2022 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2022 Subaru Ascent

The 2022 Subaru Ascent introduced a new Onyx Edition trim level, which featured a trendy blacked-out exterior trim. This edition sat in the middle of the Ascent lineup, offering a sporty appearance with black 20-inch aluminum wheels, unique grille design, and special interior trim. The Onyx Edition was priced at $44,995, excluding a $1,875 destination fee in Canada. Inside, the Ascent Onyx Edition featured a gray two-tone StarTex synthetic leather upholstery, which was water-repellant but had a tendency to trap sweat. The interior also included metallic trim on the dashboard and door panels, creating a modern ambiance. However, the lack of ventilated seats in this trim was a drawback, as they were only available in the Premier trim.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas carried over from the previous year with minor updates. It was available in four trim levels in Canada: Trendline, Comfortline, Highline, and Execline. The Execline trim, which was the top of the line, featured R-Line design elements, including 21-inch alloy wheels that enhanced the SUV's upscale look. The Atlas had a big and boxy design, with a spacious interior that was simple yet premium in appearance. However, the use of low-cost materials, such as hard and shiny plastics, detracted from the overall quality. The Atlas's interior was roomy and comfortable, with ample head and legroom for adults in all three rows. The SUV also offered numerous storage areas, although many were unlined, leading to unwanted noise from items sliding around.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent was equipped with a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. It featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and standard all-wheel drive (AWD). The Ascent's fuel consumption was rated at 10.5 litres per 100 kilometres combined, with our testing averaging 11.5 L/100 km. The engine's flat-four layout contributed to a lower centre of gravity, enhancing handling. The CVT offered eight programmed ratios and manual shift control, providing brisk acceleration and commendable passing power. The Ascent's towing capacity was up to 2,270 kilograms. Subaru's X-Mode off-road traction control system, hill descent control, and 22 centimetres of ground clearance added to its off-roading capabilities. However, the lane-keeping and lane-centring assistance technologies could feel uncertain and unstable.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas offered a standard turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, requiring premium fuel for maximum output. An eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD were included. The turbo-four's towing capacity was limited to 907 kilograms, but it had a fuel consumption rating of 10.6 litres per 100 kilometres combined. The optional 3.6-litre V6 engine, standard on the Execline trim, produced 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. While the V6 could tow up to 2,268 kilograms, its acceleration was leisurely, and the drivetrain lacked refinement. The Atlas offered Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual driving modes, along with Active Control calibrations for different conditions. The 4Motion AWD system could decouple the rear wheels to maximize fuel economy. The Atlas's ride quality was generally comfortable, but the V6 engine's lack of power and refinement was a drawback.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent could accommodate up to eight people with a second-row bench seat, though the third row was best suited for children. The Ascent offered a comfortable driving position and was equipped for winter weather with features like heated front seats, heated side mirrors, and a wiper de-icer. The wide rear doors made loading the second row easy, and captain's chairs were available on most trims. The Ascent provided ample storage, including a dashboard shelf and large cupholders. Cargo space was generous, with 458 litres behind the third row, 1,193 litres behind the second row, and a maximum of 2,061 litres with both rows folded.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas excelled in interior space and comfort, seating seven people with ample head and legroom in all three rows. The step-in height was low, making it easy to enter and exit. The Atlas offered numerous storage areas, though many were unlined, leading to noise from items sliding around. Cargo space was exceptional, with 583 litres behind the third row, 1,572 litres with the third row folded, and 2,741 litres with both rows down. The Atlas's cargo capacity was larger than that of the full-size Nissan Armada.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent featured a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, HD Radio, satellite radio, and a CD player. The Touring trim added an 8-inch display with Starlink connected services. The system's voice recognition technology needed improvement, requiring specific commands. The Onyx Edition used standard stereo speakers, which lacked sonic quality. The Premier trim offered additional features like a digital rearview mirror and a 180-degree-view front camera.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas came with a standard Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrument cluster, with an 8-inch display on lower trims and a 10.25-inch display on 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 Car-Net connected services. The Execline trim included a 12-speaker Fender premium audio system. However, the infotainment system's user experience was not as smooth as expected, with slow loading times and cumbersome station tuning. The voice recognition system also had limitations.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent received a "Top Safety Pick+" award from the IIHS and five-star crash-test ratings from the NHTSA, except for a four-star rating in rollover resistance. The Ascent came with Subaru's EyeSight driver-assist technology, which included adaptive cruise control and lane-centring technology. However, EyeSight's performance was affected by direct sunlight, and the adaptive cruise control lacked refinement. Additional safety features included steering responsive LED headlights and reverse automatic braking.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas offered a comprehensive list of safety features, including automatic post-collision braking, Front Assist, Side Assist, and Rear Traffic Alert. The Comfortline trim added adaptive cruise control and parking sensors, while the Highline trim included brighter LED headlights and an adaptive front lighting system. The Execline trim featured Area View and Park Assist technology. However, the Lane Assist technology had issues with old construction markings and exit ramps. The Atlas received decent crash-test ratings but did not earn a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.