2023 Toyota Sequoia vs 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport was crafted by removing the third row from the standard Atlas model, lowering the roofline by nearly 6 centimetres for a sleeker coupe-like silhouette, and shortening the SUV’s length by 13.2 cm. Despite these changes, the wheelbase remained the same, ensuring a spacious interior for five passengers. However, the reduced length and angled rear window decreased cargo space to 1,141 litres behind the second-row seat, with a maximum of 2,203 litres. The Execline trim, with its 21-inch machined-finish wheels, added a bold and upscale appearance, although the base Comfortline trim's 18-inch wheels seemed undersized. The interior offered various colour combinations, but the presence of hard, glossy plastics detracted from the overall quality impression. The Atlas Cross Sport Execline was priced at $56,595 in Canada, slightly less than the standard Atlas Execline.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia presented a bold redesign, merging the rugged look of the Toyota Tundra with a newly styled SUV body. The Sequoia's traditional grille and front bumper distinguished it from the Tundra's "manta ray on wheels" appearance. Inside, the Sequoia shared design elements with the Tundra, featuring an industrial theme with leather, wood, and metallic finishes in the Capstone trim. A 14-inch infotainment system dominated the dashboard, and the interior was available in a cream white-over-black two-tone scheme. Despite its luxurious appearance, some materials reminded occupants of its pickup truck origins. The Sequoia lineup included various trims, with prices starting at $79,335 for the TRD Off-road and reaching $95,335 for the Capstone. The TRD Pro trim offered enhanced off-road capabilities, while the TRD Off-Road provided a more affordable option with off-road features.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered two engine options: a standard turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and an available 3.6-litre V6 engine delivering 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. The V6 engine, which did not require premium fuel, had a towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms, compared to the turbo-four's 907 kilograms. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and VW’s 4Motion all-wheel-drive system. The V6 engine provided a more energetic feel in the two-row version, although it occasionally lacked refinement. The Atlas Cross Sport's ride quality varied, with a harsh suspension at lower speeds and a softer feel at higher speeds. The vehicle excelled on highways, where the V6 engine was most efficient.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia featured a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine, a 10-speed automatic transmission, a 36-kilowatt electric motor/generator, and a 1.87 kilowatt-hour nickel-metal hydride battery pack. This hybrid powertrain produced 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque, significantly improving towing capacity to 4,137 kilograms. The Sequoia's fuel efficiency improved, with a rating of 11.7 L/100 km in combined driving. During testing, the Sequoia averaged 13.2 L/100 km. The vehicle offered various driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+, with a Custom mode for personalized settings. The Sequoia's ride quality varied depending on the mode, with a busy and occasionally jittery ride in urban settings. The steering was slow, and the regenerative braking system felt unresponsive.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport shared its wheelbase and interior dimensions with the larger seven-passenger model, providing ample space for five adults. The test vehicle featured 10-way power-adjustable front seats, heated and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, and a dual-zone automatic climate control system. A panoramic sunroof enhanced the spacious feel, while rear side-window sunshades protected passengers from sunlight. The Atlas Cross Sport offered generous storage space, although some areas lacked lining, leading to potential rattling. The cargo area provided ample space, with deep wells for additional storage. Despite the reduced cargo capacity compared to the seven-passenger model, the Atlas Cross Sport accommodated full-size suitcases and other items with ease.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia excelled on highways, offering a comfortable cabin with soft leather upholstery, a JBL premium audio system, and a triple-zone automatic climate control system. The Sequoia featured power-deploying running boards, a panoramic glass moonroof, and second-row captain’s chairs with separate climate controls. However, the third-row seat was less comfortable, with limited thigh support and legroom. The Sequoia's cargo space was compromised by the hybrid powertrain, with only 325 litres of cargo space behind the third-row seat. The adjustable cargo shelf helped maximize space, but the overall cargo capacity was reduced compared to the previous model. The Sequoia's maximum cargo capacity was 2,460 litres, significantly less than its segment rivals.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport came standard with a digital instrument cluster and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and wireless charging. The user experience was occasionally frustrating, with issues related to touchscreen interaction and voice recognition. The Execline trim featured a 12-speaker Fender premium audio system, which provided excellent sound quality.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia featured a new Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system, with a 14-inch touchscreen in most trims. The system was intuitive, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Intelligent Assistant responded to voice commands, although it occasionally provided incomplete information. The Sequoia allowed simultaneous Bluetooth pairing for two devices, but there were some connectivity issues during testing. The Capstone trim included a 10-inch head-up display and a surround-view camera system, although the display was difficult to see with polarized sunglasses.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered a range of safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The vehicle also included lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Execline trim featured a semi-autonomous Park Assist system and a 360-degree surround-view camera system. The Atlas Cross Sport received favourable crash-test ratings, although it did not earn the highest accolades from safety organizations.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia included a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance features as standard, bundled into Toyota Safety Sense 2.5. This package included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Sequoia also featured blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services. The adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assist systems were effective, although the lane-departure warning system was occasionally irritating. The Sequoia had not been crash-tested by safety organizations at the time of review, but the Tundra, on which it is based, received high ratings.