2021 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2021 Chevrolet Trax

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas received a styling refresh that included new front and rear bumpers, standard LED headlights and taillights, and a new grille. These changes added 2.4 inches to its length, giving it a more extroverted look compared to the 2020 model. The R-Line trim package added sportier-looking front and rear bumpers, as well as side skirts. Despite these cosmetic changes, the Atlas still rode on the same MQB platform as before. The interior took a minimalist approach, with sensibly laid-out controls and a standard seating configuration of seven seats across three rows. However, the material quality in the mid-level SE with Technology trim was below average, with cheap-feeling plastics and unconvincing simulated wood and metal trim.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax, based on the 2015 model, carried over the design updates from 2017 and included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The 2021 model dropped the Premier trim, leaving LS and LT trims. The LS came with 16-inch painted aluminum wheels, remote keyless entry, and a 7-inch touchscreen with the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system. The LT trim added features like heated, power-adjustable side mirrors, remote start, and upgraded seats. The LT also offered styling packages and driver assistance features through optional packages. The Trax provided a firm ride, especially harsh over potholes, and had a tight turning radius, making it suitable for city driving.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas offered two engine options: a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four producing 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.6-liter VR6 engine rated at 276 hp and 266 lb-ft. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with standard front-wheel drive (FWD) or optional 4Motion all-wheel drive (AWD). The 4Motion system could send power to the rear wheels when needed. The base 2.0-liter engine with AWD provided adequate acceleration but had rough shifts and poor ride quality. The Atlas had an Active Control feature with different drive modes but lacked a 4WD system with low range. The VR6 models could tow up to 5,000 pounds, while the four-cylinder models were limited to 2,000 pounds. Fuel economy for the four-cylinder models was 22 mpg combined with FWD and slightly lower with AWD. The VR6 models had even lower fuel economy ratings.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax came with a single engine option: a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder producing 138 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, available in FWD or AWD. The Trax's engine sufficed for city driving but struggled to provide additional power for highway speeds or passing. The ride was firm and harsh over bumps, but the tight turning radius made it maneuverable in tight spaces. Rivals like the Hyundai Kona and Mazda CX-30 offered more comfortable rides and better driving experiences. The 2022 Trax was expected to have a retuned engine with 155 horsepower.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas offered average passenger and cargo space for its segment, with 96.8 cubic feet behind the front seats and 20.6 cubic feet with all seats up. It provided more third-row legroom than most competitors but had the worst second-row legroom. The second-row bench seat was uncomfortable with thin, flat cushions. The Atlas had a tall driving position but limited forward visibility. It featured up to five USB ports, an optional wireless charging pad, and up to 17 cupholders. Ultrasonic parking sensors were standard, with additional parking aids available on higher trims.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax provided a respectable amount of headroom and legroom in both rows. The front seats were supportive, but the rear seats had poor bolstering. The Trax had multiple storage trays in each door and low cupholder placement. It offered 18.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and up to 48.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The front passenger seat could fold flat for larger items. These cargo figures were mid-pack for the subcompact SUV segment, and there was no option for a power liftgate.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas came with Bluetooth and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. The base S trim had a 6.5-inch infotainment touchscreen, while other models had an 8-inch screen. Higher trims offered Volkswagen’s Digital Cockpit, a 10.3-inch reconfigurable digital display. The Atlas was set to receive the MIBIII infotainment system later in the model year, which included multi-phone pairing and improved voice recognition. The base six-speaker audio system was decent, with a 12-speaker Fender audio system available on higher trims. A built-in 4G LTE WiFi hotspot was new for 2021.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax featured a 7-inch touchscreen with the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system, standard on all trims. This system had easy-to-follow menus, vivid graphics, and was complemented by hard buttons and dials. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, two USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity, voice control, and an available WiFi hotspot.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas received top ratings in all IIHS crash tests but had a "marginal" rating for child-seat anchors and mixed headlight ratings. The NHTSA gave the 2020 model a five-star overall rating. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring, with adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist available on higher trims. The Atlas was set to receive more sophisticated driver aids later in the model year.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax received a five-star rating from the NHTSA but did not earn a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS. Standard safety features included an array of airbags and a backup camera. The LT Convenience Package added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-path detection, and rear parking sensors. However, the Trax lacked many standard driver safety features found in rivals.