2021 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe offered a diverse range of trims, each with distinct styling elements that set them apart. The base LS and popular LT trims featured different grille patterns, while the sporty RST trim boasted a slotted grille, blacked-out appearance, and 22-inch wheels. The rugged Z71 trim combined the LS grille with a blacked-out look, red tow hooks, a skid plate, and unique 20-inch wheels with all-terrain tires. The upscale Premier trim adopted the RST’s slotted grille with chrome accents, and the luxurious High Country trim showcased a chrome bar grille and large 22-inch wheels. The Tahoe’s design was characterized by its dominant grille, standard LED headlights, and expressive taillights. Despite its familiar design themes, the new Tahoe appeared more slab-sided, with larger wheels enhancing its overall look.

Inside, the Tahoe featured a 10.2-inch infotainment screen and new electronic transmission controls, improving storage capacity but compromising control layout. The interior quality met expectations, with exposed stitching and soft-touch surfaces in the upper cabin, while the lower half was covered in hard plastic. The Tahoe LS came with cloth seats, while leather was standard from the LT trim onwards. The Premier trim added perforated leather, and the High Country offered perforated and textured leather options. Prices ranged from $57,048 for the base LS to $81,448 for the High Country, with the tested Z71 trim priced at $80,293, including various option packages and destination charges.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas underwent a styling refresh, featuring new front and rear bumpers, standard LED headlights and taillights, and a new grille shared with the Atlas Cross Sport model. These changes added 6 centimetres to the Atlas’s length, giving it a more extroverted look compared to the previous model. The R-Line trim package added sportier-looking bumpers and side skirts. Despite these cosmetic changes, the Atlas retained its MQB platform, shared with other VW models. The Trendline and Comfortline trims came with 18-inch alloy wheels, while the Highline and Execline models featured 20-inch wheels, with the R-Line package offering 21-inch wheels.

The Atlas’s interior followed a minimalist approach, with controls sensibly laid out. It offered a standard seven-seat configuration, with second-row captain’s chairs available on higher trims. While the overall design was functional, the material quality on the mid-level test car was below average, with cheap-feeling plastics and simulated wood and metal trim. The Atlas provided decent passenger and cargo space, with 2,741 litres of cargo volume behind the front seats and 583 litres with all seats up. However, second-row legroom was limited, and the standard bench seat was uncomfortable. The Atlas featured a tall driving position, but forward visibility was less than optimal.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe offered three engine options. The standard 5.3-litre V8 engine, available in all trims except the High Country, delivered 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque. The High Country trim featured an exclusive 6.2-litre V8 engine, producing 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. A turbocharged 3.0-litre diesel inline six-cylinder engine, offering 277 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, was available for all trims except the Z71. The Tahoe’s 10-speed automatic transmission powered the rear wheels, with a four-wheel-drive system optional on base trims and standard on others. The Z71 trim included a two-speed transfer case, hill descent control, and all-terrain tires.

The Tahoe’s towing capacity reached up to 3,810 kilograms, with a payload capacity of 831 kilograms. The major engineering change for the 2021 model was the adoption of an independent rear suspension, improving ride quality, handling, and interior comfort. The Tahoe also offered Magnetic Ride Control suspension with adaptive dampers and an Air Ride suspension option, enhancing ride quality and ground clearance. The Z71 trim impressed with its smooth ride quality, thanks to its independent rear suspension and adaptive damping. The 5.3-litre V8 engine and 10-speed automatic transmission provided ample power and a satisfying V8 rumble. The engine’s Dynamic Fuel Management technology improved fuel efficiency, with a combined driving estimate of 13.5 litres per 100 kilometres.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas offered two engine options. The standard 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four engine produced 235 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque on premium fuel. A 3.6-litre VR6 engine, available on all trims except the base, delivered 276 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard 4Motion all-wheel drive. The 4Motion system defaulted to front-wheel drive under low load to save fuel but could send power to the rear wheels when needed.

The Atlas’s driving experience with the base 2.0-litre engine was underwhelming, with adequate acceleration and somewhat rough shifts. Despite its multilink independent rear suspension, the Atlas exhibited truck-like handling and poor ride quality, with every pavement imperfection felt in the cabin. The AWD system included an Active Control feature with different drive modes, but it didn’t improve on-road handling. The Atlas’s towing capacity reached 2,267 kilograms with the VR6 engine, while the base four-cylinder engine was limited to 900 kilograms. Fuel efficiency ratings were unimpressive, with the four-cylinder engine rated at 10.9 litres per 100 kilometres combined and the VR6 engine at 12.9 litres per 100 kilometres combined.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe benefited from its new independent rear suspension, which improved passenger comfort and cargo space. The test vehicle featured heated power-adjustable front seats and a heated steering wheel, with ventilated seats available on higher trims. The power sliding storage console was a recommended feature, providing a large storage tray and a locking drawer for valuables. The second row offered a choice between a bench seat or individual captain’s chairs, with the latter option providing comfort and easy access to the third row. The third-row seat room was substantially improved, accommodating adults comfortably. The Tahoe offered 722 litres of cargo space behind the rear seat, 2,056 litres with the rear seat folded, and a maximum volume of 3,480 litres.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas provided average passenger and cargo space for its segment, with 2,741 litres of cargo volume behind the front seats and 583 litres with all seats up. The Atlas offered more third-row legroom than most competitors, but second-row legroom was limited, and the standard bench seat was uncomfortable. Folding and raising the second- and third-row seats was straightforward, and third-row access was easy thanks to a sliding second-row bench. The Atlas’s controls were logically laid out, with up to five USB ports and a wireless charging pad available. The Atlas featured a tall driving position, but forward visibility was less than optimal. It offered up to 17 cupholders, providing ample beverage storage for passengers.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe featured a standard 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with a new digital platform offering enhanced computing power, over-the-air updates, and cybersecurity protection. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, a voice-recognition system, and Chevrolet Connected Services. Navigation and two Bose premium audio systems were available as upgrades. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with a tablet-like interface, but the main-menu shortcut icons were somewhat hard to use. The voice-recognition system was impressive, responding accurately to natural speech. The test vehicle included a Rear Seat Media system, offering versatility for rear passengers.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas came with Bluetooth and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. The base trim featured a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system, while other models had an 8-inch screen with satellite radio. Volkswagen’s Digital Cockpit was available on higher trims, replacing analog gauges with a 10.3-inch digital display. The Atlas was set to receive VW’s new MIBIII infotainment system later in the model year, offering multi-phone pairing, improved voice recognition, and a redesigned navigation system. The test car’s 8-inch screen was easy to navigate but lacked visual appeal. The base audio system was decent, with a 12-speaker Fender audio system available on the Execline trim.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe included standard safety features such as Teen Driver, a rear-seat reminder system, forward collision alert with pedestrian detection, and low-speed automatic emergency braking. Higher trims offered additional features like lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic warning. Premier and High Country trims included adaptive cruise control, high-speed automatic emergency braking, and a Safety Alert Seat. The Tahoe’s available surround-view camera was recommended for maneuvering in tight spaces. As of the review’s publication, the Tahoe had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas received top “good” ratings in all IIHS crash tests, with 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 featured standard 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 sophisticated driver aids later in the model year, including Travel Assist and Emergency Assist on Execline trims.