2021 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2021 Volvo XC60

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 and side skirts. Despite these updates, the Atlas still rode on the same MQB platform as before, which is used by most current VW models. The interior of the Atlas took a minimalist approach, with 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 simulated wood and metal trim.

The 2021 Volvo XC60, positioned between the compact XC40 and the larger XC90, was built on Volvo’s SPA platform. The XC60 featured an elegant, tailored crossover design with short front and rear overhangs and crisp details. The front grille proudly displayed Volvo’s iron mark logo, and the headlights had an LED daytime running light in the shape of Thor’s hammer. Inside, the XC60 boasted clean lines, authentic materials, and a serene aura. The 9-inch portrait-oriented infotainment touchscreen was easier to accept in 2021 than in 2018. The cabin’s little details, such as the elegant HVAC vents, added to its near-luxury status.

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. However, the driving experience with the base 2.0-liter engine and AWD was underwhelming, with rough shifts and poor ride quality. The Atlas had an Active Control feature with different drive modes, but it lacked a four-wheel drive system with low range. VR6 models could tow up to 5,000 pounds, while four-cylinder models were limited to 2,000 pounds. Fuel economy for the Atlas ranged from 22 mpg combined for the four-cylinder FWD model to 18 mpg combined for the VR6 AWD model.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 used a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission. T5 models produced 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, while T6 models produced 316 hp and 295 lb-ft. T8 models, which were plug-in hybrids, added an 87-hp electric motor, bringing the total to 400 hp and 472 lb-ft. The T8 Polestar Engineered model increased this to 415 hp and 472 lb-ft. The XC60 T8 could drive up to 19 miles on electric power alone. The XC60 felt solid and secure on the road, with a quiet cabin and smooth suspension. Fuel economy ranged from 25 mpg combined for the T5 FWD model to 27 mpg combined for the T8 PHEV, with the T8 achieving 57 MPGe in electric-only mode.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas was designed as a family hauler with three rows of seats. It offered 96.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the front seats and 20.6 cubic feet with all seats up. The Atlas provided more third-row legroom than most competitors but had the worst second-row legroom in its class. The second-row bench seat was uncomfortable with thin, flat cushions. The Atlas had a tall driving position, but forward visibility was less than optimal. It featured up to five USB ports, an optional wireless charging pad, and up to 17 cupholders. Ultrasonic parking sensors were standard, with low-speed automatic braking and active park assist available on higher trims.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 was designed for comfort and style, with highly adjustable front seats and a heating system capable of handling sub-freezing temperatures. The XC60 had 21.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and up to 63.6 cubic feet behind the first row. The cabin featured smart storage solutions and intuitive controls. The XC60 was rated to tow up to 3,500 pounds.

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 with a 10.3-inch reconfigurable digital display. The Atlas was set to receive VW’s new MIBIII infotainment system later in the model year. 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 Volvo XC60 featured the Sensus infotainment system with a tablet-style touchpad interface. The system had a learning curve but was intuitive for frequent iPad users. Smartphone integration included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot with a three-month trial. The Volvo On Call app added vehicle-specific functionality. The Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system on the test XC60 was exceptional.

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 2020 model received a five-star overall rating from NHTSA. 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 Volvo XC60 was awarded a Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS and five-star ratings from NHTSA for the T5/T5 AWD and T6 AWD models. Standard safety features included LED headlights, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, collision avoidance, and more. Volvo’s semi-autonomous driving system, Pilot Assist, was available. The XC60 was governed to a top speed of 112 mph for safety.