2021 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar

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 MQB platform, which is shared with other VW models like the Jetta and Golf. The interior followed a minimalist design, with a standard seven-seat configuration and available captain’s chairs. 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 Land Rover Range Rover Velar exuded class and elegance, with a design that referenced the larger Range Rover's profile but in a sportier package. Its long wheelbase, short overhangs, and signature Land Rover grille were unmistakable. The Velar's design included subtle adjustments like a sloping roof and flush door handles, contributing to its streamlined look. The interior was equally impressive, with high-quality materials and a polished black center stack. The Velar's infotainment system, Pivi Pro, offered a simplified layout and useful features like voice activation and a 360-degree camera. However, the Velar's design choices, such as the lack of a discrete parking brake control, were criticized for being impractical.

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 with 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. The driving experience with the base engine and AWD was underwhelming, with rough shifts and poor ride quality. The Atlas had a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds with the VR6 engine, but only 2,000 pounds with the four-cylinder. Fuel economy was unimpressive, with the four-cylinder rated at 22 mpg combined and the VR6 at 19 mpg combined.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar shared its chassis with the Jaguar F-Pace, resulting in improved handling and steering. The base engine was a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four with 247 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive. The Velar offered a smoother ride with its optional air suspension and adaptive dampers. The optional 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six, available in two states of tune, provided 340 hp and 354 lb-ft or 395 hp and 405 lb-ft, thanks to a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. This powertrain delivered high performance while reducing emissions, although it didn't offer a V8 option like previous models.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas was designed as a family hauler, offering 96.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the front seats and 20.6 cubic feet with all seats up. It provided more third-row legroom than most competitors but sacrificed second-row legroom. The interior featured logically laid-out controls and up to five USB ports. The Atlas had a tall driving position, but forward visibility was limited. Parking sensors and low-speed automatic braking were standard, with active park assist available on higher trims.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar had a tighter interior compared to midsize SUVs, with limited headroom and visibility. Cargo space was 16 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 49 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Velar's design choices, such as the lack of a discrete parking brake control, were criticized for being impractical. The Pivi Pro infotainment system offered a simplified layout and useful features, but the Velar's design choices, such as the lack of a discrete parking brake control, were criticized for being impractical.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas came with Bluetooth and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. The base S trim had a 6.5-inch infotainment touchscreen, while other models had an 8-inch screen. Higher trims offered Volkswagen’s Digital Cockpit, replacing analog gauges with a 10.3-inch digital display. The Atlas was set to receive VW’s new MIBIII infotainment system later in the model year, adding features like multi-phone pairing and improved voice recognition. A 12-speaker Fender audio system was available on higher trims, and a built-in 4G LTE WiFi hotspot was new for 2021.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar's Pivi Pro infotainment system simplified the layout with fewer icons and more logical arrangements. It offered features like voice activation, a PM2.5 air filter, and a heated windshield. The navigation system could identify frequent routes and suggest traffic detours. The 4x4 app detailed off-road measurements, and the 360-degree cameras provided a 3D view of the vehicle. The instrument panel could show full-width maps and reconfigure the gauges, but the driving assist display was less detailed than competitors.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas received top ratings in all IIHS crash tests, except for a "marginal" rating for child-seat anchors and mixed headlight ratings. The 2020 model received a five-star overall rating from NHTSA. 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 sophisticated driver aids later in the model year.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar scored well in the European NCAP, with a five-star rating and a 93-percent score for multiple impact tests. Standard driving assists included forward emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. Optional features included 360-degree cameras and adaptive cruise control with steering assist.