2022 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2021 Genesis GV80

The 2021 Genesis GV80, as a new entrant in the luxury SUV market, offered a fresh design perspective unburdened by a long legacy. This allowed Genesis to innovate and establish a signature look, drawing some design elements from its G80 sedan. The GV80 featured a striking two-box design with a long hood, short front overhang, and a distinctive grille with a diamond mesh and Quad Lamp LED headlights. The rear design echoed the front with Quad Lamp taillights and twin trapezoidal tailpipes. Inside, the GV80 boasted a sleek, uncluttered dashboard with a focus on horizontal lines, real wood, metal, and leather, creating a luxurious and spacious feel.

In contrast, the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas, while maintaining its big and boxy appeal, carried over with minor updates from the previous year. The Execline trim featured R-Line design elements and 21-inch alloy wheels, enhancing its upscale look. However, the interior, though simple and premium in design, was criticized for its use of low-cost materials, including hard plastics. Despite this, the Atlas offered a spacious and comfortable interior, with ample room for seven passengers and a low step-in height for easy access. The Atlas excelled in practicality with numerous storage areas, though many were unlined, leading to unwanted noise.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 offered two engine options: a 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, and a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 with 375 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque. Both engines came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive in Canada. The GV80's 3.5T models featured electronically controlled suspension with road preview, enhancing ride comfort. The 2.5T engine provided sufficient power for most driving situations, while the 3.5T offered a smoother and more powerful experience, aided by active noise cancellation. Fuel consumption for the 2.5T was rated at 11.3 L/100 km city and 9.5 highway, while the 3.5T was rated at 12.9 L/100 km city and 10.4 highway.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas offered a standard 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 235 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, requiring premium fuel for maximum output. An eight-speed automatic transmission and 4Motion AWD were standard. The optional 3.6-litre V6 engine, standard on the Execline trim, produced 276 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque, with a towing capacity of 2,268 kg. The Atlas's V6 engine was noted for its lack of refinement and power, with a combined fuel consumption rating of 12.2 L/100 km. The Atlas featured various driving modes and an AWD system that could decouple the rear wheels for improved fuel economy. However, the ride quality was criticized for being busy and noisy, with a need for an adaptive-damping suspension option.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 offered a sophisticated interior with a focus on technology and ergonomics. The centre console featured a rotary gear selector and a circular multimedia controller with dual control capabilities. The HVAC control panel used capacitive touch buttons with intelligent masking to prevent accidental misuse. The GV80's second row was spacious and comfortable, with available power seats and window shades. A third row was standard on 3.5T models, increasing passenger capacity to seven, with power-folding seats for added convenience.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas excelled in interior space and comfort, seating seven people with ample head and legroom, even in the third row. The Atlas offered a low step-in height for easy access and included rear side-window sunshades. The cargo space was exceptional, with 583 litres behind the third row, expandable to 2,741 litres with the second and third rows folded. However, many storage areas were unlined, leading to unwanted noise. The Atlas's interior was noted for its practicality, though the use of low-cost materials detracted from its overall quality.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 featured a sixth-generation Genesis UX infotainment system with a 14.5-inch HD touchscreen, supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system offered cloud connectivity, over-the-air updates, and user-configurable split-screen displays. Android users could access a digital key function, while the GV80 came with five years of complimentary Genesis Connected Services. A head-up display and a 12.3-inch 3D digital instrument cluster were available on higher trims, along with a Lexicon Quantum Logic Surround audio system with 21 speakers.

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 featured VW's next-generation MIB3 infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Car-Net connected services. However, the user experience was criticized for its slow loading times and cumbersome navigation system. The Execline trim offered a 12-speaker Fender premium audio system, though the overall infotainment experience was considered hit-and-miss.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. It came with 10 airbags, including a front-centre airbag, and a suite of driver assistance features such as blind-spot collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, and forward collision-avoidance assist. The GV80 also offered adaptive cruise control with machine learning and highway-driving assist, along with Remote Smart Parking Assist for automated parking.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas offered a comprehensive 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 an adaptive front lighting system. However, the Lane Assist technology was criticized for its inability to ignore old construction markings and exit ramps. The Atlas received four-star ratings for frontal-impact tests from the NHTSA and did not earn a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.