2021 Dodge Durango vs 2022 Volkswagen Atlas

The 2021 Dodge Durango maintained its muscular and athletic styling, reminiscent of its Charger and Challenger siblings. Despite its third-generation design dating back to 2011, the Durango's exterior received updates for the 2021 model year, particularly evident in the high-performance SRT Hellcat model. This version featured a cold-air scoop, twin-pipe exhaust, LED headlamps, and a rear spoiler, enhancing its aggressive look. The Durango offered a variety of wheel options and a choice of 11 exterior colours, allowing for personalization. Inside, the cabin was updated with a new instrument panel and a choice of touchscreen sizes, running the advanced Uconnect 5 infotainment system. The interior materials ranged from cloth to premium leather, with options for contrast stitching and unique seat belt colours, adding a touch of flair.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas, following significant updates in 2021, carried over with minor modifications. It was available in four trim levels in Canada, with pricing ranging from $41,595 to $57,695. The Execline trim, the top of the line, featured R-Line design elements and 21-inch alloy wheels, giving the Atlas a more upscale appearance. The interior was praised for its simplicity and premium flair, though some materials were criticized for their low-cost feel. The Atlas offered a spacious and comfortable cabin, with ample room for passengers and cargo. However, the use of hard plastics and unlined storage areas detracted from the overall quality. Despite these drawbacks, the Atlas remained a practical choice for families, with its large interior and user-friendly features.

The 2021 Dodge Durango offered a range of engine options, including a 3.6-litre V6, a 5.7-litre HEMI V8, a 392 HEMI V8, and a supercharged 6.2-litre HEMI V8. The V6 engine, standard in the SXT, GT, and Citadel trims, produced up to 295 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. The R/T trim featured a 5.7-litre V8 with 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, while the SRT 392 boasted a 392 HEMI V8 delivering 475 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. The SRT Hellcat's supercharged 6.2-litre V8 generated an impressive 710 hp and 645 lb-ft of torque, providing exhilarating performance. The Durango's eight-speed automatic transmission ensured smooth shifts, and its steering offered a connected feel. However, the chassis showed its age, with a suspension that transmitted bumps to the cabin. The Durango's towing capacity reached 8,700 pounds with the Tow N Go Package, and the SRT models included performance features like SRT Performance Pages.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas came with a standard turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine in the Trendline, Comfortline, and Highline trims, producing 235 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. The V6 engine, optional for Comfortline and Highline and standard for Execline, delivered 276 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque. While the V6 offered a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, its performance was considered leisurely, and the engine design felt outdated. The Atlas featured an 8-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD, with driving modes like Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual. The 4Motion AWD system provided Active Control calibrations for various conditions. Despite its size, the Atlas was easy to maneuver, thanks to its cameras and sensors. However, the ride quality was mixed, with a busy ride on certain surfaces and noticeable road noise. The Atlas's handling was sound, but an adaptive-damping suspension option would have improved ride control.

The 2021 Dodge Durango excelled as a family hauler, offering comfortable seating and ample storage space. It accommodated up to seven passengers across three rows, with spacious front and second-row seats. The third row, standard in Canada, provided more room than many competitors, making it accessible and practical. The Durango's cargo space was average for its class, but its fit and finish had improved significantly over the years, earning awards for initial vehicle quality.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas stood out for its roomy interior and comfortable seats, accommodating seven passengers with ease. The step-in height was low, facilitating entry and exit, and rear side-window sunshades added convenience. The Atlas offered numerous storage areas, though many were unlined, leading to unwanted noise. Cargo space was exceptional, with 583 litres behind the third row, expandable to 2,741 litres with seats folded. The Atlas's interior was praised for its comfort and practicality, making it a top choice for families.

The 2021 Dodge Durango featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen on lower trims, while higher trims received a 10.1-inch screen with the Uconnect 5 system. This system was faster and more customizable than its predecessor, offering connected services, navigation, and wireless smartphone connectivity. The Durango also offered a rear-seat entertainment system with Blu-ray and DVD players. However, the analog speedometer was difficult to read, and a head-up display was not available.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas included the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit as standard, with an 8-inch display on lower trims and a 10.25-inch display on higher trims. The MIB3 infotainment system offered wireless smartphone connectivity, SiriusXM, and Car-Net connected services. However, the user experience was hindered by slow loading times and a cumbersome tuning process. Voice recognition was hit-and-miss, and the navigation system was not as reliable as smartphone alternatives. Despite these issues, the Atlas offered a comprehensive suite of technology features.

The 2021 Dodge Durango lagged behind competitors in safety features, with a standard back-up camera and passive safety features. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The IIHS rated the Durango as Marginal for small overlap frontal impact, while the NHTSA gave it a five-star side crash-test rating and a four-star front crash and rollover rating.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas offered a robust list of safety features, including automatic post-collision braking, Front Assist, Side Assist, and Rear Traffic Alert. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control, parking sensors, and advanced lighting systems. However, the Lane Assist technology had issues with pavement scars and exit ramps. The Atlas received decent crash-test ratings but did not earn a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS. The NHTSA awarded it four-star ratings for frontal impact tests.