2021 Volkswagen Atlas 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. The vehicle featured projector-beam LED headlights across all trims, with more attractive LED running lamps reserved for the Limited and Platinum trims. The introduction of 20-inch alloy wheels on the top trims and new paint colours like Blueprint added a touch of elegance. Inside, the Highlander boasted a cabin where quality fit and finish were paramount. Silver-painted accents and a multi-layered dash with an 8-inch touchscreen created a sophisticated environment. The Limited trim offered a three-tone interior with rich textures, although some areas like the middle portions of the door panels lacked the same level of detail. The interior was comparable to the Kia Telluride, with features like SofTex leatherette and diamond quilting on the Platinum trim's seat backrests.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas underwent a styling refresh, featuring new front and rear bumpers, standard LED headlights and taillights, and a new grille. These changes extended the vehicle's length by 6 centimetres. The Atlas adopted a more extroverted look, although the fake chrome exhaust tips were considered a bit cheesy. The R-Line trim package added sportier bumpers and side skirts. Despite the cosmetic changes, the Atlas retained its MQB platform, shared with other VW models. The interior followed a minimalist approach, with a focus on functionality. The standard seating configuration included a three-row setup, with options for second-row captain’s chairs on higher trims. While the design was pleasing, the material quality on the mid-level test car was below average, with cheap-feeling plastics and simulated wood and metal trim. The Atlas offered a practical layout, but the interior lacked the refinement found in some competitors.

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 brisk acceleration without the need for turbochargers. The eight-speed automatic transmission made full use of the engine's power, although it required a heavy foot for kickdown. The Highlander's steering was loose, and the suspension was soft, leading to a ride that felt more like an older Buick. However, the vehicle offered a calming and isolating driving experience, ideal for long road trips. The AWD system on Limited and Platinum trims included torque vectoring and selectable driving modes, enhancing the vehicle's handling. Fuel efficiency was commendable, with the FWD model rated at 11.9 L/100 km in the city and 8.3 on the highway, while the AWD model achieved 11.7 L/100 km city and 8.6 highway.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas offered two engine options: a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four producing 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.6-litre VR6 with 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard 4Motion AWD. The base engine provided adequate acceleration, but the driving experience was underwhelming, with rough shifts and a truck-like handling. The Atlas's ride quality was poor, with every pavement imperfection felt in the cabin. The AWD system included an Active Control feature with different drive modes, but it did not improve on-road handling. The VR6 models offered a towing capacity of 2,267 kilograms, while the four-cylinder models were limited to 900 kilograms. Fuel efficiency for the four-cylinder models was rated at 10.9 L/100 km combined, while the VR6 models achieved 12.9 L/100 km combined.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander offered seating for eight, or seven with 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 vehicle's ergonomics were designed for easy ingress and egress, with a comfortable seating height. The Highlander featured three-zone automatic climate control, a 120-volt outlet, and a panoramic moonroof on higher trims. 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 vehicle included eight cupholders, four bottle holders, and two shelves integrated into the dash for added convenience.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas was designed as a family hauler, offering average passenger and cargo space for the segment. It provided 2,741 litres of cargo space behind the front seats and 583 litres with all seats up. The Atlas offered more third-row legroom than most competitors, but at the expense of second-row legroom. The second-row bench seat was uncomfortable, with thin cushions. The vehicle featured a sliding second-row bench for easy third-row access. Controls were logically laid out, with up to five USB ports and a wireless charging pad available. The Atlas offered a tall driving position, but forward visibility was limited. It included ultrasonic parking sensors and optional active park assist on higher trims.

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 limited in its functionality, with climate and fuel efficiency information always present. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration were standard. The vehicle included a 10-inch head-up display and a 7-inch display in the instrument cluster. The semi-automated driving system was effective, with adaptive cruise control and automatic high beams as standard features. The JBL audio system on higher trims offered decent sound quality, and the vehicle included WiFi, USB ports, and a one-year trial for Safety Connect.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas came with Bluetooth and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. The base trim featured a 6.5-inch touchscreen, while higher trims received an 8-inch screen with satellite radio. The Digital Cockpit was available on higher trims, offering a 10.3-inch reconfigurable display. The Atlas was set to receive the MIBIII infotainment system later in the model year, with improved features. The base audio system was decent, with an option to centre the sound in a specific row. A 12-speaker Fender audio system was available on the Execline trim.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander came 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 received top ratings in IIHS crash tests, with mixed headlight ratings. The NHTSA had not published ratings for the 2021 model, but the 2020 model received a five-star overall rating. The Atlas included standard automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring, with adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist available on higher trims. The Execline trim was set to receive more advanced driver aids later in the model year.