Ford Edge vs Volkswagen Atlas

The 2021 Ford Edge maintained a consistent styling since its 2019 refresh, which successfully aligned its exterior with Ford's contemporary design language. This refresh gave the Edge a cleaner appearance compared to the more elaborate designs of competitors like the Chevy Blazer and Hyundai Santa Fe. The Edge Titanium models featured additional chrome accents, while the ST trim boasted a blacked-out grille, 20-inch wheels, and a body kit. The ST-Line offered similar styling without the performance enhancements. However, the interior of the Edge began to show its age, with a design that struggled to keep up with new features like a larger touchscreen. The Titanium models offered leather upholstery, and the ST models included sporty front seats with contrast stitching.

In contrast, the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas carried over with minor updates after significant changes in 2021. The lineup was simplified to include SE, SE with Technology, SEL, SEL R-Line, SEL R-Line Black, and SEL Premium R-Line trims. The SEL Premium R-Line trim featured standard R-Line design elements, including 21-inch wheels that enhanced its upscale look. The Atlas's interior was praised for its simplicity and premium flair, though some materials were criticized for their low-cost feel. Despite this, the Atlas offered a spacious and comfortable interior, accommodating seven passengers with ease. The SUV's large size was complemented by a relatively low step-in height, making it accessible for all passengers.

The 2021 Ford Edge primarily featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged EcoBoost four-cylinder engine, delivering 250 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered standard front-wheel drive with optional all-wheel drive. The Edge ST model came with a more powerful EcoBoost twin-turbo 2.7-liter V6 engine, producing 335 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque, standard all-wheel drive, and model-specific suspension tuning. The Edge ST's performance was compared to the Porsche Macan, though this was seen as a stretch. The Edge's towing capacity ranged from 3,958 pounds for the base model to 4,525 pounds for the V6-powered ST.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas offered a standard turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, requiring premium fuel for maximum output. It was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and available in front-wheel or all-wheel drive. The turbo-four's towing capacity was limited to 2,000 pounds, but it offered better fuel economy than the available 3.6-liter V6 engine. The V6, producing 276 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque, could tow up to 5,000 pounds but was criticized for its lack of refinement and power. The Atlas featured various driving modes and an Active Control system for different conditions. Despite its size, the Atlas was easy to maneuver, though its ride quality was mixed, with some road noise and a busy ride on certain surfaces.

The 2021 Ford Edge offered competitive interior space, with the most rear-seat headroom among two-row midsize crossovers and ample legroom. It provided 39.2 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 73.4 cubic feet with them folded. A foot-activated power liftgate was available on higher trims. The center console featured a rotary shift knob to free up space, though the console's narrow width limited its utility.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas excelled in interior space, seating seven comfortably, even in the third row. The Atlas SE with Technology added tri-zone climate control, while the SEL trim included ambient lighting and a panoramic sunroof. The SEL Premium R-Line offered genuine leather upholstery and ventilated front seats. Cargo space was exceptional, 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 down. The Atlas also featured numerous storage areas, though many were unlined, leading to unwanted noise.

The 2021 Ford Edge was equipped with Ford's Sync 4 infotainment system, featuring a 12-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM with 360L, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The Edge ST models included a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system. The system's simple graphics and menu layouts were user-friendly, and the Edge offered four USB ports, including two rear USB ports.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas came standard with the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit, featuring an 8-inch display that expanded to 10.25 inches on SEL trims. The Atlas SE had a 6.5-inch touchscreen, while other trims featured the MIB3 infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and wireless charging. The Car-Net connected services offered various plans, including remote access and emergency assistance. The SEL Premium R-Line included a 12-speaker Fender premium sound system. However, the user experience was hindered by slow loading times and a cumbersome process for tuning the radio. The navigation system's voice recognition was also inconsistent, making Apple CarPlay or Android Auto a better option.

The 2021 Ford Edge was an IIHS "Top Safety Pick," earning top ratings in crash tests and front crash prevention tech. However, it received lower ratings for vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention and headlight performance. The NHTSA awarded the Edge a five-star overall safety rating. Standard safety features included automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and forward-collision warning. Adaptive cruise control and Evasive Steering Assist were available on higher trims.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas offered a comprehensive list of safety features, including automatic post-collision braking, Front Assist, Side Assist, and Rear Traffic Alert. The SE with Technology added adaptive cruise control and parking sensors. The SEL trim included IQ Drive features like Lane Assist and Travel Assist. However, the Lane Assist system had issues with old construction markings, and the parking sensors were overly sensitive. The Atlas did not earn a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, and its NHTSA frontal-impact ratings were four stars.