2021 Subaru Forester vs 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

The 2021 Subaru Forester, despite its 2019 redesign, retained a somewhat dated appearance, largely carrying over from its previous generation. The most noticeable change was the distinctive cross-shaped taillights. Subaru seemed to follow the adage, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it," maintaining the boxy, upright shape that appealed to many SUV shoppers. The Forester Sport model added orange striping, a rear spoiler, and black 18-inch alloy wheels, which made a significant visual impact, especially with complementary paint colors like Dark Blue Pearl. The interior followed a no-nonsense approach with durable materials, and the Sport trim added orange accents. Cloth upholstery was standard on lower trims, while higher trims offered leather and additional features like heated seats and mirrors.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, on the other hand, was a more stylish and sporty version of the standard Atlas. By removing the third row, lowering the roofline, and shortening the length, VW created a bold and upscale appearance, especially in the SEL Premium R-Line trim with 21-inch machined-finish wheels. The interior was spacious, with generous legroom and comfort features like heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a panoramic sunroof. However, the use of hard, glossy plastics and unlined storage areas detracted from the overall impression of quality. The cargo space was ample but reduced compared to the seven-passenger Atlas.

The 2021 Subaru Forester was powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). This engine had a boxer configuration, providing a lower center of gravity. The Forester had a maximum towing capacity of 1,500 pounds and featured Trailer Stability Assist. While the power was adequate for most situations, it lacked the thrust needed for quick highway merges or overtaking. The suspension was tuned for comfort, resulting in a lot of body roll in corners and a bouncy ride on uneven pavement. All-wheel drive (AWD) was standard, with X-Mode for different surfaces and Dual X-Mode on Sport models. The Forester also had 8.7 inches of ground clearance, making it capable on dirt and mud but not ideal for serious off-roading.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered two engine options: a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.6-liter V6 with 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. The V6, which did not require premium fuel, had a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds compared to the turbo-four's 2,000 pounds. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, and VW's 4Motion AWD system was available. The V6 felt more energetic in the two-row Cross Sport, but the ride quality was inconsistent, with harsh impacts at low speeds and a floaty feel at higher speeds. The 21-inch wheels and Pirelli Scorpion Zero tires looked great but didn't help with ride comfort. The Cross Sport excelled on highways, where the ride was more agreeable, but road noise was more intrusive than expected.

The 2021 Subaru Forester offered above-average headroom and legroom in both rows, thanks to its tall, flat roofline. This design also provided excellent outward visibility and a roomy feel. Cargo space was generous, with 35.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 76.1 cubic feet with the seats folded. However, it lacked a sliding second-row bench. The Forester had decently sized cupholders and a reasonably sized center console, but the phone-storage cubby was too small, and wireless charging was not available. A power-adjustable driver's seat was only available on higher trims. The controls were user-friendly, but the steering wheel had too many buttons, causing some confusion.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport shared its wheelbase and track width with the larger Atlas, resulting in an exceptionally roomy interior for five adults. The test vehicle featured 10-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone automatic climate control. A panoramic sunroof added to the spacious feel, and rear side-window sunshades were a thoughtful touch. Storage space was plentiful, but the lack of lining in many storage areas could lead to rattles and scraping noises. The cargo area was also generous, with deep wells for additional storage, though the shorter length and lower roofline reduced overall cargo space compared to the seven-passenger Atlas.

The 2021 Subaru Forester came with the Subaru Starlink infotainment system, featuring a 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and front-row USB ports. Sport models upgraded to an 8-inch touchscreen and Harman Kardon audio system, while higher trims added navigation and rear USB ports. The system was user-friendly, with well-designed graphics and physical shortcut buttons, but the screen was slow to boot up. Additional displays in the dashboard and instrument cluster provided secondary information, but the setup felt overly complex.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport SE featured the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit with an 8-inch display and a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system, including Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and two USB-C ports. Higher trims upgraded to a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit, an 8-inch touchscreen with proximity sensing, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM with 360L, wireless smartphone charging, and more USB ports. The system also offered access to Car-Net connected services with various subscription plans. The user experience could be frustrating, especially with the standard voice recognition technology, but the 12-speaker Fender premium sound system in the SEL Premium R-Line was excellent.

The 2021 Subaru Forester excelled in safety, earning the highest "Top Safety Pick+" award from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. It came standard with Subaru's EyeSight suite, including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lead-vehicle start alert. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear-cross traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and reverse automatic braking. The driver-monitoring system, DriverFocus, was a unique feature that checked for signs of distraction.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and an automatic post-collision braking system as standard. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control, parking sensors, low-speed automatic braking, automatic high-beam headlights, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and IQ Drive. IQ Drive featured Travel Assist and Emergency Assist, enhancing safety and convenience. The SEL Premium R-Line also included a semi-autonomous Parking Steering Assistant and an Area View 360-degree camera system. The Atlas Cross Sport received favorable crash-test ratings but did not earn the highest accolades from the IIHS or NHTSA.