2021 Hyundai Tucson vs 2022 Volkswagen Atlas

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson had a more conventional design compared to its futuristic successor. It featured an upright layout that provided a commanding view of the road. Inside, the Tucson boasted a modern and attractive dash design, seamlessly integrating tech features into the overall aesthetic. Every button and dial was easy to find, contributing to a user-friendly experience.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas, having received numerous updates in 2021, carried over with minor modifications. 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 the SUV's upscale look. The interior design was simple yet premium, though some materials felt low-cost, with hard, shiny plastics detracting from the overall quality.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson offered two engine options. The base engine was a 2.0-liter four-cylinder producing 161 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque. The SEL, Sport, Limited, and Ultimate trims came with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 181 hp and 175 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and had standard front-wheel drive (FWD) or optional all-wheel drive (AWD). The base engine felt underwhelming, especially at highway speeds, while the 2.4-liter engine provided a livelier performance. The Tucson had a comfortable and refined ride, with a towing capacity of up to 2,000 pounds with the 2.4-liter engine.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas featured a standard turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine for the SE, SE with Technology, and SEL trims, producing 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. This engine required premium fuel for maximum output and had a towing capacity of 2,000 pounds. The available 3.6-liter V6 engine, standard on higher trims, delivered 276 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque, with a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. The V6 engine, while more powerful, lacked refinement and efficiency. The Atlas offered various driving modes and an AWD system with Active Control calibrations. However, the ride quality was mixed, with a busy ride on certain surfaces and noticeable body float on undulating pavement.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson provided 31 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 61.9 cubic feet with the seats folded. While this was on the lower side for the compact SUV segment, it offered adequate space for weekend bags or large boxes. The front seats were comfortable and supportive, with solid headroom and legroom. The rear seats were less spacious but still accommodating for adults. The Tucson also featured plenty of cubbies and compartments for storage.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas excelled in interior space and comfort. It seated seven people comfortably, even in the third row. The step-in height was relatively low, making it easy to enter and exit. The Atlas offered numerous storage areas, though many were unlined, causing items to slide around and create noise. Cargo space was exceptional, with 20.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 55.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 96.8 cubic feet with the second row folded. These figures were larger than those of the full-size Nissan Armada.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Ultimate trim offered an upgraded 8-inch touchscreen, which was optional on other trims. The touchscreen was user-friendly, with logical menu layouts and helpful hard buttons. Additional available features included navigation, satellite radio, and wireless device charging.

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 SE trim had a 6.5-inch touchscreen with last-generation infotainment, while other trims featured the next-generation MIB3 system with an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and more. The Atlas also offered Car-Net connected services with various plans and a MyVW smartphone app. However, the user experience was hindered by slow loading times and a cumbersome tuning process. The embedded navigation system was hit-or-miss, making Apple CarPlay or Android Auto a better option.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson provided a solid list of standard driver-assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and driver drowsiness monitoring. Upper-tier trims offered additional features like adaptive cruise control, pedestrian detection, automatic high-beams, a 360-degree parking monitor, and blind-spot monitoring. The Tucson earned five stars from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas offered an impressive 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, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and more. The Atlas also featured brighter LED headlights and an adaptive front lighting system. However, some driver assistance features had issues, such as the parking sensors detecting the street as an obstacle and Lane Assist misinterpreting old construction markings. The Atlas received decent crash-test ratings but did not earn a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.