2021 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2022 Volvo XC90

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas received a styling refresh that included new front and rear bumpers, standard LED headlights and taillights, and a new grille. These changes added 2.4 inches to the length of the vehicle, giving it a more extroverted look compared to the 2020 model. The R-Line trim package added sportier-looking front and rear bumpers and 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 in the mid-level SE with Technology trim was below average, with cheap-feeling plastics and simulated wood and metal trim.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 had a great stance and a sleek profile, with a long roofline and pronounced wheel arches that emphasized its athleticism. The interior was described as "Scandinavian Modern" and "Swedish Luxury," featuring natural wood and metal trim, a sliding wood tambor cover on the center console, and a clear crystal gear selector handle. Volvo committed to going leather-free by 2030, but the XC90 could still be fitted with Nappa leather. The non-leather option was a "tailored wool blend" upholstery, which Volvo promised was easy to care for and long-lasting. The XC90's interior was designed to be a sanctuary from the weather, with a highly effective air-conditioning system that performed well even during a heat wave.

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 paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with standard front-wheel drive (FWD) and 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 an Active Control feature with different drive modes, but it lacked a four-wheel drive system with low range, making it best suited for pavement. The VR6 models could tow up to 5,000 pounds, while the four-cylinder models were limited to 2,000 pounds. 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 Volvo XC90 came with three powertrain options: the T5 with a turbocharged 2.0-liter gasoline four-cylinder producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, the T6 with a supercharged and turbocharged version of that engine producing 316 hp and 295 lb-ft, and the T8 plug-in hybrid with a combined 455 hp and 523 lb-ft of torque. The T5 models were available with FWD or AWD, while the T6 and T8 models were AWD only. All XC90 models used a conventional eight-speed automatic transmission. The T8 had an EV range of up to 36 miles and could be charged in about five hours at 240 volts. The driving experience in the XC90 was superb, with minimal body roll and spirited acceleration, especially in the T8 Inscription extended range model. The electric motor provided early torque, eliminating turbo lag and smoothing out power delivery.

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 Volvo XC90 came in six-passenger and seven-passenger configurations, with easy access to the third row via a one-handed slide and fold of the second row. The third row was suitable for kids but lacked legroom and thigh support for adults. The XC90 could carry up to 15.9 cubic feet of luggage behind the third row, 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 85.7 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded. It could tow between 4,000 and 5,000 pounds, depending on the configuration. The XC90's interior featured ample storage space, comfortable seating, and a standard laminated panoramic moonroof. The air-conditioning system performed exceptionally well, even during a heat wave.

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. Higher trim levels featured Volkswagen’s Digital Cockpit, 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 new for 2021, supporting up to four devices with service provided by Verizon.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system, which offered tablet-like functionality with familiar smartphone gestures. The system had a nine-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel. The $1,650 Advanced package included a head-up display, a 360-degree surround view camera system, and an advanced air cleaner. The XC90 came with standard Harman Kardon Premium Sound, with a $3,200 Bowers & Wilkins upgrade available. The XC90 included two front USB-A ports, two rear USB-C ports, and a WiFi hotspot with a complimentary trial subscription. The Volvo Care smartphone app was free for four years, providing remote lock/unlock function and other vehicle controls.

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 Volvo XC90 came with a long list of safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, parking assist, rain-sensing wipers, lane-keeping aid, adaptive cruise control, and road-sign recognition. Volvo's Pilot Assist system combined several safety features to keep the car in its lane with minimal driver intervention on highways. The XC90 received the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.