2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport vs 2020 Toyota Highlander

The 2020 Toyota Highlander presented a design that was subtly refined from its predecessor, with a slanted tailgate glass and more pronounced body panel creases. The trapezoidal theme was evident in various elements, including the tailgate's license plate cutout and the slimmer headlights. While the exterior might not have been groundbreaking, the interior was where the Highlander truly shone. Toyota focused on quality fit and finish, with silver-painted accents and a multi-layered dash that featured an 8-inch touchscreen. The interior colour palettes were pleasing, and the Limited trim boasted a three-tone interior with rich textures and padded surfaces, offering a level of detail that was hard to find in its competitors.

In contrast, the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport carried over much of the same design from the regular Atlas but with a lower roofline and aggressively raked rear hatch. This design choice gave it a mix of SUV ruggedness and car-like features, though some elements, like the fake exhaust tips, were less appealing. The interior followed VW's minimalist design, which was functional but let down by subpar materials. Despite leather upholstery and contrast stitching, the interior felt cheap, with hard and shiny plastics. The colour choices were dark and uninviting, and the flat-bottom steering wheel seemed out of place for a non-performance model.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander was equipped with a 3.5-litre V6 engine, available in both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) configurations. This engine delivered 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque, providing smooth and brisk acceleration. The eight-speed automatic transmission made full use of the engine's power, although it required a heavy foot for a kickdown. The Highlander's steering was loose, and the suspension was soft, leading to a ride that felt more like an older Buick. However, it offered a calming and isolating driving experience, especially on long road trips. Fuel efficiency was commendable, with the FWD model rated at 11.9 L/100 km in the city and 8.3 on the highway.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered two powertrain options: a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four and a 3.6-litre VR6 engine. The turbo-four produced 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, while the VR6 delivered 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. The VR6 engine provided lively acceleration from a stop, but midrange performance was lacking. The ride quality was among the worst for a modern crossover, with noticeable bumps and potholes. The steering was loose, and the vehicle handled like a truck, with significant body roll. The VR6 models had a towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms, while the four-cylinder models were rated for 907 kilograms.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander offered seating for eight, or seven with the second-row captain's chairs on Platinum trims. The second-row seats were versatile, with generous legroom and easy access to the third row. The Highlander excelled in ergonomics, with wide-opening rear doors and a comfortable seating height. Cargo space was generous, with 453 litres behind the third row, 1,359 litres behind the second, and 2,378 litres with both rows folded. The interior featured eight cupholders, four bottle holders, and two shelves integrated into the dash for added convenience.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport provided competitive interior space for a two-row midsize crossover. Front-seat and rear-seat legroom were near the top of the class, but rear headroom was limited due to the sloping roofline. Cargo space was above average, with 1,141 litres with the rear seats in place and 2,203 litres with them folded. The second-row seats featured a 60/40 split-fold and 14-degree backrest recline. The interior included cargo nets, cupholders, and storage bins, with a large cubbyhole ahead of the shifter for charge ports.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander featured an infotainment system that felt outdated, with low-resolution screens and a lack of onboard apps. The 12.3-inch touchscreen on the Platinum trim was underutilized, with limited usable area. However, the Highlander included a 10-inch head-up display and a 7-inch display in the instrument cluster, both offering crisp and useful information. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. The JBL audio system on Limited and Platinum trims was decent, and the vehicle offered a one-year trial for Safety Connect.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport came with two infotainment systems: the MIB2 on the Trendline trim and the MIB3 on higher trims. Both systems included USB-C ports, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. The MIB3 added multiple-device pairing and updated voice recognition. The Execline trim featured the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit, a 10-inch reconfigurable display, and a 12-speaker Fender audio system. The MIB3 system was slow to load, and the voice recognition required specific prompts. The Digital Cockpit display allowed for customizable gauge configurations, and analog controls made basic functions easy to access.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Highlander received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a 2020 Top Safety Pick from the IIHS.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport earned top scores in IIHS crash tests, with mixed headlight ratings. The NHTSA gave it a five-star overall rating. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist. The Cross Sport also featured an Automatic Post-Collision Braking System and Intelligent Crash Response System. New for 2021 were Travel Assist and Emergency Assist, available on the Execline trim.