2021 Cadillac XT5 vs 2021 Volkswagen Atlas

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas underwent a styling refresh that included new front and rear bumpers, standard LED headlights and taillights, and a new grille design, which added 6 centimetres to its length. The changes gave the Atlas a more extroverted appearance compared to the previous model, although the fake chrome exhaust tips were considered a bit cheesy. The R-Line trim package added sportier-looking elements, and the Atlas maintained its MQB platform, showcasing its flexibility. The interior of the Atlas was minimalist, with a standard seven-seat configuration and available second-row captain’s chairs. However, the material quality was below average, with cheap-feeling plastics and simulated wood and metal trim.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5, on the other hand, showcased Cadillac's efforts to regain its status as a refined vehicle brand. The XT5 featured a snub-nosed exterior with standard LED lights and a stylish design. The interior was more upscale than its GM sibling, the Chevrolet Blazer, with cut and sewn leather, natural wood, and carbon fibre accents. The Premium Luxury trim exuded elegance, and the XT5 offered a chic design with straightforward materials. The XT5's interior design and styling were more refined, providing a level of finery that Cadillac shoppers had been missing.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas offered two engine options: a standard 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four producing 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.6-litre VR6 engine with 276 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard 4Motion all-wheel drive. The driving experience with the base engine was underwhelming, with adequate acceleration but rough shifts. The Atlas had a truck-like handling and poor ride quality, with every pavement imperfection felt in the cabin. The VR6 models had a towing capacity of 2,267 kilograms, while the four-cylinder models were limited to 900 kilograms. Fuel efficiency was not impressive, with the four-cylinder models rated at 10.9 litres per 100 kilometres combined and the VR6 models at 12.9 litres per 100 kilometres combined.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 offered a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and an optional 3.6-litre V6 engine with 310 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The V6 provided immediate throttle response, but the luxury crossover could benefit from more low-end torque. The XT5's engine start-stop technology was seamless, except for the heating and air conditioning shutting down during stops. The XT5 AWD used roughly 9.4 litres per 100 kilometres during testing, better than the estimated 11.2 L/100 km. The base engine used 9.5 L/100 km with FWD and 10.1 with AWD. The XT5 handled the road with ease, offering a more refined driving experience.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas was designed as a family hauler with three rows of seating. It offered 2,741 litres of cargo space behind the front seats and 583 litres with all seats up. The Atlas provided more third-row legroom than most competitors, but at the expense of second-row legroom. The second-row bench seat was uncomfortable with thin cushions. The Atlas featured a tall driving position, but forward visibility was less than optimal. It had up to five USB ports, a wireless charging pad, and up to 17 cupholders. The Atlas also offered ultrasonic parking sensors, low-speed automatic braking, and active park assist.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 had enough room for four adults in two rows, with good legroom but limited headroom in the back seat. The front seats were not as comfortable as they appeared during extended road trips. The XT5 offered 850 litres of cargo space, with a deep rear cargo area but limited width due to wheel bump-outs. The cargo-management system allowed for dividing and securing cargo. The XT5 had limited small-item storage, with a small cubby and map pockets. The SUV featured heated front seats, a hands-free programmable height power liftgate, and a reasonable amount of cargo space for its size.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas came with Bluetooth and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. The base trim had a 6.5-inch touchscreen, while other models had an 8-inch screen with satellite radio. The Digital Cockpit was available on higher trims, replacing analog gauges with a 10.3-inch digital display. The Atlas was set to receive the MIBIII infotainment system later in the year, offering multi-phone pairing and improved voice recognition. The base audio system was decent, with a 12-speaker Fender audio system available on the Execline trim.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 featured a streamlined infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen housed in Piano Black plastic. The XT5 offered tri-zone automatic climate control, a heated steering wheel, and heated outboard rear seats. The infotainment system had a rotary controller on the centre console, and the XT5 included one-touch phone pairing, an eight-speaker Bose sound system, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A 14-speaker Bose Performance Series sound system was available. The XT5 also offered a rear camera mirror, a digital instrument cluster, and a head-up display.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas received top "good" ratings in all IIHS crash tests, with a "marginal" rating for child-seat anchors and mixed headlight ratings. The NHTSA had not published ratings for the 2021 model, but the 2020 model received a five-star overall rating. The Atlas came with standard automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring, with adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist available on higher trims. The Execline trim was set to receive Travel Assist and Emergency Assist later in the year.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 offered a roster of safety and driver assistance features, including front automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-change alert with side blind-zone alert. The XT5 also featured Night Vision technology, enhancing nighttime drivability. General Motors' Teen Driver software was standard, allowing parents to limit vehicle features and view a report card of driving habits.