2022 Jeep Wrangler vs 2021 Volkswagen Atlas

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas underwent a styling refresh, featuring new front and rear bumpers, standard LED headlights and taillights, and a new grille shared with the two-row Atlas Cross Sport model. These changes added 2.4 inches to the length of the Atlas, giving it a more extroverted look compared to the conservatively-styled 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, which was used by most current VW models, including the Jetta and Golf. The interior of the Atlas took a minimalist approach, with a standard seating configuration of seven seats across three rows. However, the material quality on the mid-level SE with Technology test car was below average, with cheap and tinny plastics and simulated wood and metal trim that were not convincing.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide special edition was based on the four-door Sport S trim and added features like LED exterior lighting, a body-color hardtop with a Sunrider Fliptop, a Gorilla Glass windshield upgrade, and High Tide or Beach hood decals. The Xtreme Recon package set the High Tide apart with a 1.5-inch suspension lift, revised shock tuning, 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels, 35-inch BF Goodrich T/A KO2 tires, and a 4.56 rear axle ratio. The Wrangler High Tide also had a gasoline V6 engine with eTorque mild hybrid electrification, an automatic transmission, Selec-Trac full-time 4WD, and extra-cost Hydro Blue paint. Despite its high price, the interior of the High Tide was basic, with plastic and rubber as the dominant materials. The Wrangler's unique character and capabilities made it a singularly unique and immersive driving experience, but it also came with compromises in comfort, convenience, and overall refinement.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas offered two engine options: a standard 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 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were coupled to an eight-speed automatic transmission, with standard front-wheel drive (FWD) or optional 4Motion all-wheel drive (AWD). The driving experience with the base 2.0-liter engine and AWD was underwhelming, with adequate acceleration but rough shifts and poor ride quality. The Atlas had an Active Control feature with different drive modes, but it lacked a four-wheel drive (4WD) system with low range, making it best suited for pavement. The VR6 models had a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, while the four-cylinder models were rated to tow 2,000 pounds. Fuel economy for the four-cylinder models was 22 mpg combined with FWD and 21 mpg combined with AWD, while the VR6 models were rated at 19 mpg combined with FWD and 18 mpg combined with AWD.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide had a 3.6-liter V6 engine with eTorque mild-hybrid electrification, producing 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. The eight-speed automatic transmission was a mandatory $4,000 option on the High Tide, and the test vehicle also had the optional Selec-Trac full-time 4WD system. The EPA rated the Wrangler Unlimited with the eTorque V6 at 21 mpg in combined driving, but the Xtreme Recon Package modifications reduced the average to 16.8 mpg over a week of driving. The Wrangler's driving experience was unique and immersive, with a rough-and-tumble feel and a seemingly unquenchable thirst for fuel. The Wrangler's capabilities encouraged exploration and added a sense of excitement, but it also came with compromises in comfort, convenience, and overall refinement.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas was designed as a family hauler with three rows of seats and a total cargo space of 96.8 cubic feet behind the front seats and 20.6 cubic feet with all seats up. The Atlas offered more third-row legroom than most competitors, but at the expense of second-row legroom, which was the worst among its competitive set. 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. The interior controls were logically laid out, and up to five USB ports and an optional wireless charging pad were available. The Atlas also had up to 17 cupholders, although it couldn't match the Subaru Ascent's 19 cupholders.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide had a raised suspension, making it difficult to get in and out of, especially for shorter or less-limber people. The Wrangler's seats were comfortable, and the cloth upholstery looked and felt durable. The driving position was close to the steering wheel, dashboard, and windshield, requiring some acclimation time. Visibility was a mixed bag, with excellent views in some areas and compromised views in others. Rear-seat passengers experienced the same entry and exit difficulties as the front passengers, but once aboard, they had agreeable accommodations with a good view out. The Wrangler's storage options were limited, with netting on the lower door panels, a small tray on top of the dashboard, a small but deep center console box, and a narrow but deep glove compartment. The Wrangler Unlimited had 31.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat and 72.4 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas came with Bluetooth and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone compatibility. The base S trim level had a 6.5-inch infotainment touchscreen, while other models had an 8-inch screen. Volkswagen's Digital Cockpit was available on higher trim levels, replacing the analog gauges with a 10.3-inch reconfigurable digital display. The Atlas was set to receive VW's new MIBIII infotainment system later in the 2021 model year, which added multi-phone pairing capability, improved voice recognition, and a redesigned navigation system. The base six-speaker audio system sounded decent, and a 12-speaker Fender audio system was available on SEL and higher trim levels. The Atlas also had a built-in 4G LTE WiFi hotspot that could support up to four devices, with service provided by Verizon.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide, based on the Sport S trim, had a 7-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth connectivity, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The larger Uconnect 8.4 infotainment system offered upgrades such as satellite radio, connected services including a WiFi hotspot, and a navigation system, but the test vehicle did not have this option. The Wrangler High Tide had remote engine starting, satellite radio, a passive keyless entry system, and single-zone automatic climate control with a new air filtration system. The Cold Weather Group equipped the test vehicle with heated front seats and a heated steering wheel.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas received the top "good" rating in all Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) crash tests, but with a "marginal" rating for child-seat anchors and mixed headlight ratings. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the similar 2020 model a five-star overall rating. Every 2021 Atlas trim level had standard automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring, with adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist available on higher trim levels. The Atlas was set to receive more sophisticated driver aids later in the model year, including Travel Assist and Emergency Assist.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide included both the Safety Group and the Advanced Safety Group. The Safety Group added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors, while the Advanced Safety Group added adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Wrangler received a three-star rating for rollover resistance from the NHTSA and a Marginal rating for protection in the IIHS's left front small overlap crash-test evaluation. The Wrangler also received a Marginal rating in the new side-impact test and Poor ratings for headlight performance.