2021 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas underwent a styling refresh, featuring new front and rear bumpers, standard LED headlights and taillights, and a new grille design. These changes extended the vehicle's length by 6 centimetres, giving it a more extroverted appearance compared to the previous model. The R-Line trim added sportier elements like unique bumpers and side skirts. Despite these updates, the Atlas maintained its MQB platform, shared with other VW models like the Jetta and Golf. The interior followed a minimalist design, with a standard seven-seat configuration and options for captain’s chairs in higher trims. However, the material quality was criticized for feeling cheap, with faux wood and metal trim that lacked authenticity.

In contrast, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee retained its timeless design, blending rugged utility with upscale sophistication. The model lineup ranged from the affordable Laredo and Limited trims to the luxurious Overland and Summit, and the high-performance SRT and Trackhawk. The Summit trim, in particular, featured premium leather, genuine wood, and real aluminum, creating a luxurious cabin environment. However, the interior showed signs of aging, with outdated switchgear and non-flush panel fits. Despite this, the Grand Cherokee's design continued to appeal to a wide range of buyers, offering a balance of style and functionality.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas offered two engine options: a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four producing 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.6-litre VR6 with 276 hp and 266 lb-ft. 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. Handling was truck-like, and the ride quality was poor, with noticeable impacts from road imperfections. The Atlas had a towing capacity of 2,267 kilograms with the VR6 engine, but only 900 kilograms with the four-cylinder. Fuel efficiency was unimpressive, with the four-cylinder rated at 10.9 litres per 100 kilometres combined and the VR6 at 12.9 litres per 100 kilometres combined.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee came standard with a 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine, delivering 295 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. It could tow up to 2,818 kilograms. An optional 5.7-litre Hemi V8 offered 360 hp and 390 lb-ft, with a best-in-class towing capacity of 3,300 kg. The V8 featured cylinder deactivation for improved efficiency, though it still consumed 14.1 litres per 100 kilometres combined. The Grand Cherokee's Quadra-Trac II 4WD system and Quadra-Lift air suspension provided excellent off-road capabilities, with adjustable ground clearance and various drive modes. The Summit trim offered a comfortable and responsive driving experience, though the V8's fuel consumption and occasional bounciness were noted drawbacks.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas was designed as a family hauler, offering average passenger and cargo space for its segment. It provided 2,741 litres of cargo space behind the front seats and 583 litres with all seats up. The third-row legroom was commendable, but second-row legroom was lacking. The interior featured a logical layout with easy-to-reach controls, up to five USB ports, and a wireless charging pad. The Atlas had a tall driving position, but forward visibility was limited. Parking sensors and advanced driver assistance features were available on higher trims.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit featured a luxurious interior with quilted leather seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Both front seats offered eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The rear seat was comfortable but had limited legroom for taller adults. The optional rear-seat entertainment system added to the sense of claustrophobia. Cargo space measured 1,028 litres behind the rear seat and 1,934 litres with the second-row seats folded. The Grand Cherokee provided practical storage solutions, including grocery bag hooks and a power liftgate.

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

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee featured the Uconnect 4C with Nav infotainment system, offering a user-friendly experience with fast response times and pleasing graphics. It included navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The system also offered SiriusXM services, including satellite radio and subscription-based Traffic Plus and Travel Link services. The Summit trim came with a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, providing excellent sound quality. The Grand Cherokee's technology offerings were considered "tech lite," focusing on essential features.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas received top "good" ratings in all IIHS crash tests, except for 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. 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 advanced driver aids later in the model year.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee had mixed safety ratings. The NHTSA awarded the 4WD model a five-star overall rating, while the 2WD model received four stars due to a three-star rollover resistance rating. The IIHS gave the Grand Cherokee "Marginal" and "Poor" ratings in small-overlap frontal-impact tests. The Summit trim included a comprehensive suite of safety features, such as adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance. The Grand Cherokee also offered parking assistance features.