2021 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas received a styling refresh that included new front and rear bumpers, standard LED headlights and taillights, and a new grille shared with the two-row Atlas Cross Sport model. These changes added 2.4 inches to the length of the Atlas, giving it a more extroverted look compared to the conservatively-styled 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 is used by most current VW models. The interior of the Atlas took a minimalist approach, with a standard seating configuration of seven seats across three rows. However, the material quality on the mid-level SE with Technology trim was below average, with cheap-feeling plastics and simulated wood and metal trim.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5, on the other hand, presented a polished exterior appearance with minimal character lines. The Parametric Pixel design was used throughout the exterior in all the LEDs and lighting casings, giving it a concept car-like appearance. The Ioniq 5's interior was designed with a "Living Space" theme, featuring soft touch points and useable spaces throughout. The cabin was available in black, gray, and dark green hues, providing a mellow but comfortable environment. The seats were made from sustainable materials, with stain-resistant cloth as standard and leatherette upholstery for higher trims. The interior also featured a moveable center armrest and cubby, as well as a modern take on the retro front bench seat.

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 coupled to an eight-speed automatic transmission, with standard front-wheel drive (FWD) or 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 also had an Active Control feature with different drive modes, but it lacked a four-wheel drive (4WD) system with low range, making it best suited for pavement. The VR6 models had a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, while the four-cylinder models were rated to tow 2,000 pounds. Fuel economy for the Atlas was not impressive, with the four-cylinder models rated at 22 mpg combined with FWD and 21 mpg with AWD, while the VR6 models were rated at 19 mpg combined with FWD and 18 mpg with AWD.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 came in two drive configurations, three trims, and three powertrains. The base model, the Ioniq 5 SE Standard Range, featured a single 128-kW rear-mounted electric motor producing 168 horsepower and offering 220 miles of range. The extended-range lineup included SE, SEL, and Limited RWD variants with a larger 168-kW rear motor producing 225 hp and 258 pound-feet of torque, with a single-charge range of 303 miles. The AWD variants had a dual-motor system with a total power of 320 hp and 446 lb-ft of torque, but the range dropped to 256 miles. The Ioniq 5 handled well on elevation-changing canyon roads and highway straightaways, with four drive modes including Sport mode. The paddle shifters were used for adjusting regenerative properties, and the vehicle featured noise-reducing tires and sound-deadening materials for a quiet ride.

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 at the expense of 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 forward visibility was less than optimal. It featured up to five USB ports, an optional wireless charging pad, and up to 17 cupholders. Ultrasonic parking sensors were standard, with low-speed automatic braking and active park assist available on higher trim levels.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 sat on the Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), offering a longer wheelbase and maximizing interior space and utility. The Ioniq 5 had a total interior volume of 133.7 cubic feet, with a passenger volume of 106.5 cubic feet. The interior featured soft touch points and useable spaces, with a moveable center armrest and cubby. The leatherette seats were comfortable and supportive, with added bolsters for snug security. The Ioniq 5 also had a modern take on the retro front bench seat, allowing for easy entry and exit from either front door.

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. Volkswagen’s Digital Cockpit was available on higher trim levels, replacing analog gauges 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. The base six-speaker audio system was decent, with a 12-speaker Fender audio system available on SEL and higher trim levels. A built-in 4G LTE WiFi hotspot was also new for 2021.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 featured a next-generation high-voltage, energy-dense system with vehicle-to-load capabilities. It supported charging infrastructures up to 800 volts and could reach 80 percent battery capacity within 18 minutes. The Ioniq 5 also offered a redesigned Blue Link connected car app, a digital key, enhanced smartphone pairing, compatibility with virtual assistants, and over-the-air updates. The vehicle had beautifully designed 12.3-inch screens for the instrument cluster and infotainment, finished with an anti-glare coating for easy readability.

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) gave the 2020 model a five-star overall rating. Every 2021 Atlas trim level had standard 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 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 was equipped with Hyundai SmartSense, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS). Standard features included blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and front- and rear-collision avoidance. The Ioniq 5 also had Hyundai Highway Drive Assist I, a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving system with machine-learning adaptive cruise control. The vehicle featured a head-up display (HUD) with augmented reality overlays, although it could be distracting in actual usage. Neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS had released crash-safety ratings for the Ioniq 5, but Hyundai had a strong track record with IIHS Top Safety awards.