Volkswagen Atlas vs. Subaru Ascent

2021 Volkswagen Atlas

With three rows of seats and lots of room to get comfortable, the Volkswagen Atlas and the Subaru Ascent are a couple family-friendly SUVs. Which one is right for you and your family, though? The team at Andy Mohr Volkswagen put together this 2021 VW Atlas vs. Subaru Ascent comparison to help drivers in Avon, Indianapolis, and Plainfield, IN, decide.

VW Atlas vs Subaru Ascent: Interior Capabilities

A good SUV should have room for everything you need. From a few bags to boxes, bikes, and the occasional couch, the VW Atlas and the Subaru Ascent have you covered. Both SUVs feature a large trunk and folding seats in both the second and third rows.

However, the Subaru can’t carry quite as much. Whether the seats are upright or folded flat, the Volkswagen offers significantly more storage space:

	2021 VW Atlas	2021 Subaru Ascent
Cargo Room Behind 1st Row	96.8 cubic feet	86.5 cubic feet
Cargo Room Behind 2nd Row	55.5 cubic feet	47.5 cubic feet
Cargo Room Behind 3rd Row	20.6 cubic feet	17.8 cubic feet

By way of passenger space, you’ll find 154 cubic feet of passenger volume with the VW Atlas, while the Ascent has slightly less with just 153.5 cubic feet. While that many not seem like a big difference, it will translate into a slightly more cramped interior in the Ascent.

For instance, you can really see the difference when you look at the head- and legroom of the third row for each vehicle. The 2021 Ascent offers just 36.3 inches of headroom and 31.7 inches of legroom for rear-seat passengers.

The VW Atlas, on the other hand, offers 38.3 inches of headroom and 33.7 inches of legroom. With two more inches all around, taller passengers will certainly be grateful for the extra space.

A Comfortable Cabin

Comfortable Cabin

Which kind of features make a cabin comfortable? Whatever comes to mind, you’ll find it inside the VW Atlas and the Subaru Ascent. For instance, both vehicles come standard with climate control and a 6-way adjustable driver’s seat.

At higher trim levels, they both offer relaxing amenities, like:

Heated and ventilated front seats
Heated second-row outboard seats
Heated steering wheel

Additionally, they both have an available 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat with memory function to make sure your seat feels like a throne. No matter who else sits behind the wheel, returning to your ideal seating position will be as simple as pressing a button.

Even though both vehicles come standard with cloth seating and offer available leather seating, the VW Atlas offers one additional option that helps it pull ahead. If you want something more luxurious than cloth seats without having to upgrade all the way to leather, the Volkswagen is available with V-Tex leatherette seating surfaces.

Where leatherette offers that blend of premium comfort and style, the only option the Ascent offers between cloth and leather is spill-resistant cloth upholstery.

Volkswagen Atlas vs Subaru Ascent: High-Powered SUVs

High-Powered SUVs

While both SUVs feature lots of cargo room, sometimes you want to hitch extra equipment to your SUV. Whether it’s a trailer full of your belongings, a camper, or even a boat, the 2021 VW Atlas and the Subaru Ascent can haul everything you’ll need.

They’re both capable of towing up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped, but the Volkswagen makes it a bit easier for you. Its available 3.6L V6 engine can deliver up to 276 horsepower. The Subaru comes up short with a 2.4L 4-cylinder engine that only gets up to 260 horsepower.

The VW Atlas is also prepared to carry that extra cargo over tough terrain. Its 4MOTION® all-wheel drive with Active Control features four different selectable drive modes. The Ascent also has all-wheel drive, but without different drive modes, it’s not as adaptable.

2021 VW Atlas vs 2021 Subaru Ascent Safety Features

Safety Features

Any SUV you’d trust with your family has to be able to help keep them safe. The 2021 VW Atlas gives you peace of mind with a strong frame and intelligent driver-assistance features. They can help prevent accidents and give you more awareness while you drive. Some of its smart safety features include:

Blind Spot Monitor
Rear Traffic Alert
Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking
Rear View Camera System

While the Rear View Camera System lets you see what’s behind your vehicle when you’re backing up, the available Overhead View Camera uses a series of cameras to create a 360-degree bird’s-eye view of your SUV.

The Subaru Ascent also comes with lots of driver-assistance features, but unfortunately it doesn’t come standard with Blind Spot Monitor. While it also has a camera system, it doesn’t offer anything that can provide an overhead view.

Cutting-Edge Technology

Technology

In addition to their intelligent safety features, you’ll find lots of fun technology in both the 2021 VW Atlas and the Subaru Ascent. Each one comes with a dashboard touchscreen that can help you stay in touch, stream music, and find the fastest route. Some of the features they offer include:

Apple CarPlay®
Android Auto™
SiriusXM® Radio
Voice Recognition
Navigation

With their available navigation systems, you’ll be able to view a map of your route in real time. The VW Atlas makes it easier to view your route, though, with the available Volkswagen Digital Cockpit. This makes your instrument cluster fully customizable and offers display modes, like full screen navigation.

The Subaru Ascent has a more traditional instrument cluster, so you won’t have the same level of convenience and customization with the information you’ll see as you drive.

Convenient Features

The convenient technologies found in the VW Atlas and the Subaru Ascent and designed to help take a bit off your plate. It’s why they’re both available with power tailgates and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. However, there a few features that help the VW Atlas stand out.

One is the rain-sensing windshield wipers. While these come standard with the VW Atlas, they’re only available on the highest trim level of the Ascent. The VW Atlas also comes standard with all-weather lights with low-speed corner-illuminating feature. A similar feature isn’t offered at all in the Ascent.

Test Drive Your Family’s Next SUV

With extra space, more technology, and added visibility, the Volkswagen Atlas is an ideal SUV for families in Avon, Indianapolis, and Plainfield, Indiana. Visit Andy Mohr Volkswagen to learn more about the 2021 VW Atlas vs. Subaru Ascent and take a test drive.

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