2022 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2021 Kia Sportage

The 2021 Kia Sportage featured a distinctive design with its tiger-nose grille and bulbous headlights, which some might have likened to a frog-like appearance. Despite this, Kia described the Sportage's styling as "Euro-focused." This two-row crossover SUV had a short wheelbase and overhangs, making it well-suited for urban environments. The headlights were carried over from the previous year, and the Sportage offered wheel options ranging from 17 to 19 inches. Inside, an 8-inch touchscreen served as the focal point, surrounded by air vents and complemented by physical buttons and knobs for easy control. The interior, while not the most advanced in terms of technology and fashion, provided a comfortable and pleasant experience for occupants.

In contrast, the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas carried over with minor updates from the previous year, simplifying its lineup to several trim levels, including the new SEL R-Line Black. The Atlas was priced between $34,355 and $51,505, with additional costs for destination charges. The SEL Premium R-Line trim, with its 21-inch wheels and R-Line design elements, gave 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. Despite this, the Atlas offered a spacious and comfortable cabin, though the abundance of hard plastics detracted from the overall quality.

The 2021 Kia Sportage was available in LX, EX, and SX Turbo trims, with options for front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). The LX and EX trims were powered by a 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine, producing 181 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque. The SX Turbo trim featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged GDI four-cylinder engine, delivering 240 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. All models were equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission. Fuel economy for the FWD Sportage with the 2.4-liter engine was rated at 23 mpg city, 30 highway, and 26 combined, while AWD models saw slightly lower figures. The Sportage's suspension provided a smooth ride, though the steering and tire grip left room for improvement. The SX Turbo trim offered a more engaging driving experience, appealing to those seeking a sporty drive.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas offered 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 optimal performance and was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The turbo-four's towing capacity was limited to 2,000 pounds, with fuel economy ratings between 22 and 23 mpg combined. The optional 3.6-liter V6 engine, standard on higher trims, delivered 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, with a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. However, the V6's performance was considered leisurely, and its fuel economy was rated at 19 to 20 mpg combined. The Atlas offered various driving modes and an AWD system with Active Control calibrations. Despite its size, the Atlas was easy to maneuver, though its ride quality and handling could benefit from an adaptive-damping suspension option.

The 2021 Kia Sportage, while on the smaller side of the compact crossover segment, offered good interior space for passengers. The SX Turbo trim featured a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat and an 8-way power-adjustable passenger seat, along with heated and ventilated seats. Rear legroom and headroom were adequate, but cargo space was limited, with 30.7 cubic feet behind the second row and 60.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, falling short compared to competitors.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas, with its discontinuation of the base S trim, no longer offered cloth seats. Standard features included V-Tex leatherette seating, heated front seats, and a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat. Higher trims added features like tri-zone automatic climate control, ambient lighting, and a panoramic sunroof. The Atlas excelled in interior space, comfortably seating seven adults, even in the third row. The low step-in height made entry and exit easy, and numerous storage areas were available, though unlined compartments could cause 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 down, surpassing even full-size SUVs like the Nissan Armada.

The 2021 Kia Sportage featured an 8-inch touchscreen interface for its infotainment system, which included Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and USB ports as standard. Most trims also offered Kia's UVO Link connected services. The SX Turbo trim added wireless charging and an eight-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system. The technology was user-friendly, with logical menus and physical controls, though not the most advanced.

In 2022, the Volkswagen Atlas came standard with the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrument cluster, featuring an 8-inch display that expanded to 10.25 inches on higher trims. The Atlas SE had a 6.5-inch touchscreen with last-generation infotainment, while other trims featured the MIB3 system with an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless connectivity, and Car-Net connected services. The SEL Premium R-Line trim included a 12-speaker Fender premium sound system. Despite the impressive features, the user experience was hindered by slow loading times and a cumbersome interface. The navigation system's voice recognition was unreliable without additional subscriptions, making Apple CarPlay or Android Auto preferable for navigation.

The 2021 Kia Sportage boasted a strong safety suite, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, automatic high beams, and a driver-monitoring system as standard. The SX Turbo trim added adaptive cruise control. The Sportage earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and performed well in NHTSA crash tests.

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 the full IQ Drive suite with lane-keeping assistance and emergency assist. The Atlas also featured advanced lighting systems and a surround-view camera. However, some features, like Lane Assist, were prone to errors, and disabling them required navigating through distracting menus. The Atlas received decent crash-test ratings but did not earn a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS.