2021 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2022 GMC Terrain

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. These changes added 6 centimetres to its length, giving it a more extroverted appearance compared to the previous model. The R-Line trim package further enhanced its sporty look with unique bumpers and side skirts. Despite these cosmetic updates, the Atlas retained its MQB platform, which was shared with other VW models like the Jetta and Golf. The interior of the Atlas was minimalist, with a focus on functionality, although the material quality was below average, with cheap-feeling plastics and faux wood and metal trim.

In contrast, the 2022 GMC Terrain received updates to its front styling, wheel designs, taillights, and interior trim. The new AT4 trim level featured a bolder grille, black 17-inch alloy wheels, and sport-terrain tires, along with a steel skid plate for off-road protection. The Terrain's interior was equipped with a black leather finish and a range of packages, including the Tech Package and Infotainment Package II. Despite its entry-level status, the Terrain offered a range of features, although the quality of materials and execution left room for improvement. The pushbutton transmission controls were not intuitive, and the storage tray was too narrow for a smartphone.

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 horsepower and 266 pound-feet 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 rough shifts and truck-like handling. The Atlas had a towing capacity of 2,267 kilograms with the VR6 engine, but only 900 kilograms with the four-cylinder engine. Fuel efficiency was not impressive, 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 2022 GMC Terrain was powered by a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. The engine was paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, and the Terrain offered both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive options. The 1.5-litre engine provided adequate performance, although it lacked the acceleration of the previously available 2.0-litre engine. The Terrain's towing capacity was limited to 680 kilograms. The AT4 model featured 17-inch wheels and 20.1 centimetres of ground clearance, providing a smooth ride on highways and city streets. Fuel economy was rated at 9.6 litres per 100 kilometres in the city, 8.3 on the highway, and 9.0 combined with AWD.

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 interior featured a minimalist design with logically laid-out controls and up to five USB ports. The Atlas also offered up to 17 cupholders and a tall driving position, although forward visibility was less than optimal.

The 2022 GMC Terrain provided a roomy interior for a compact crossover, with power-adjustable front seats, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The AT4 trim featured perforated leather upholstery with caramel-colour contrast stitching. The back seat offered ample legroom and foot room, along with a rear USB charging port. Cargo space measured 838 litres behind the second row, expanding to 1,792 litres with the rear seat folded down. The Terrain also included numerous storage solutions throughout the interior.

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, replacing analog gauges with a 10.3-inch digital display. The Atlas was set to receive VW's new MIBIII infotainment system later in the model year, offering improved voice recognition and multi-phone pairing capability.

The 2022 GMC Terrain offered two infotainment systems, with a 7-inch touchscreen on the SLE trim and an 8-inch high-definition touchscreen on higher trims. Both systems included Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The Infotainment Package II added connected navigation, improved voice recognition, and a Bose audio system. The voice recognition system was highly praised for its accuracy and responsiveness.

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. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring, with adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist available on higher trims.

The 2022 GMC Terrain came with a standard GMC Pro Safety Package, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, and automatic emergency braking. The GMC Pro Safety Plus Package added adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Terrain received mostly "Good" crash-test scores from the IIHS, with a "Marginal" rating in a new side-impact test. The NHTSA had not evaluated the 2022 Terrain's crashworthiness.