2022 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2022 Toyota Sequoia

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia, continuing its second generation into its 14th year, showcased a mature design that remained largely unchanged since its last major overhaul in 2008. Its exterior maintained a classic appeal with a modestly sized grille, elegant wheel arches, and straight body lines, giving it a substantial presence. Despite its age, the Sequoia's interior was crafted with high-quality materials, ensuring durability and longevity, although it appeared somewhat dated compared to modern SUVs. The Nightshade Special Edition model, based on the Limited trim, exemplified Toyota's efforts to keep the Sequoia relevant with subtle updates.

In contrast, the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas, having received significant updates in 2021, carried over with minor modifications. The Atlas was available in four trim levels in Canada, with the Execline trim being the most equipped and expensive. The Execline featured R-Line design elements, including 21-inch alloy wheels that complemented its bold styling. Inside, the Atlas offered a simple yet premium design, though some materials felt low-cost. Despite this, the Atlas provided a spacious and comfortable interior, making it a strong contender in its class.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia was powered by a 5.7-litre i-Force V8 engine, producing 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and a lockable Torsen limited-slip centre differential in 4WD models. The Sequoia boasted a payload capacity of up to 608 kilograms and a towing capacity of 3,221 kilograms. Despite its hefty weight of around 2,721.5 kilograms, the Sequoia offered a smooth and stable ride, with excellent off-road capabilities thanks to its body-on-frame construction and independent double-wishbone suspension.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas offered two engine options: a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.6-litre V6 engine producing 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard 4Motion AWD. The V6 engine, while offering a towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms, lacked refinement and power compared to competitors. The Atlas featured various driving modes and Active Control calibrations, but its ride quality was affected by its large wheels and low-profile tires, leading to a busy ride on uneven surfaces.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia prioritized passenger comfort with spacious seating across all three rows and ample headroom and legroom. It featured three-zone climate control, a power moonroof, and heated front seats as standard. The Sequoia offered impressive cargo space, with 535 litres behind the third row, expanding to 1,886 litres with the third row folded, and a maximum of 3,401 litres with both the second and third rows down.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas excelled in interior space, comfortably seating seven adults with generous head and legroom. The Atlas offered various seating materials and features across trims, including leather upholstery and a panoramic sunroof. Cargo space was exceptional, with 583 litres behind the third row, 1,572 litres with the third row folded, and 2,741 litres with both rear rows down. However, many storage areas were unlined, leading to unwanted noise from items sliding around.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia's technology was outdated, with a 7-inch touchscreen and a 4.2-inch TFT driver information screen. While Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, the infotainment system felt clunky. Higher trims added navigation and a JBL premium audio system. The Sequoia lacked modern powertrain technologies, relying on its traditional V8 engine.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas featured the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit as standard, with an 8-inch display on lower trims and a 10.25-inch display on higher trims. The Atlas offered the MIB3 infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 12-speaker Fender audio system on Execline models. However, the user experience was hindered by slow loading times and cumbersome controls.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia came equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense P suite, including pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. It also featured a blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, and the STAR safety system with stability control, traction control, and more. However, it lacked crash-test ratings from NHTSA and IIHS.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas offered a comprehensive list of safety features, including automatic post-collision braking, 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 did not earn a Top Safety Pick rating from IIHS, and its NHTSA frontal-impact ratings were not class-leading.