2023 Toyota Sienna 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, and shortening the SUV’s length by 13.2 cm. This resulted in a more coupe-like appearance while maintaining the same wheelbase, ensuring a spacious interior for five passengers. However, the design changes reduced cargo space to 1,141 litres behind the second-row seat and a maximum of 2,203 litres. The Execline trim, with its 21-inch machined-finish wheels, emphasized a bold and sporty look, although the base Comfortline trim's 18-inch wheels seemed undersized. The interior offered various appealing colour combinations, but the presence of hard, glossy plastics detracted from the overall quality impression.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Sienna aimed to shed its minivan image with a front-end design reminiscent of a Japanese bullet train. Despite its minivan roots, the Sienna offered a smart choice for families with its larger cargo capacity and creative interior features. The Sienna came in various trims, including the new 25th Anniversary Special Edition. The interior was praised for its high-quality materials, such as the brown leather upholstery and wood-grain accents in the Platinum trim. The Sienna accommodated seven or eight passengers, with the middle row supporting three-across car seats. The second-row captain’s chairs were functional and comfortable, offering features like extending ottomans and sliding capabilities for added legroom.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered two engine options: a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder with 235 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, and a 3.6-litre V6 producing 276 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque. The V6, paired with VW’s 4Motion AWD system, provided a towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms. Despite its power, the V6 felt aged, and the ride quality was inconsistent, with a harsh suspension at low speeds and a soft, compliant feel at higher speeds. The Atlas Cross Sport excelled on highways, but road noise was more intrusive than expected.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna, on the other hand, featured a hybrid powertrain with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and electric motors, delivering 245 net system horsepower. While the powertrain was less powerful than competitors, the Sienna’s chassis and steering were commendable, offering nimble handling and a comfortable highway ride. The Sienna’s drive modes included EV, Normal, Eco, and Sport, but the EV mode was largely ineffective, and the Sport mode lacked excitement. Despite its size, the Sienna was easy to drive in urban settings, thanks to its light steering and tidy turning radius.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport shared its wheelbase and interior dimensions with the larger Atlas, providing ample space for five adults. The interior featured 10-way power-adjustable front seats, heated rear seats, and a dual-zone climate control system. Storage was abundant, though many compartments lacked lining, leading to potential rattles. The cargo area offered plenty of space, with deep wells for additional storage, though the shorter length and lower roofline reduced overall cargo capacity.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna excelled in interior storage solutions, with a large cubby below the centre console and a long shelf across the dash. The Sienna’s three-zone climate control was standard, with four-zone available on higher trims. The minivan’s platform made excellent use of space, offering 949 litres of cargo space behind the third row and a total of 2,860 litres. The second-row captain’s chairs were highly functional, with features like extending ottomans and sliding capabilities for added legroom. The Sienna’s permanent middle row was a trade-off for those needing maximum cargo space.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport featured a digital instrument cluster and an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, the user experience was often frustrating, with issues in touchscreen interaction and voice recognition. The Execline trim included a 12-speaker Fender audio system, which was highly praised.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna, however, used an older infotainment interface with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, requiring a wired connection. The interface was functional but felt outdated and clunky. Despite this, the 9-inch touchscreen didn’t appear undersized, and the 12-speaker JBL audio system provided good sound quality.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered a range of safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. Higher trims added adaptive LED headlights and a semi-autonomous Park Assist system. While the Travel Assist system was generally accurate, it occasionally lacked refinement. The Atlas Cross Sport received favourable crash-test ratings but did not earn top accolades from safety organizations.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna impressed with its standard safety technology, including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Sienna received a 5-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS. While competitors offered additional features like intercom systems and rear-seat cameras, the Sienna focused on essential safety features.