2022 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2021 Volvo XC40

The 2021 Volvo XC40 presented a traditional SUV aesthetic, characterized by its tall, flat roof and upright rear hatch, aligning with Volvo's signature design elements like the "Thor’s Hammer" LED headlights and a simple oval grille. The gasoline models offered a retro touch with a white contrasting roof, while the electric XC40 Recharge distinguished itself with a blanked-off grille, unique badging, and model-specific alloy wheels. The Recharge also featured a gloss black roof and mirror caps, a unique rear bumper, and an exclusive Sage Green Metallic colour. The interior of the XC40 was minimalist yet premium, with high-quality materials such as Nappa leather and Nubuck textile, and a coherent design that integrated elements like the portrait-oriented touchscreen seamlessly.

In contrast, the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas maintained its bold and boxy design, with the Execline trim featuring R-Line design elements and 21-inch alloy wheels that enhanced its upscale appearance. The interior was simple yet premium, though some materials were crafted to a lower cost point, resulting in an abundance of hard, shiny plastics. Despite this, the Atlas offered a spacious and comfortable cabin, with features like heated cloth seats in the base Trendline trim and genuine leather upholstery in higher trims. The Atlas excelled in providing ample head and legroom, even in the third row, and offered numerous storage areas, although many were unlined, leading to potential noise from items sliding around.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 offered a versatile powertrain lineup, with the electric Recharge model at the top. The gasoline options included a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base T4 variant produced 187 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, while the T5 variant delivered 248 hp and 258 lb-ft. The Recharge model shared its powertrain with the Polestar 2, featuring dual electric motors for all-wheel drive, generating a combined 402 hp and 486 lb-ft of torque. It boasted a 78-kilowatt-hour battery pack, enabling a 0 to 100 km/h acceleration in 4.9 seconds. The XC40 emphasized luxury and comfort, with excellent ride quality even on rough roads, and offered one-pedal driving through regenerative braking.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas provided a standard turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, requiring premium fuel for optimal performance. An eight-speed automatic transmission and standard 4Motion all-wheel drive were included. The V6 engine, optional for Comfortline and Highline trims and standard for Execline, produced 276 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque, with a towing capacity of up to 2,268 kilograms. The Atlas offered various driving modes and Active Control calibrations, but the V6's performance was considered leisurely, and the drivetrain lacked refinement. The Atlas's handling was sound, but the ride quality was affected by the 21-inch wheels, leading to a busy ride and noticeable road noise.

The 2021 Volvo XC40, while not particularly spacious, offered clever storage solutions to compensate for its limited interior space. The centre console featured a removable trash bin, and the glovebox door included a bag hook. The Harman Kardon audio system's speakers were moved to the dashboard, allowing for larger door bins. The storage cubby ahead of the shifter was designed to hold a phone securely, with a wireless charging pad available as an option. However, second-row occupants lacked phone-charging options.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas excelled in interior space, comfortably seating seven people with ample head and legroom, even in the third row. The step-in height was low, facilitating easy entry and exit. The Atlas offered numerous storage areas, though many were unlined, leading to potential noise from items sliding around. Cargo space was exceptional, with 583 litres behind the third row, expandable to 1,572 litres with the third row folded, and 2,741 litres with the second row down. The power liftgate and remote key fob made accessing the cargo area convenient.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge featured the Android Automotive OS infotainment system, integrating Google apps like Google Assistant and Google Maps. The system included a 9-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, with top-notch graphics and menu layouts. The Recharge model also offered over-the-air update capability, allowing for software updates without visiting a dealership. The gasoline models continued with the previous infotainment system, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Bluetooth connectivity.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas came standard with the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrument cluster, featuring an 8-inch display, expandable to 10.25 inches in higher trims. The Trendline trim had a 6.5-inch touchscreen with last-generation infotainment, while other trims featured the MIB3 system with an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and wireless charging. The Atlas offered Car-Net connected services, providing remote start, collision notification, and more. However, the user experience was hindered by slow system loading and cumbersome navigation controls.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 received top safety ratings, with the gasoline model earning a "Top Safety Pick+" from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. The XC40 came with a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, and more. The Recharge model featured Volvo's latest sensor suite, allowing for future advancements in driver aids.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas offered a robust suite of safety features, including automatic post-collision braking, Front Assist, Side Assist, and Rear Traffic Alert. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control, parking sensors, and an adaptive front lighting system. However, the Atlas's Lane Assist technology had issues with old construction markings, and crash-test ratings were decent but not class-leading, with four-star ratings in frontal-impact tests from the NHTSA.