting the car. Genesis Connected Services provided features like remote camera activation and a radar-based rear-seat monitor.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas received top "good" ratings in all IIHS crash tests, except for a "marginal" rating for child-seat anchors and mixed headlight ratings. The NHTSA had not published ratings for the 2021 model, 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 trims. The Atlas was set to receive more advanced driver aids later in the model year, including Travel Assist and Emergency Assist.

The 2022 Genesis GV70, being a new model, did not have crash-test ratings from the IIHS or NHTSA. It came standard with safety features like lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The GV70 also included eight airbags, including a front-center airbag. Optional features included Highway Driving Assist 2 with lane-change functionality and navigation-based adaptive cruise control. The Highway Driving Assist system provided smooth control inputs but struggled with tight curves.