The 2021 VW Atlas is a competent family hauler that assimilates into the daily routine without fuss.
Pros Plenty of space Good warranty Good tech Relative value among competitors Solid powertrains
Cons A little boring Base touchscreen is on the small side Not fuel-efficient Cross Sport gets lost
VW refreshes the 2021 Atlas by adding updated front and rear ends that increase its overall length by almost three inches. Its face is graced by a more attractive three-bar grille and revised headlights, which now feature standard LED elements that continue out back. Models with the R-Line option also get new looks courtesy of its special badging, body kit, and 20- or 21-inch rims. Inside, there's a new steering wheel, updated stitching on the seats, an 8.0-inch touchscreen on most models, and the latest iteration of the company's Car-Net smartphone app. The four-cylinder Atlas is now available with all-wheel drive for the first time.
Pros No shortage of cargo or passenger space, reassuring driving manners, hard-to-beat value.
Cons Uninspired interior aesthetic, less fuel efficient than advertised, rides rough on broken surfaces.
The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas comes with front wheel drive, and all wheel drive. Available transmissions include: 8-speed shiftable automatic.Restyled front and rear bodywork.Upgraded interior appointments.
Pros Spacious interior offers ample room for passengers in all three rows Great compromise between precise handling and everyday comfort Straightforward, easy-to-use cabin design
Cons Lackluster acceleration, even with the optional V6 Fuel economy lags that of most competitors
The 2020 Land Rover Discovery Sport comes with all wheel drive. Available transmissions include: 9-speed automatic.Revised exterior styling, a new base trim and an optional mild hybrid engine.Improved interior materials and additional tech features.
Pros Above-average off-road and all-weather capabilities Available third-row seating Plenty of passenger and cargo space Quiet and smooth ride
Cons Seats may be too big for smaller drivers The more powerful engine upgrade is only offered on the top trim
The 2020 Land Rover Discovery Sport is a super-competent seven-seater in a hotly contested luxury medium-SUV segment. It’s technically an update to the model that came out in 2015, one which this author actually bought and owned for some time.
Pros Seven seats, super versatile and practical, Range Rover-like interior, great packaging, much better looking than before
Cons Initial lag from drivetrain on take off, still needs some options ticked, no USB C
Land Rover promises luxurious treatment and off-road capability, and the 2020 Discovery Sport brings these qualities to the masses. The downsized Discovery is the most affordable model to wear the Land Rover badge, but it still boasts myriad features as well as a refreshed design for 2020. The updated styling helps align the Sport with bigger and ritzier Rovers such as the Discovery and the Range Rover Velar.Every Discovery Sport is powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine that makes between 246 and 286 horsepower depending on the model. However, the more powerful engine utilizes a 48-volt hybrid system that aims to improve fuel economy and aid acceleration.
