2023 Dodge Durango vs 2022 Volkswagen Atlas

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas carried over with minor modifications from the previous year, simplifying its lineup to six trim levels: SE, SE with Technology, SEL, SEL R-Line, SEL R-Line Black, and SEL Premium R-Line. The Atlas featured more standard equipment across most models, with pricing ranging from $34,355 to $51,505, plus a $1,195 destination charge. The SEL Premium R-Line trim, with its 21-inch wheels and R-Line design elements, gave the Atlas a more upscale appearance. However, the interior, while designed with simplicity and a premium flair, suffered from low-cost materials and an abundance of hard, shiny plastics, which detracted from the overall quality.

The 2023 Dodge Durango, entering its 12th model year without a redesign, maintained its attractive, clean, almost car-like styling. The Durango avoided the trend of oversized grilles, opting for slim styling with forward-leaning headlights and a large lower air intake. The SRT 392 and SRT Hellcat models featured unique styling elements, including a Viper-like hood and distinctive wheels. The Durango also offered various appearance packages, such as the Blacktop Package and Hemi Orange appearance package, adding to its visual appeal. The interior, while not as distinctive as the exterior, provided a comfortable and well-equipped space, especially in higher trims like the Citadel and SRT models.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas offered two engine options: a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and a 3.6-liter V6 engine. The turbocharged engine produced 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, requiring premium fuel for maximum output. It had a maximum towing capacity of 2,000 pounds and an EPA fuel economy rating of 22-23 mpg combined. The V6 engine, standard on higher trims, generated 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, with a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds and a fuel economy rating of 19-20 mpg combined. The Atlas featured various driving modes and an optional 4Motion AWD system with Active Control calibrations. However, the V6 engine's lack of power, efficiency, and refinement led to dissatisfaction, and the ride quality was mixed, with a busy ride on certain surfaces and added body float on undulating pavement.

The 2023 Dodge Durango offered a range of powertrains, starting with the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine, producing 293-295 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. The 5.7-liter Hemi V8 engine, standard on the R/T trim, delivered 360 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque. The SRT 392 model featured a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 engine with 475 horsepower and 475 pound-feet of torque, achieving a 0-60 mph time of 4.4 seconds. The SRT Hellcat model, with its 6.2-liter supercharged V8 engine, produced 710 horsepower and 645 pound-feet of torque, reaching 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds. The Durango's performance was impressive, with adaptive-damping suspension, Pirelli P Zero performance tires, and Brembo brakes providing excellent handling and control.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas offered a spacious and comfortable interior, seating seven people with ease. The discontinuation of the base S trim level meant cloth seats were no longer available, with V-Tex leatherette seating becoming standard. Higher trims added features like tri-zone automatic climate control, ambient cabin lighting, a panoramic sunroof, and genuine leather upholstery. The Atlas provided exceptional cargo space, with 20.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 55.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 96.8 cubic feet with the second row folded. However, the unlined storage areas caused items to vibrate and slide around, creating unwanted noise.

The 2023 Dodge Durango offered both seven-seat and six-seat configurations, with second-row captain's chairs available on higher trims. The Durango's interior space was competitive with other three-row midsize SUVs, providing ample headroom and legroom across all three rows. Cargo space was slightly less than some competitors, with 17.2 cubic feet behind the third row, 43.3 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 85.1 cubic feet behind the first row. The Durango excelled in towing capacity, with V6 models capable of towing up to 6,200 pounds and V8 models up to 8,700 pounds. However, the lack of a power-folding third row on higher trims was a drawback.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas came standard with the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrument cluster, featuring an 8-inch display on lower trims and a 10.25-inch display on higher trims. The SE trim had a 6.5-inch touchscreen with the last-generation infotainment system, while higher trims featured the next-generation MIB3 system with an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and various connected services. The user experience was hindered by slow loading times, a cumbersome tuning process, and limited voice recognition capabilities without a subscription to the Car-Net Hotspot plan.

The 2023 Dodge Durango featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on SXT and GT models, while the Citadel and SRT models had a 10.1-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The larger screen used the Uconnect 5 system, which was responsive and easy to use. The SRT models included the Performance Pages app, providing performance information and additional gauges. A 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system was available on the SRT Hellcat model.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas offered a comprehensive list of safety features, including automatic post-collision braking, forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, lane-centering assistance, and emergency assist. However, the Lane Assist technology had issues with old construction markings and exit ramps, and the system could not be easily disabled while driving. The Atlas received four-star ratings in frontal-impact tests from the NHTSA and did not earn a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.

The 2023 Dodge Durango received mixed results in IIHS crash tests, with top "Good" marks in some tests but a "Marginal" score in the driver-side small overlap front test. The NHTSA gave the Durango a four-star overall safety rating, with five stars in the side crash test and four stars in the frontal crash test. RWD models received four stars in the rollover test, while AWD models received three stars. Standard driver-assist tech was limited, with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert standard on all trims, but forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking only standard on the Citadel trim.