2021 Subaru Outback vs 2022 Volkswagen Atlas

The 2021 Subaru Outback, redesigned for the 2020 model year, retained a familiar and comfortable feel reminiscent of older Subaru models. Its interior, especially in trims above the base, featured a fresh design with an 11.6-inch portrait display, chrome trim, and contrasting leatherette, offering a touch of luxury. The Outdoor XT trim added a unique flair with water-resistant upholstery and lime green stitching. Externally, the Outback maintained a smooth and plain styling with high gray cladding, chrome flourishes, and adaptive LED headlights, emphasizing its identity as a lifted wagon.

In contrast, the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas carried over with minor modifications from its 2021 updates. The Execline trim, our test vehicle, featured R-Line design elements and 21-inch alloy wheels, enhancing its upscale look. The Atlas's interior was simple yet premium, though some materials felt low-cost, with hard plastics detracting from its quality. Despite this, the Atlas offered a spacious and comfortable cabin, with ample storage areas, though many were unlined, leading to unwanted noise. The Atlas's design was big and boxy, with a bold styling that was appealing but not always matched by the wheel choices.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's performance was defined by its two engine options. The base 2.5-litre flat-four engine, producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, struggled with the Outback's weight, especially when loaded. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) further hampered its performance, making it slow and noisy. However, the turbocharged 2.4-litre flat-four engine available in the XT trims offered a significant improvement, delivering 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque, making the Outback more capable and refined. The Outback's handling was forgiving, with a focus on comfort and off-road capability, thanks to its high ground clearance and proactive AWD system.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas offered two engine options: a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder and a 3.6-litre V6. The turbo-four, with 235 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, required premium fuel for maximum output and had a limited towing capacity of 907 kg. The V6, producing 276 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque, was more suitable for towing up to 2,268 kg but lacked refinement and efficiency. The Atlas's 4Motion AWD system provided various driving modes, but its ground clearance was modest. The Atlas's ride quality was mixed, with its large wheels offering grip but transmitting road imperfections to the cabin. The handling was sound, but the suspension could benefit from adaptive damping for better control.

The 2021 Subaru Outback offered impressive interior space, with 2,144 litres of cargo capacity with the rear seats folded and 920 litres with them raised. The cabin provided ample headroom and legroom, with excellent visibility and practical storage solutions. However, some features like push-button start and rear climate vents were not standard on lower trims. The Outback's standout feature was its standard roof rails with integrated crossbars, offering convenience and cost savings.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas excelled in interior space, comfortably seating seven adults with ample head and legroom. The cargo area was generous, with 583 litres behind the third row, expanding to 2,741 litres with all seats folded. The Atlas offered numerous storage areas, though many were unlined, leading to noise. The interior featured comfortable seating and convenient features like a power liftgate and rear sunshades, enhancing its family-friendly appeal.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system felt dated, with graphics reminiscent of older technology. However, it offered modern features like adaptive cruise control, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The EyeSight system provided advanced safety features, though it relied solely on cameras, limiting its effectiveness in certain conditions.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas featured the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit as standard, with an 8-inch display expanding to 10.25 inches on higher trims. The MIB3 infotainment system offered wireless connectivity, SiriusXM, and Car-Net services. However, the user experience was hindered by slow loading times and cumbersome controls. Voice recognition was hit-and-miss, making Apple CarPlay or Android Auto preferable for navigation.

The 2021 Subaru Outback boasted a strong and stiff chassis, with standard airbags and advanced safety features like blind-spot monitoring and reverse automatic braking. It earned top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, highlighting its crashworthiness and advanced safety systems.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including automatic post-collision braking, Front Assist, and Side Assist. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control, parking sensors, and advanced lighting systems. However, the Lane Assist system had issues with false readings, and the Atlas's crash-test ratings were decent but not class-leading.