2022 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2021 Honda Pilot

The 2021 Honda Pilot aimed to balance styling with reliability, safety, comfort, and performance. Despite efforts to enhance its rugged appearance with a 2019 refresh and a 2020 Black Edition, the exterior design remained polarizing. The Pilot was available in five trims in Canada, with prices ranging from $42,905 to $56,805, and all-wheel drive was standard. The Black Edition, which we tested, featured exclusive black leather upholstery with red accents and ambient lighting. However, the interior's minivan-like feel and drab exterior design did not enhance its appeal.

In contrast, the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas carried over with minor updates after significant changes in 2021. It was offered in four trims in Canada, with prices from $41,595 to $57,695. The Execline trim, which we tested, featured R-Line design elements and 21-inch alloy wheels, giving it an upscale look. The Atlas's interior was praised for its simplicity and premium flair, but the use of low-cost materials detracted from its quality. The SUV's bold styling was appealing, but the wheel choices often failed to complement its design.

The 2021 Honda Pilot was equipped with a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system, provided smooth and refined power delivery. The Pilot offered a comfortable ride and athletic handling, thanks to its MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension. Fuel efficiency was rated at 11.0 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with our test vehicle achieving 10.9 L/100 km. However, its off-road capability was limited by modest ground clearance and approach angles.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas offered a standard turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, requiring premium fuel for optimal performance. An optional 3.6-litre V6 engine, standard on the Execline trim, produced 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. The V6 could tow up to 2,268 kilograms but lacked refinement and power. Fuel consumption was estimated at 12.2 L/100 km, with our test vehicle averaging 12.0 L/100 km. The Atlas featured various driving modes and a 4Motion AWD system, but its ride quality was affected by large wheels and low-profile tires.

The 2021 Honda Pilot offered ample space for families, seating up to eight people with a bench second-row seat. The Black Edition featured comfortable leather-wrapped, heated, and ventilated front seats, with 10-way power adjustment for the driver. Second-row captain’s chairs were standard, providing comfort and adjustability. The Pilot offered 524 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 1,583 litres with the third row folded, and a maximum of 3,092 litres with all seats down.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas excelled in interior space and comfort, seating seven people with ample head and legroom, even in the third row. The test vehicle featured genuine leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, and heated second-row seats. Cargo space was generous, with 583 litres behind the third row, 1,572 litres with the third row folded, and 2,741 litres with the second row down. However, unlined storage areas caused items to slide and create noise.

The 2021 Honda Pilot featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Touring trim added wireless charging, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a 10-speaker premium audio system. The rear-seat entertainment system included a 115-volt power outlet and HDMI port. However, the system's small screen and limited voice-recognition capabilities were drawbacks.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas came standard with the Digital Cockpit instrument cluster and an 8-inch touchscreen with the MIB3 infotainment system. Features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Car-Net connected services. The Execline trim added a 12-speaker Fender audio system. However, the infotainment system was slow to load, and voice recognition was unreliable, making it challenging to use.

The 2021 Honda Pilot included Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems, as standard. This package featured adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The Pilot received favourable crash-test ratings, with a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and "good" ratings from the IIHS, except for an "acceptable" score for front passenger small overlap frontal-impact protection.

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 a surround-view camera system. However, the Lane Assist system was prone to errors, and the Atlas did not earn a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS. The NHTSA awarded it four-star ratings for frontal-impact protection.