2021 Toyota Venza vs 2022 Volkswagen Atlas

The 2021 Toyota Venza, with its sleek design, was often compared to a Lexus, blurring the lines between the two brands. Its exterior, reminiscent of the Lexus LF-1 Limitless concept, featured a distinctive grille and elongated profile, setting it apart from other Toyota SUVs. Available in three trims—LE, XLE, and Limited—the Venza offered a choice of seven paint colours, though not all were available across every trim. Standard features included LED lighting, a dual chrome-tipped exhaust, and 18-inch alloy wheels, with the XLE and Limited trims adding more luxurious touches like a 12.3-inch infotainment screen and a Star Gaze panoramic roof.

In contrast, the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas maintained its bold, boxy design with minor updates from the previous year. Available in four trims in Canada—Trendline, Comfortline, Highline, and Execline—the Atlas ranged in price from $41,595 to $57,695, plus a destination charge. The Execline trim, our test vehicle, featured R-Line design elements and 21-inch alloy wheels, enhancing its upscale appearance. While the interior boasted simplicity with a premium flair, the use of hard, shiny plastics detracted from its overall quality. Despite this, the Atlas offered a spacious and comfortable cabin, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2021 Toyota Venza was powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine paired with a lithium-ion battery pack, delivering a combined 219 horsepower and 163 pound-feet of torque. While not the most powerful in its class, the Venza provided smooth acceleration and confident handling, typical of a Toyota. Its standout feature was its fuel efficiency, achieving an impressive 5.9 L/100 km in the city and 6.1 L/100 km combined, making it twice as efficient as some competitors. Toyota backed its hybrid powertrain with a 10-year/240,000-kilometre warranty, adding peace of mind for buyers.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas offered two engine options: a standard turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and an optional 3.6-litre V6 engine producing 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. While the V6 provided better towing capacity at 2,268 kilograms, its performance was considered leisurely, and its fuel consumption was higher at 12.2 L/100 km combined. The Atlas featured various driving modes and an AWD system with Active Control calibrations, but its ride quality was criticized for being busy and noisy, especially with the Execline's 21-inch wheels.

Inside the 2021 Toyota Venza, the cabin offered a unique design with premium appointments, including a deep centre console with various controls and a wireless charging pad. The five-seater provided ample comfort for both front and rear passengers, with more headroom than the RAV4. However, its cargo space was limited to 816 litres, about 60% of the RAV4's capacity, though it remained practical for daily use.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas excelled in interior space, comfortably seating seven adults with ample head and legroom, even in the third row. The low step-in height made entry and exit easy, and numerous storage areas were available, though unlined, causing items to rattle. Cargo space was exceptional, with 583 litres behind the third row, expanding to 2,741 litres with all seats folded, surpassing many competitors.

The 2021 Toyota Venza featured the Entune infotainment system, with an 8-inch screen on the LE trim and a 12.3-inch screen on the XLE and Limited trims. While the system included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, its usability was criticized for requiring multiple menu trips for simple tasks. The Venza also offered a nine-speaker JBL audio system and various connected services, including Safety Connect and Remote Connect.

For 2022, the Volkswagen Atlas included the Digital Cockpit instrument cluster as standard, with an 8-inch display on lower trims and a 10.25-inch display on higher trims. The MIB3 infotainment system, available on all but the base Trendline, offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging, and a 12-speaker Fender audio system on the Execline trim. However, the system's user experience was marred by slow loading times and cumbersome navigation controls.

The 2021 Toyota Venza came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, offering a comprehensive suite of safety features, including a pre-collision system, lane-departure alert, and adaptive cruise control. It received top safety ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA, earning a Top Safety Pick and a five-star overall rating, respectively.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas offered a robust list of safety features, including Front Assist, Side Assist, and Rear Traffic Alert. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control, parking sensors, and a surround-view camera system. However, the Atlas's Lane Assist technology was criticized for misinterpreting road markings, and it did not earn a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, receiving four-star frontal-impact ratings from the NHTSA.