Are the Volkswagen Tiguan and Atlas the Same SUV?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Did you know that Volkswagen offers two three-row SUVs? Heck yeah, they do. There is the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan and the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas. But which SUV is better? Luckily I’ve tried both, so I can help you compare your options. 

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan vs. the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas 

2021 Volkswagen Tiguan | Allison Barfield

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan is smaller than the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas, and this is reflected in the price. You can get started in a Tiguan for about $25,245, and the Atlas begins at about $31,545. 

The price difference slightly reflects the quality. The Atlas includes a few extra luxury touches such as tri-zone climate control, leather seats, and ventilated seats. But the Tiguan still has an upscale, luxurious feel. 

Does the Atlas or Tiguan have more power? 

2021 Volkswagen Atlas
2021 Volkswagen Atlas | Allison Barfield

With the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan, you get a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 184 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque. When properly equipped, it can tow up to 1,500 lbs. This is enough power to haul smaller trailers and camping gear. 

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas features a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 235 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. You can upgrade to the 3.6-liter V6 engine for 276 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque. When properly equipped, the VW Atlas can tow up to 5,000 lbs, which is enough power to pull smaller campers and boats. 

With more power comes a sportier performance. The VW Atlas can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 8.1 seconds. The VW Tiguan can reach 60 mph in about 8.6 seconds. These SUVs have the automatic start and stop feature, and they quickly restart at red lights and other stops without delay. 

Both the Volkswagen Tiguan and Atlas provide a smooth ride, but the Atlas is quieter on the road. The Tiguan has a quiet interior, but noise enters the cab at highway speeds, and you can hear the engine roar while accelerating. 

Does the Tiguan or Atlas have better features? 

If your kids are taller, then the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas will be a better fit. It has a more extensive third row. Smaller children can still fit in the back of the Tiguan, though. Also, the Tiguan has wide-opening back doors, making it easy to enter, exit, and install child seats. 

With the Tiguan, you get between 12 to 37.6 cubic feet of cargo space in the trunk area with up to 65.7 cubic feet total. In the Volkswagen Atlas, you can access between 20.6 to 55.5 cubic feet in the trunk area with up to 96.8 cubic feet total. 

Both SUVs come with a standard 6.5-inch infotainment system, but you can upgrade to a larger 8.0-inch unit. Both systems are fast, attractive, and responsive. However, the infotainment system in the Tiguan felt a little easier and more initiative to use. But the Tiguan only has USB-C ports and 12-Volt outlets. 

In both vehicles, using Apple CarPlay was preferred over the built-in navigation system. But the voice controls work well. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and an integrated Wi-Fi hotspot come standard. 

The Volkswagen Tiguan is a Top Safety Pick, but the Atlas fell short of this award. The Atlas still earned five stars in crash rating tests, though. Both SUVs come with forward-collision warning, automated emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear-cross-traffic alert. You can add adaptive cruise control. 

The safety systems perform well without being too demanding. I like how the blind spot warning is on the side of the mirrors instead of on the glass. But both vehicles feature unique personal touches. 

If you want more power and space, then the Atlas is the right choice. However, the Tiguan is still fun, comfortable, and capable. You can save a few thousand dollars with it as a more practical option.

RELATED: The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Is an Under-Rated Family SUV

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The 5 Most Dangerous Things You Should Never Do on a Jet Ski

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Cruising on the water on a jet ski allows you to enjoy fun and exciting moments outdoors, and it’s less expensive and easier to use than a recreational boat. That makes personal watercraft great for anyone on a beach vacation or living near a body of water. However, proceed with caution because a jet ski can be dangerous as any vehicle.

Jet ski accident statistics

A woman rides a Kawasaki Jet Ski on the East River in July 2020 in New York City | Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty Images

Jet skis are responsible for hundreds of watersports deaths and accidents annually. The causes include the lack of surrounding protective shell that a boat provides, operator inexperience or inattention, riding at fast speeds, and lack of training. 

According to a 2021 National Safe Boating Council fact sheet, the top five primary contributing factors in recreational boating accidents are alcohol, operator inattention, excessive speed, improper outlook, and operator inexperience. Additionally, the fact sheet shows the Coast Guard reported 4,168 accidents involving approximately $55 million in property damage, 613 deaths, and 2,559 injuries resulting from personal watercraft accidents in 2019, the most recent year for which data is available.

That fatality rate represents 5.2 deaths per 100,000 registered vessels and is a 1.9% decrease in 2018’s rate of 5.3 deaths per 100,000 registered recreational vessels. 

5 of the most dangerous things you should never do on a jet ski

Get caught in a storm

One of the scariest situations on open water is the weather. So checking the forecast before heading out on a jet ski is advisable. Tune in to the National Weather Service to get current warnings for your location. Also, understand that although you can see most storms coming, some pop up suddenly and without warning.

Keeping your eyes on the horizon is also a wise idea, and if you see dark, ugly clouds, head back to shore. The reason is that storms can cause large waves and choppy water, making riding difficult, and they can also bring life-threatening lightning.

Flip or fall off

Overturning while riding a jet ski is common, and most models have a sticker on the back showing you what to do when they capsize. You can avoid flipping a jet ski by watching out for waves, avoiding abrupt movements, and keeping your speed down. You should also be mindful of the terrain around you and avoid riding a jet ski at top speed if you don’t want to fall off. 

Although controlling the circumstances surrounding an accident may prove challenging, you can consider falling correctly, slowing down, wearing protective gear, and avoiding choppy and shallow water to lessen the damage of a fall.

Break the law

Interestingly, there are just as many safety laws on the water as there are on land. Obeying these rules is critical to ensuring a safe and peaceful jet ski ride free of incidents. Note that such laws focus on protecting you and others. The basic ones include getting necessary licensing, avoiding speeding in no-wake zones, observing legal places and times to ride, avoiding drinking and riding, and wearing the necessary safety gear.

Underestimate how long it takes to stop the jet ski

First, understand that personal watercraft do not stop on a dime. Not understanding how long it takes to stop your ski can damage the machine and injury you and others. So practicing stopping in a wide-open area where you won’t endanger others and yourself is advisable if you’re new to jet skiing. That means knowing how quickly you can go from open throttle to a dead stop will take experience, AquaSportsPlanet explains.

Ride too close to or cut off other watercraft

There’s always the chance of colliding with other watercraft while riding a jet ski if others are nearby. Guidelines for water vessels are similar to road rules, and knowing these rules is your responsibility. According to the law firm Hofmann & Schweitzer, the best option is to stay away from other vessels as much as possible and remember that sailboats always have the right of way.

RELATED: A New Law Makes Using a Critical Boat Safety Feature Mandatory

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Watch: C8 Corvette Data Recorder Catches GM Tech Street Racing Customer Car

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Are Chevy dealers good with their techs testing a customer’s C8 Corvette at 148 mph? How about street racing a Dodge Charger? Nah, we didn’t think so. But this Corvette Performance Data Recorder does not lie. The whole thing was caught with video to match. 

This happened when a customer’s 2021 C8 was dropped off at the local Chevy dealer for an issue with the engine. It turned out it was just a loose spark plug wire. That was the happy news. But the rest of this is not so happy.

Dealer techs testing C8 Corvettes is always a good thing

C8 Corvette data recorder showing 148 mph | Reddit

The tech thought it best to test drive the Stingray just to make sure everything was in working order. This is a good thing to do. It is the lack of judgment after taking the Corvette for that test drive that has shocked many.

The Performance Data Recorder was recording everything, even if the tech didn’t remember it was. Including video. Over the course of a half-hour, the tech finds this Corvette check out well, going 148 mph just to make sure.

Is this how GM techs are supposed to test customer’s C8 Corvette?

Fremont Chevrolet technician races C8 through traffic at 147MPH from IdiotsInCars

Oh, and wanting to check out the Corvette’s acceleration and handling. You can see him speeding and accelerating with swiftness and confidence. After all, nobody knows it is a customer car. 

Dicing through traffic and hitting triple-digit speeds throughout the blitz, he spies a Dodge Charger. That’s the perfect opportunity to check out overall performance. Or not. 

Both drivers cut through heavy traffic to run the Corvette through its paces. Is this the recommended testing procedure approved by Chevrolet? Nah, we didn’t think so. All the while the Performance Data Recorder logs everything that is going on. 

Remind your service rep that the data recorder is always on

C8 Corvette data recorder showing 148 mph
C8 Corvette data recorder approaching Dodge Charger | Reddit

Once the owner found the info he uploaded it to social media for us all to enjoy. We can now see what grueling testing GM techs put cars through when they’re brought in for service. This should give one solace that their Chevy is being taken care of by the experts at your local Chevy dealer. 

Yeah, GM does not approve of this. But there have been numerous postings of other PDR videos showing similar stunts done with customers’ Corvettes in for service. Maybe the service manager should place a warning tag on the rearview mirror to remind the service department that they are being recorded? 

So, sit back and enjoy this joyride turned street race by a proud member of this dealer’s service department. 

RELATED: There Are 4 Words Every Car Mechanic Absolutely Dreads Hearing

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American Trucks and SUVs Are Bigger Than World War II Tanks

by Gabrielle DeSantis

It is no surprise that American trucks and SUVs are enormous, but did we know just how big trucks and SUVs are? New reports show that the vehicles driven by regular people on regular roads every day in America are now bigger than the tanks used in World War II.

American trucks and SUVs are huge

American Trucks and SUVs are now bigger than World War II Tanks | Jean-Francois Monier/AFP via Getty Images

Most modern American trucks are outfitted with cameras at the front and the back of the vehicle to aid in visibility. That’s because these vehicles are too big to see what might be in front of the bumper, like a shopping cart or a person. A modern Ram 1500 or 2021 Ford F-150 is now bigger than a tank used in World War II. According to Jalopnik, a comparable World War II tank would be the 1942 M4 Sherman medium tank.

According to Ford, a 2021 Ford F-150 is between 209 and 250 inches long. It is around 80 inches wide. A Chevrolet Silverado is 260 inches long, and a Dodge Ram is 242 inches long. Even a Chevrolet Suburban is 226 inches long. According to the American Fighting Vehicle Database, the 1942 M4 Sherman tank was approximately 230 inches long, depending on the model. When it came to the width, it was around 103 inches wide.

Size comparison of modern American trucks and SUVs vs. World War II tanks

Tank measurements from the Online Tank Museum; car measurements from their respective manufacturers |
Mercedes Streeter, Jalopnik

In his Tweet, Andy Arthur, a graphic designer in England that a modern 2021 Ford Ranger Wildtrak truck was 212 inches long while the 1942 M4 Sherman tank was the 230 inches mentioned above long. It was only a few inches that divided the vehicles in width. The average length between a Range Rover, BMW X7, and Ford Ranger Wildtrak was 208 inches long in an unscientific comparison. The average width was 82 inches wide.

When it came to the average length and width of World War II tanks, Arthur used the Matilda, Panzer IV, and M4 Sherman as guidelines. The average length between these tanks was 228 inches long, while the width was 106 inches wide. The tanks had an edge on the trucks regarding width and height, but the length is pretty close. It is also worth noting the M4 Sherman tank was about 30 tons when it was ready for battle. A modern Ford truck is about two and a half tons.

The M4 Sherman had a sustained speed of around 21 mph, or 24 mph, in a hurry. That would undoubtedly hold up traffic trying to merge onto the highway.

When will the madness end?

As long as automotive makers continue to make large trucks and SUVs, people will buy these huge vehicles. Buyers can customize most trucks to be longer with various truck bed configurations, plus the Super Duty options which are also extraordinarily long and wide. But with the addition of the length of trucks is the addition of more safety features and intricate bumper designs.

Back in June, Consumer Reports questioned if these oversized trucks were becoming an oversized problem. Consumer Reports analyzed the hood height of passenger vehicles. Since the year 2000, the hood heigh of passenger trucks has increased by 11%. Pickup trucks grew 24% heavier, and the front of some vehicles is 55 inches off the ground.

There seems to be no end in sight with the size of trucks and SUVs, but buyers don’t seem to mind. Blind spots or not, buyers love these huge trucks that are about the size of a World War II tank. If these vehicles were not selling, then this would be a non-issue. But since buyers can’t get a truck big enough, it seems the upward trend will continue.

RELATED: The Ram 1500 Pickup Truck’s 3 Most Reliable Years

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