Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs Volkswagen Atlas

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, four years into its lifecycle, received a refresh that maintained its upright stance, low belt line, and large windows. However, the new illuminated grille and welcome-lighting sequence gave it a modern vibe, inspired by the all-electric Wagoneer S. The Upland trim added front recovery hooks that enhanced utility without compromising the elegant design. Inside, the Grand Wagoneer boasted a modern interior with clean design and strong horizontal lines. Although the 12-inch infotainment screen seemed small for such a large vehicle, it was complemented by redundant HVAC and audio controls. The seats, while plain in appearance, were comfortable and highly adjustable, making long drives pleasant. The cabin's trim and material usage leaned towards premium, with options for Nappa and Palermo leather and a suede headliner, contributing to a solid fit and finish.

The 2027 Volkswagen Atlas presented a challenge for its designers, tasked with updating an already beautiful vehicle. The redesign mostly succeeded, with a crisp character line and flared wheel arches giving it a robust profile. The rear featured cascading taillights with selectable lighting animations, though the honeycomb lower diffuser was less appealing. The front, however, was less successful, with stacked headlights and a misplaced VW badge creating a cluttered appearance. Wheel sizes varied across trims, with the SEL Premium R-Line sporting 21-inch machined wheels that looked better in person. Inside, the Atlas made significant improvements, with real wood on the dash and various leather options enhancing the cabin's feel. Ambient lighting options added a unique touch, though the piano-black plastic remained a fingerprint magnet. Overall, the Atlas's interior felt more luxurious than its price suggested.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer featured a standard 3.0-liter Hurricane twin-turbo inline six-cylinder engine, delivering 420 horsepower and 468 pound-feet of torque. This engine provided smooth and effortless power, even for a vehicle weighing around 6,000 pounds. Although the high-output Hurricane engine was no longer available, the standard engine still offered impressive performance. The Grand Wagoneer was also set to receive a range-extended electric powertrain, promising 647 hp and 620 lb-ft of torque with a total range of over 500 miles. Despite its large size, the Grand Wagoneer was surprisingly agile and easy to drive, with excellent visibility and a quiet cabin.

The 2027 Volkswagen Atlas was powered by an updated EA888 engine, producing 282 horsepower from a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. Despite a reduction in torque to 258 pound-feet, the Atlas remained responsive, though the engine felt busy at times. The eight-speed automatic transmission provided smooth shifts, and all-wheel drive was available on most trims. The Atlas handled well, with tight steering and improved ride quality on 21-inch wheels. Fuel economy improved, with the EPA rating the Atlas at 25 mpg combined for FWD and 23 mpg for AWD. The Atlas also offered a 5,000-pound tow rating on most trims.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer excelled as a people mover, with three rows offering ample leg and hip room. The optional second-row bench seat allowed for up to eight passengers, and the third row was surprisingly spacious. Cargo space was 27.9 cubic feet behind the third row, expandable to 42.6 cubic feet with the long-wheelbase version. The Grand Wagoneer could tow up to 10,000 pounds and featured three-zone climate controls, heated-and-ventilated front seats, and Quadra-Lift air suspension for light off-roading.

The 2027 Volkswagen Atlas remained one of the roomiest SUVs in its class, with supportive front seats and a spacious second row. The R-Line trims added memory and thigh support, while the SEL Premium R-Line included massage functions. The second row offered ample legroom, and the third row provided genuine adult-friendly space with 34.1 inches of legroom. Cargo capacity was 21.2 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 55.9 cubic feet with the third row folded and 95.4 cubic feet with all rear seats down. Standard features included a hands-free power liftgate and dual cargo-area lights.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer came equipped with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 12-inch touchscreen, a 10.25-inch digital cluster, and a wireless phone charger. Higher trims offered a 23-speaker McIntosh sound system, a digital rearview mirror, and a front passenger interactive display. However, the wireless phone charger had issues, and the 12-inch screen felt small for the vehicle's size. Adjustable pedals were no longer available for 2026.

The 2027 Volkswagen Atlas featured a 15-inch touchscreen on most trims, with a 12.9-inch unit on the base SE. A 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster was standard, and the R-Line trims added a head-up display. The touchscreen handled most functions, with backlit climate and volume sliders. Device charging was plentiful, with two Qi2 wireless pads and seven USB-C ports. A nine-speaker stereo was standard, with a 14-speaker Harman Kardon system on the SEL Premium R-Line. Some features required a subscription, including Premium Navigation and a ChatGPT-powered voice assistant.

The 2026 Grand Wagoneer was equipped with numerous safety features, including lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitors, and a driver-attention monitor. Available features included automated parking assist and a surround-view camera system. The Grand Wagoneer received mixed safety ratings, with a four-star rating from the NHTSA and a mix of Good and Marginal scores from the IIHS.

The 2027 Volkswagen Atlas had not yet been crash-tested by the IIHS or NHTSA, but the previous model received high ratings. The Atlas came standard with VW’s IQ.Drive suite, featuring automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitors, and adaptive cruise control. Emergency Assist Plus was a new feature, and a front center airbag brought the total to seven. The R-Line trims added predictive adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera.