2021 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2022 Lexus NX

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 cosmetic changes, the Atlas still rode on the same MQB platform as before, which was 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.

In contrast, the 2022 Lexus NX offered a more refined and simplified design, with a new dashboard that created a cozy feeling compared to the previous model. The NX was available in four model series, including the NX 250, NX 350, NX 350h, and NX 450h+, with various trim levels such as base, Premium, F Sport, and Luxury. The NX 350 F Sport distinguished itself with a unique mesh-pattern grille, body-color fender trim, 20-inch gloss black wheels, and black mirrors. Inside, the F Sport featured sport-bolstered seats, a black headliner, and unique instrumentation. The NX also offered more passenger and cargo space, with a panoramic sunroof available for the first time. The interior was comfortable, especially with heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The NX Luxury trim included real leather and open-pore wood trim, along with a nature-inspired Thematic Ambient Illumination system.

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 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. 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 had a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds with the VR6 engine and 2,000 pounds with the four-cylinder engine. Fuel economy for the four-cylinder models was rated at 22 mpg combined with FWD and 21 mpg combined with AWD, while the VR6 models were rated at 19 mpg combined with FWD and 18 mpg combined with AWD.

The 2022 Lexus NX offered two electrified versions: the NX 350h hybrid with a combined output of 239 horsepower and an EPA-estimated 39 mpg in combined driving, and the NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid with 302 horsepower and an estimated 36 miles of pure electric range. The NX 350 had a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD. The NX 250 had a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine generating 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, with FWD and an optional AWD. The NX 350 F Sport featured an adaptive variable sports suspension with performance dampers and standard 20-inch wheels. The F Sport felt taut and lean on winding roads, while the NX 350 Luxury offered a softer and more relaxed driving character. Lexus estimated 25 mpg in combined driving for the NX 350.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas was designed as a family hauler with three rows of seats and a total cargo space of 96.8 cubic feet behind the front seats and 20.6 cubic feet with all seats up. The Atlas offered 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. The interior featured logically laid-out controls, up to five USB ports, and an optional wireless charging pad. The Atlas also had up to 17 cupholders and standard ultrasonic parking sensors.

The 2022 Lexus NX offered more interior room for passengers and cargo, with a 14% increase in cargo space behind the back seat, bringing the figure to 22.7 cubic feet. Folding the back seats down created 46.9 cubic feet of volume. The NX's new dashboard design created a more intimate and cozy feeling. The interior was comfortable, especially with heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The F Sport trim featured sport-bolstered seats and a black headliner. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed roomy accommodations with rear air conditioning vents, rear heated cushions, and USB ports. The NX Luxury trim included a nature-inspired Thematic Ambient Illumination system with 14 themes.

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 added 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. The Atlas also had a built-in 4G LTE WiFi hotspot that could support up to four devices.

The 2022 Lexus NX featured the new Lexus Interface infotainment system, which included a 9.8-inch touchscreen display as standard and a 14-inch screen as an optional upgrade. Standard equipment included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Voice Assistant technology, and readiness for five different connected service subscription plans. A 10-speaker sound system was standard, with a 17-speaker Mark Levinson premium surround system available as an option. The new Voice Assistant and Intelligent Assistant systems responded to naturally spoken commands. The NX also included a complimentary three-year trial subscription to the new Drive Connect service, which included cloud-based navigation, destination assist, and Intelligent Assistant technology. Additional technologies included a digital mirror, a 10-inch head-up display, and User Profiles for storing preferences and settings.

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. 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 2022 Lexus NX came with the standard Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 (LSS+ 3.0) collection of technologies, which included several new features such as Risk Avoidance Emergency Steer Assist, Oncoming Vehicle Detection, Oncoming Pedestrian Detection, and Curve Speed Management. The NX also had standard blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and Safe Exit Assist technology. Premium trim added rear pedestrian detection, an adaptive front lighting system, semi-autonomous parking assist, and rear cross-traffic braking. A Vision Package was available, which included a panoramic view monitoring system, front cross-traffic alert, and lane-change assistance.