2021 Dodge Durango vs 2022 Volkswagen Atlas

The 2021 Dodge Durango retained much of its exterior styling since its third generation debuted in 2011. Built alongside the Jeep Grand Cherokee in Detroit, the Durango maintained a distinct look, aligning more with Dodge's muscle cars like the Charger and Challenger. The 2021 model year saw revisions, especially in the new SRT Hellcat model, which featured a cold-air scoop, twin-pipe exhaust, LED headlamps, rear spoiler, and a redesigned front end. The Durango offered a variety of wheel options and came in 11 exterior colors with six interior color schemes. Inside, the 2021 updates included a new instrument panel and either an 8.4-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreen running the Uconnect 5 infotainment system. The interior materials ranged from cloth to premium leathers, with contrast stitching and unique seat belt colors adding a funky flavor.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas carried over with minor modifications after significant updates in 2021. The lineup was simplified to SE, SE with Technology, SEL, SEL R-Line, SEL R-Line Black, and SEL Premium R-Line trims. The SEL Premium R-Line trim featured 21-inch wheels with a machined finish, enhancing its upscale look. The Atlas's interior was praised for its simplicity and premium flair, though some materials felt low-cost. The SUV's large and boxy design made it appealing, but the wheel choices often failed to match its bold styling. The interior was spacious and comfortable, with a low step-in height and numerous storage areas, though many were unlined, causing unwanted noise. Cargo space was exceptional, with up to 96.8 cubic feet available when the second and third rows were folded down.

The 2021 Dodge Durango offered four engine options: a 3.6-liter V6, a 5.7-liter HEMI V8, a 392 HEMI V8, and a supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8. All engines were paired with eight-speed automatic transmissions, with rear-wheel drive standard and all-wheel drive optional. The V6 produced 293-295 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, while the 5.7-liter V8 delivered 360 hp and 390 lb-ft. The 392 HEMI V8 in the SRT 392 model offered 475 hp and 470 lb-ft, and the supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8 in the SRT Hellcat boasted 710 hp and 645 lb-ft. The Durango's steering was precise, but the chassis showed its age, with a reactionary suspension that transmitted bumps to the cabin. The Hellcat's brakes provided ample stopping power, even on the track. The R/T model with the Tow N Go Package had a towing capacity of 8,700 pounds, though acceleration with a trailer was slow but stable.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas came with a standard turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine for the SE, SE with Technology, and SEL trims, producing 235 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. The V6 engine, standard on higher trims, made 276 hp and 266 lb-ft. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and offered front-wheel drive or 4Motion all-wheel drive. The turbo-four had a towing capacity of 2,000 pounds, while the V6 could tow up to 5,000 pounds. The Atlas's driving modes included Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual, with additional Active Control calibrations for the AWD system. The V6 engine lacked power and refinement, leading to dissatisfaction, though Sport mode improved responsiveness. The Atlas's ride quality was generally comfortable, but the 21-inch wheels transmitted road noise and bumps to the cabin. The suspension tuning allowed for body float, affecting handling on undulating pavement.

The 2021 Dodge Durango excelled as a family hauler, offering comfortable seating, ample storage space, and family entertainment options. It seated up to seven across three rows, with spacious front and second-row seats and a more accommodating third row than many competitors. The Durango's cargo space was average for its class, functioning as advertised. Dodge's improvements in fit and finish were evident, with the Durango standing out compared to earlier models like the Journey and Grand Caravan.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas offered a roomy interior and comfortable seats, accommodating seven people, including adults in the third row. The step-in height was low, making it easy to enter and exit. The Atlas SE with Technology added tri-zone automatic climate control, while the SEL trim included ambient lighting, a power-adjustable front passenger seat, and a panoramic sunroof. The SEL Premium R-Line featured genuine leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated second-row seats. Cargo space was exceptional, with up to 96.8 cubic feet available when the second and third rows were folded down. However, many storage areas were unlined, causing unwanted noise.

The 2021 Dodge Durango featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen on the SXT and GT trims, with higher trims getting a 10.1-inch touchscreen running the new Uconnect 5 system. Uconnect 5 was five times faster than its predecessor and offered greater personalization, connected services, dual Bluetooth connections, Amazon Alexa, TomTom navigation, SiriusXM with 360L, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and over-the-air updates. The system was easy to navigate, with clear graphics and responsive touch. A family entertainment system with Blu-ray and DVD players and two 9-inch screens was available on higher trims. The gauge cluster's design made it difficult to read the exact speed, but the TomTom navigation system was a standout feature.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas included the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrument cluster as standard, with an 8-inch display on lower trims and a 10.25-inch display on higher trims. The Atlas SE had a 6.5-inch touchscreen with the last-generation infotainment system, while higher trims featured the MIB3 system with an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging, SiriusXM 360L, and Car-Net connected services with Amazon Alexa integration. Car-Net offered three plans: Remote Access, Safe & Secure, and Hotspot. The MyVW smartphone app provided access to Car-Net services, roadside assistance, and maintenance scheduling. The SEL Premium R-Line had a 12-speaker Fender premium sound system. However, the infotainment system was slow to load, and tuning the radio was a cumbersome process. Voice recognition was hit-and-miss, making Apple CarPlay or Android Auto a better option for navigation.

The 2021 Dodge Durango lagged behind its rivals in safety features. It came standard with a rearview camera and passive safety features like airbags and electronic stability control. Optional safety features included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, automatic high beams, rear-cross traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors, and forward-collision warning. The NHTSA gave the Durango a five-star side crash-test rating and a four-star rollover rating, but IIHS ratings were not available.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas offered a comprehensive list of safety features. Standard on the SE trim were automatic post-collision braking, Front Assist, Side Assist, and Rear Traffic Alert. The SE with Technology added adaptive cruise control and parking sensors with low-speed automatic braking. The SEL trim included the full IQ Drive suite with lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, lane-centering assistance, and Emergency Assist. The SEL Premium R-Line had Area View and Park Assist. However, the parking sensors could be overly sensitive, and Lane Assist sometimes misinterpreted road markings. The Atlas received four-star frontal-impact ratings from the NHTSA and did not earn a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.