2021 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2020 Subaru Outback

The 2020 Subaru Outback maintained its winning formula by focusing on incremental improvements, particularly in utility, safety, and performance. The model was built on Subaru’s Global Platform, enhancing structural rigidity by 70%. The base 2.5-litre engine, though appearing similar to its predecessor, was redesigned with 90% new parts, offering 182 horsepower. For those seeking more power, the 2.4-litre turbocharged engine from the Ascent was available in higher trims. Externally, changes were subtle, with noticeable updates to the head- and taillights. Inside, the Outback introduced an 11.6-inch touchscreen on all but the base trim, alongside innovative tech like DriverFocus, which used facial recognition to adjust settings and monitor driver alertness.

In Canada, the Outback was available in seven trims, starting with the Convenience trim at an MSRP of $30,695. This base model included features like heated front seats, keyless entry, and a suite of safety features. The Touring trim, priced at $34,795, added the larger touchscreen, dual-zone climate control, and blind-spot monitoring. The Limited trim offered leather upholstery and a Harman Kardon stereo for $38,995. The Premier trim, at $40,995, featured Nappa leather and ventilated seats. The Outdoor XT trim, priced at $38,695, included the turbo engine and performance upgrades. The Limited XT and Premier XT trims followed, adding the turbo engine for $41,795 and $43,795, respectively.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas received a styling refresh, featuring new front and rear bumpers, LED headlights and taillights, and a new grille, adding 6 centimetres to its length. The Atlas adopted a more extroverted look, though some found the fake chrome exhaust tips unappealing. The R-Line trim added sportier bumpers and side skirts. Despite cosmetic changes, the Atlas retained its MQB platform, shared with other VW models. The Trendline and Comfortline trims featured 18-inch wheels, while Highline and Execline models had 20-inch wheels, with 21-inch wheels available on the Execline R-Line.

Inside, the Atlas took a minimalist approach, with a standard seven-seat configuration and available second-row captain’s chairs. The base trim had cloth seats, while higher trims offered simulated or real leather. The interior design was functional, but material quality was below average, with cheap-feeling plastics and faux wood and metal trim. Despite these drawbacks, the Atlas provided a spacious interior with easy-to-use controls and up to five USB ports and a wireless charging pad.

The 2020 Subaru Outback offered two engine options: a 2.5-litre engine with 182 horsepower and a 2.4-litre turbocharged engine producing 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a CVT, tuned to mimic a traditional automatic transmission. The Outback's symmetrical AWD system provided consistent power delivery and improved handling, with 22.1 centimetres of ground clearance for off-road capability. The Outback's approach, departure, and breakover angles were 18.6, 21.7, and 19.4 degrees, respectively, making it capable of handling various terrains.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas offered a standard 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four engine with 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and an optional 3.6-litre VR6 engine with 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission with standard 4Motion AWD. The Atlas's driving experience was underwhelming, with rough shifts and poor ride quality. The AWD system included drive modes for different conditions, but handling remained truck-like. The VR6 models had a towing capacity of 2,267 kilograms, while the four-cylinder models were limited to 900 kilograms. Fuel efficiency was unimpressive, with the four-cylinder engine rated at 10.9 litres per 100 kilometres combined and the VR6 at 12.9 litres per 100 kilometres combined.

The 2020 Subaru Outback offered 920 litres of cargo space, expanding to 2,144 litres with the rear seats folded. The increase in cargo space was attributed to a wider rear wheel area. The Outback provided ample legroom and headroom, even for taller passengers, and its design prioritized visibility. However, the rear quarters had a significant blind spot, which could be mitigated with blind-spot monitoring.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas provided 2,741 litres of cargo space 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 seat was uncomfortable, with thin cushions. The Atlas featured a sliding second-row bench for easier third-row access. Controls were logically laid out, with up to five USB ports and a wireless charging pad. The Atlas had a tall driving position, but forward visibility was limited. Parking sensors and low-speed automatic braking were standard, with active park assist available on higher trims.

The 2020 Subaru Outback featured an 11.6-inch touchscreen, which was visually appealing but suffered from lag and buried climate-control functions. The system's camera resolution was also lacking, detracting from the overall experience.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas included Bluetooth and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. The base trim had a 6.5-inch touchscreen, while higher trims featured an 8-inch screen. The Digital Cockpit was available on higher trims, 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, offering improved features. The base audio system was decent, with a 12-speaker Fender audio system available on the Execline trim.

The 2020 Subaru Outback's safety features included standard AWD and a suite of safety technologies. However, the DriverFocus system was problematic, frequently issuing false alerts. The EyeSight system, while standard, could be obstructed by environmental factors, causing it to deactivate.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas received top ratings in IIHS crash tests, with mixed headlight ratings. The NHTSA had not rated the 2021 model, but the 2020 model received a five-star overall rating. 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.