2021 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a range of trim levels, including Essential, Preferred, Luxury, and Ultimate, with the latter two featuring a turbocharged engine for enhanced power and performance. All-wheel drive was standard on all Canadian trims except the Essential, where it was an optional upgrade. The Santa Fe's design was bold and experimental, with a distinctive grille shape, stacked lighting elements, and unique fender stampings. Inside, the SUV featured a dramatic dual-cowl dashboard design and high-contrast interior colours, although the materials used were not as impressive as the design itself. Despite this, the build quality was excellent, and the controls were refined.

In contrast, the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas received a styling refresh, including new bumpers, LED headlights and taillights, and a new grille. The Atlas had a more extroverted look compared to its predecessor, although some elements like the fake chrome exhaust tips were less appealing. The interior of the Atlas was minimalist, with a focus on functionality rather than decoration. The standard seating configuration included three rows, with the option for second-row captain’s chairs on higher trims. While the design was pleasing, the material quality was below average, with cheap-feeling plastics and simulated wood and metal trim.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe came with a standard 185-horsepower 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine, but the turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine was the preferred choice, offering 235 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. This engine provided better performance, especially at higher altitudes, and was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Santa Fe had a towing capacity of 1,587 kilograms and offered decent fuel efficiency, with the turbocharged engine consuming 12.0 L/100 km in the city and 9.2 on the highway. The driving experience was smooth and quiet, with good handling and braking, although it lacked driver engagement.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas offered two engine options: a 235-horsepower 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four and a 276-horsepower 3.6-litre VR6. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard 4Motion all-wheel drive. The driving experience with the base engine was underwhelming, with rough shifts and poor ride quality. The Atlas had a towing capacity of 2,267 kilograms with the VR6 engine, but the four-cylinder engine was limited to 900 kilograms. Fuel efficiency was not impressive, with the four-cylinder engine rated at 10.9 L/100 km combined and the VR6 at 12.9 L/100 km combined.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe was designed with thoughtful attention to detail, offering creative storage spaces and stain-resistant fabric. The interior featured comfortable, power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, and a heated steering wheel. The back seat was spacious and comfortable, with air conditioning vents and reclining seats. However, the Santa Fe fell short in cargo space, offering 1,017 litres behind the rear seat and 2,019 litres with the rear seats folded. A hands-free “smart” liftgate was a convenient feature, opening automatically when the key fob was detected nearby.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas was a three-row crossover designed for families, offering 2,741 litres of cargo space behind the front seats and 583 litres with all seats up. While it provided more third-row legroom than most competitors, the second-row legroom was lacking, and the bench seat was uncomfortable. The Atlas featured a well-laid-out interior with easy-to-reach controls and up to five USB ports. It also offered a tall driving position, although forward visibility was limited. The Atlas included standard ultrasonic parking sensors and available active park assist.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe featured a user-friendly touchscreen infotainment system with stereo control knobs, main menu shortcut buttons, and Bluetooth connectivity. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with SiriusXM satellite radio and Blue Link connected services available on higher trims. The Ultimate trim added a larger display, navigation system, wireless smartphone charging, and a 12-speaker Infinity surround sound system. A head-up display provided important information within the driver’s line of sight, and the voice recognition system was sophisticated and responsive.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas came with Bluetooth and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. The base trim had a 6.5-inch touchscreen, while higher trims featured an 8-inch screen with satellite radio. The Digital Cockpit was available on higher trims, replacing analog gauges with a digital display. The Atlas was set to receive the MIBIII infotainment system later in the model year, offering improved features. The base audio system was decent, with a 12-speaker Fender audio system available on the Execline trim.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe earned a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS. It offered a range of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance. A rear-seat reminder system was standard, and higher trims included blind-spot monitoring and a Blind View Monitor.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas received top ratings in IIHS crash tests, with mixed headlight ratings. The 2020 model received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. The Atlas included standard automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring, with adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist available on higher trims. The Execline trim was set to receive advanced driver aids later in the model year.