2021 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2022 Subaru Outback

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 its predecessor. The Atlas maintained its MQB platform, which was shared with other VW models like the Jetta and Golf, showcasing its versatility. The interior of the Atlas was minimalist, with a focus on functionality, though the material quality, particularly in the mid-level SE with Technology trim, was below average. The seating configuration offered seven seats across three rows, with options for captain’s chairs in higher trims.

In contrast, the 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness presented a rugged, off-road-ready look with its increased ground clearance of 9.5 inches and aggressive all-terrain tires. The exterior featured unique design elements like a matte black hood decal and Anodized Copper accents. Inside, the Outback Wilderness was equipped with StarTex water-repellant upholstery and a dark gray and black color scheme. While the interior lacked ventilated seats, it offered heated front seats and a dual-zone automatic climate control system. The Outback Wilderness was designed to stand out with its adventurous styling and practical features for outdoor enthusiasts.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas offered two engine options: a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four producing 235 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, and a 3.6-liter VR6 engine with 276 horsepower and 266 lb-ft 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 Atlas's driving experience was underwhelming, with rough shifts and poor ride quality, especially with the 20-inch wheels. Fuel economy was also unimpressive, with the four-cylinder engine achieving 22 mpg combined with FWD and the VR6 engine getting 19 mpg combined.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was powered by a turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four engine, delivering 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. It featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with eight programmed ratios and paddle shifters. While the engine was strong, the CVT's droning and soft simulated gear changes detracted from the driving experience. The Outback Wilderness excelled off-road, thanks to its 9.5 inches of ground clearance, all-terrain tires, and advanced traction systems. It offered a commendable 24 mpg in combined driving, though real-world testing showed slightly lower figures.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas provided ample passenger and cargo space, with 96.8 cubic feet behind the front seats and 20.6 cubic feet with all seats up. It offered more third-row legroom than most competitors, but second-row legroom was lacking. The interior featured a logical layout of controls, with up to five USB ports and an optional wireless charging pad. The Atlas also boasted up to 17 cupholders, though forward visibility was less than optimal.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured StarTex upholstery, which was water-repellant but could be uncomfortable in hot weather. The interior offered generous rear seat room and a cargo area measuring 32.5 cubic feet behind the rear seat, expanding to 75.7 cubic feet with the seat folded flat. The Outback Wilderness also had a robust roof rack with a 700-pound static load rating, ideal for rooftop camping.

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 higher trims featured an 8-inch screen. The Digital Cockpit was available on select trims, offering a 10.3-inch digital display. The Atlas also introduced a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, supporting up to four devices.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was equipped with an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, dominating the center dashboard. While it had physical knobs for volume and tuning, most functions required the touchscreen. The voice recognition technology was less intuitive, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto offered better voice assistant functionality. The Outback Wilderness lacked a premium sound system, which was available on other trims.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas received top ratings in IIHS crash tests, with a "marginal" rating for child-seat anchors and mixed headlight ratings. It offered standard 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.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured the EyeSight advanced driving assistance system, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance. It also had steering-responsive headlights and a blind-spot warning system. The Outback Wilderness's EyeSight technology was effective, providing Level 2 ADAS capabilities. The standard Outback earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from IIHS.