2020 Nissan Murano vs 2021 Volkswagen Atlas

The 2020 Nissan Murano had a design that echoed the last generation of Nissan products. Despite a 2019 update that included a refreshed grille, redesigned LED headlights and taillights, added fog lights, new wheel designs, and additional paint color choices, the Murano’s exterior remained attractive but not particularly modern. This became more apparent as newer models like the redesigned Nissan Pathfinder and Armada debuted, leaving the Murano looking somewhat dated. The Murano was available in S, SV, SL, and Platinum grades, with midrange and higher trims receiving more standard features. The interior, especially in the Platinum grade, featured premium materials but had a dated design, particularly in the center stack, console, and steering wheel.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas received a styling refresh that included new front and rear bumpers, standard LED headlights and taillights with new designs, and a new grille shared with the two-row Atlas Cross Sport model. These changes added 2.4 inches to the length of the Atlas, giving it a more extroverted look compared to the conservatively-styled 2020 model. The Atlas rode on the same MQB platform as before, with S and SE trims getting 18-inch alloy wheels, while higher trims received 20-inch wheels. The R-Line package added sportier-looking front and rear bumpers and side skirts. The interior of the Atlas was minimalist, with a focus on functionality, although material quality in mid-level trims was below average, with cheap-feeling plastics and simulated wood and metal trim.

The 2020 Nissan Murano featured a standard 3.5-liter V6 engine that delivered 260 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque. While not the quickest off the line, the Murano performed well on the highway, overtaking other vehicles with ease. The powertrain included a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that operated quietly, contributing to a "library level" sound in the cabin. The Murano achieved an EPA-estimated 20 mpg in the city, 28 mpg on the highway, and 23 mpg combined. It came standard with front-wheel drive (FWD) and offered all-wheel drive (AWD) as an option. The Murano had a 1,500-pound towing capacity and a four-wheel independent suspension that provided a comfortable ride, although it exhibited some body lean during turns.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas offered two engine options: a standard 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four producing 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.6-liter VR6 engine rated at 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with standard FWD and optional 4Motion AWD. The AWD system could send power to the rear wheels when needed. The driving experience with the base 2.0-liter engine and AWD was underwhelming, with adequate acceleration but rough shifts and poor ride quality. The Atlas had a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds with the VR6 engine and 2,000 pounds with the four-cylinder engine. Fuel economy for the four-cylinder models was 22 mpg combined with FWD and 21 mpg with AWD, while VR6 models achieved 19 mpg combined with FWD and 18 mpg with AWD.

The 2020 Nissan Murano featured Zero Gravity seats, providing exceptional comfort for long drives. The Murano offered more headroom than the Lexus RX and more shoulder room in the second row. It had 32.1 cubic feet of cargo space with the second row upright and 67.0 cubic feet with the second row folded flat. The Murano's interior included dual-zone automatic climate control, keyless entry, and available features like leather-appointed seating, a heated steering wheel, and a dual-pane panoramic moonroof. However, the center console lacked practical storage space for smartphones.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas was designed as a family hauler with three rows of seats. It offered 96.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the front seats and 20.6 cubic feet with all seats up. The Atlas provided more third-row legroom than most competitors but had the worst second-row legroom in its class. The interior featured logically laid-out controls, up to five USB ports, and an optional wireless charging pad. The Atlas had a tall driving position but less-than-optimal forward visibility. It also offered up to 17 cupholders and available features like ultrasonic parking sensors, low-speed automatic braking, and active park assist.

The 2020 Nissan Murano came standard with an 8-inch infotainment system touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, four USB ports, Bluetooth, satellite radio, a six-speaker audio system, and voice recognition. Buyers could upgrade to an 11-speaker Bose audio system, HD Radio, and navigation. The Murano Platinum included NissanConnect Services, offering features like automatic collision notification, emergency call, and remote functionalities. An Amazon Alexa skill was also available.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas featured Bluetooth and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. The base S trim had a 6.5-inch infotainment touchscreen, while other models had an 8-inch screen. Higher trims offered Volkswagen’s Digital Cockpit, replacing analog gauges with a 10.3-inch digital display. The Atlas was set to receive the MIBIII infotainment system later in the model year, adding multi-phone pairing, improved voice recognition, and a redesigned navigation system. The base six-speaker audio system could be upgraded to a 12-speaker Fender audio system. The Atlas also included a built-in 4G LTE WiFi hotspot.

The 2020 Nissan Murano included Safety Shield 360 as standard on SV, SL, and Platinum trims, featuring forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, high beam assist, and rear automatic braking. The Murano received "good" ratings in most IIHS crash tests and a "superior" mark for front crash prevention. NHTSA ratings included five stars overall, with four stars in the rollover category.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas received "good" ratings in all IIHS crash tests, with "marginal" ratings for child-seat anchors and standard headlights. The 2020 model received a five-star overall rating from NHTSA, with five stars in frontal and side crash tests, and four stars in rollover tests. The Atlas included standard automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring, with adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist available on higher trims. Later in the model year, the Atlas was set to receive Travel Assist and Emergency Assist on SEL and SEL Premium trims.