2023 Toyota Sequoia vs 2022 Volkswagen Atlas

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas carried forward with minor modifications from its previous model year, offering a range of trims in Canada, including Trendline, Comfortline, Highline, and Execline. The Execline trim, which was the top of the line, featured R-Line design elements and 21-inch alloy wheels that enhanced its upscale appearance. Despite its bold and boxy design, the Atlas's interior was a mix of simplicity and premium flair, though it was let down by low-cost materials and hard plastics that detracted from its overall quality. The storage areas lacked linings, leading to unwanted noise and vibration, and the interior's shiny surfaces could have benefited from low-gloss coatings.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia, on the other hand, was a striking presence with its bold styling inspired by the Toyota Tundra. The Sequoia's interior shared an industrial theme with the Tundra, featuring leather, wood, and metallic finishes in the upscale Capstone trim. A massive 14-inch infotainment system dominated the dashboard, and the Capstone's interior was available in a luxurious cream white-over-black two-tone colour scheme. However, some interior materials reminded occupants of the Sequoia's pickup truck origins. The Sequoia lineup included various trims, with prices ranging from $79,335 to $95,335, and offered options like the TRD Pro for off-roading enthusiasts. Despite its rugged appearance, the Sequoia's off-road capabilities were somewhat limited compared to its predecessor.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas offered a choice between a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine and a 3.6-litre V6 engine. The turbocharged engine produced 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, but required premium fuel for optimal performance. It had a towing capacity of 907 kilograms and a fuel consumption rating of 10.6 litres per 100 kilometres. The V6 engine, standard on the Execline trim, delivered 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, with a towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms. However, the V6's acceleration was leisurely, and its fuel consumption was rated at 12.2 L/100 km. The Atlas featured various driving modes and an AWD system with Active Control calibrations, but its ride quality was affected by its 21-inch wheels and low-profile tires.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia was equipped with a hybrid powertrain consisting of a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine, a 10-speed automatic transmission, an electric motor/generator, and a battery pack. This setup produced an impressive 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque. The Sequoia's towing capacity was significantly higher than its predecessor, reaching 4,137 kilograms. It also boasted improved fuel efficiency, with a rating of 11.7 L/100 km. The Sequoia offered various driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+, but its ride quality was affected by its 22-inch wheels and low-profile tires. The steering was slow, and the regenerative braking system felt unresponsive at times.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas excelled in interior space and comfort, accommodating seven passengers with ample head and legroom, even in the third row. The step-in height was low, making it easy to enter and exit the vehicle. The Atlas offered generous cargo space, with 583 litres behind the third row, expandable to 1,572 litres with the third row folded, and 2,741 litres with the second row down. However, the unlined storage areas caused items to slide around and create noise.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia featured comfortable front seats with soft leather upholstery and a triple-zone climate control system. However, the second-row captain's chairs did not slide, limiting third-row legroom. The third-row seat was mounted above the battery pack, resulting in a high floor and limited thigh support. Cargo space was compromised by the hybrid powertrain, with only 325 litres behind the third row, expandable to 631 litres with the third row slid forward, and 1,387 litres with the third row folded. The Sequoia's maximum cargo capacity was 2,460 litres, significantly less than its predecessor.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas came with the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrument cluster, featuring an 8-inch display that expanded to 10.25 inches on higher trims. The MIB3 infotainment system offered an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 12-speaker Fender premium audio system on the Execline trim. However, the user experience was hindered by slow loading times and a cumbersome interface.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia featured a new Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system with a 14-inch touchscreen on most trims. It offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the Intelligent Assistant responded to voice commands. However, the system had some bugs, and the head-up display was not visible with polarized sunglasses. The Sequoia also included a surround-view camera system and a digital rearview mirror on higher trims.

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 Lane Assist system had issues with old construction markings, and the Atlas did not earn a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. It also featured blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors with automatic braking. While crash-test ratings were not available, the Sequoia's platform mate, the Tundra, received high ratings from the IIHS.