2020 Ford Explorer vs 2021 Volkswagen Atlas

The 2020 Ford Explorer was a striking vehicle, boasting a more refined and athletic design compared to its predecessors. Its widened headlights, large grille, and distinctive "Explorer" lettering on the hood gave it a recognizable and upscale appearance. The ST version, with its blacked-out trim and sporty features, was particularly eye-catching. However, the interior did not match the exterior's appeal. Despite the high price tag, the materials used inside felt subpar, with low-grade vinyl and hard plastics dominating the cabin. The Explorer's interior lacked the luxury feel expected at its price point, making it less appealing compared to more affordable competitors like the Kia Telluride and Toyota Highlander.

In contrast, the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas received a styling refresh that gave it a more extroverted look, with new bumpers, LED headlights, and a redesigned grille. The R-Line trim added sportier elements, enhancing its visual appeal. Despite these cosmetic changes, the Atlas retained its boxy, high-riding utility vehicle form. Inside, VW adopted a minimalist approach, with a focus on functionality over decoration. The interior was spacious, offering a standard seven-seat configuration, but the material quality was below average, with cheap plastics and faux trim. The Atlas provided a practical and straightforward interior layout, but it lacked the premium feel found in some competitors.

The 2020 Ford Explorer offered a range of powerful engine options, with the ST trim featuring a 3.0-litre EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 producing 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive in Canada, delivered smooth and addictive power. The Explorer's rear-wheel-drive chassis provided excellent weight distribution, enhancing its nimble handling and cornering capabilities. The Explorer also offered a 2.3-litre turbo inline-four engine with 300 horsepower and a gas-electric hybrid option. However, the hybrid's fuel efficiency gains were minimal compared to the additional cost. The Explorer's towing capacity varied by engine, with the V6 capable of towing up to 2,540 kilograms.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas came with two engine options: a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four producing 235 horsepower and a 3.6-litre VR6 with 276 horsepower. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard 4Motion all-wheel drive. The Atlas's driving experience was underwhelming, with rough shifts and truck-like handling. The ride quality was poor, with occupants feeling every road imperfection. The Atlas offered different drive modes, but they did not improve on-road handling. The VR6 models had a towing capacity of 2,267 kilograms, while the four-cylinder models were limited to 900 kilograms. The Atlas's fuel efficiency was unimpressive, with the four-cylinder engine consuming more fuel than some competitors' V6 engines.

The 2020 Ford Explorer excelled in interior space, offering ample headroom and legroom for passengers, even in the third row. The second row felt luxurious with air vents, USB ports, and a panoramic moonroof. However, the third-row bench was flat and uncomfortable for long journeys. The Explorer's cargo space was generous, with 509 litres behind the third row, 1,359 litres behind the second row, and 2,491 litres with all seats folded. The Explorer's controls were intuitive, with physical knobs and switches, but the thick D-pillars and fuzzy cameras created blind spots.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas provided average passenger and cargo space, with 2,741 litres behind the front seats and 583 litres with all seats up. It offered more third-row legroom than most competitors, but at the expense of second-row legroom. The second-row bench was uncomfortable, with thin cushions. The Atlas's controls were logically laid out, with up to five USB ports and a wireless charging pad. It featured a tall driving position, but forward visibility was limited. The Atlas offered up to 17 cupholders, catering to family needs, but its overall interior comfort was lacking.

The 2020 Ford Explorer came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen featuring Sync 3 infotainment, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G Wi-Fi hotspot. Higher trims offered a 10-inch vertical touchscreen and a 12-inch digital instrument cluster. The Explorer's tech was user-friendly, but the digital instrument panel felt unfinished, with wasted screen space and limited customization. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ system offered semi-automated driving features, but its lane-tracking capabilities were not as advanced as competitors.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas featured Bluetooth and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. The base model had a 6.5-inch touchscreen, while higher trims offered an 8-inch screen with satellite radio. The Digital Cockpit was available on higher trims, replacing analog gauges with a 10.3-inch digital display. The Atlas's infotainment system was easy to navigate, but the displays were plain and text-heavy. The base audio system was decent, with a 12-speaker Fender audio system available on the Execline trim.

The 2020 Ford Explorer came standard with Ford Co-Pilot 360, which included forward automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, auto high beams, and lane-keep assist. It also featured adaptive cruise control with steering assist and reverse braking. The Explorer received a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA and was rated as a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas received top ratings in IIHS crash tests, but had a "marginal" rating for child-seat anchors and mixed headlight ratings. The NHTSA had not published ratings for the 2021 model, but the 2020 model received a five-star overall rating. The Atlas came standard with 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.