2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid vs 2022 Volkswagen Atlas

A 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid pays for itself in a little more than three years. We’ll show you the math later in this review, but based on national averages, it goes from being more expensive to buy to saving you money after about three years of ownership.

Toyota sells the model year 2021 RAV4 in Hybrid LE, Hybrid XLE, Hybrid XSE (with or without Technology Package), and Hybrid Limited trim levels. Pricing runs from $32,950 to $43,350, not including an $1,860 destination charge.

Until 2018, Volkswagen seemingly ignored the fact that North America wanted roomy, functional SUVs. But that year, a right-sized Tiguan arrived ready to challenge the leaders in the compact SUV class and the family-sized Atlas went on sale to wage war in the three-row SUV segment. Both addressed criticism that Volkswagen was out of touch by going above and beyond with regard to passenger comfort, cargo space, and utility.

Now, five years later, the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas is essentially unchanged following a substantial refresh for the 2021 model year. And though the 2022 Atlas remains a study in contrast, it is easy to understand why people buy it. Sometimes, size does matter.