2024 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2023 Toyota 4Runner

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner 40th Anniversary Special Edition, or 40 ASE, was based on the SR5 trim level and added a retro flair with its unique design elements. This special edition featured retro body stripes, a heritage grille, bronze 17-inch wheels, and various bronze badges and stitching. It was available in black, white, or red paint with a black artificial leather interior. The 4Runner's design harkened back to truck-based SUVs of the past, offering a rugged and enduring appeal. Inside, the cabin was functional, with solid materials and easy-to-use controls, even when wearing gloves.

In contrast, the 2024 Volkswagen Atlas underwent a styling refresh, incorporating new lighting elements and a light-up VW logo. The front light bar connected to new LED headlights, giving the Atlas a more Americanized appearance. The rear featured a full-width light bar with an illuminated logo. The Atlas offered new wheel designs across its trim levels, with the Peak Edition adding an outdoorsy touch. Inside, the Atlas received a revised look with a freestanding infotainment touchscreen and a minimalist interior design. The interior aimed for an upscale feel with improved materials, although some areas still felt less premium.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner was equipped with a 4.0-litre V6 engine producing 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque. It featured a five-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive, offering a towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms. The 4Runner's off-road capabilities were enhanced by features like Active Traction Control, a locking rear differential, and Multi-Terrain Select. However, its on-road performance was less impressive, with leisurely acceleration and heavy steering. The 4Runner excelled in off-road conditions, providing a sense of invincibility, but it was less suited for everyday urban driving.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas, on the other hand, offered a single powertrain option: a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine producing 269 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive in Canada. The Atlas prioritized comfort and frugality over performance, with a focus on family hauling. While it offered a smooth ride and decent acceleration, it was not particularly thrilling to drive. The Atlas's 4Motion AWD system was designed primarily for pavement, lacking the off-road capabilities of the 4Runner.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner featured a unique rear window that powered down into the tailgate, providing excellent ventilation. The interior offered comfortable seating, with options for ventilated leather seats in the Limited trim. The second-row seating area was spacious, with good legroom and USB charging ports. However, the optional third-row seat was cramped and reduced cargo space. With the third row folded, the 4Runner offered 1,337 litres of cargo space, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas provided more standard features, including heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a power liftgate. It offered seating for seven, with a flexible second-row bench that could accommodate three child seats. The Atlas excelled in passenger space, with competitive headroom and legroom across all three rows. Cargo space was generous, with 583 litres available with all seats in place and up to 2,735 litres with the second and third rows folded. The Atlas offered more cargo space than most rivals, making it a versatile choice for families.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner featured traditional analog gauges and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It offered Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with real knobs and buttons that were easy to operate, even with gloves. While the display was small and the graphics dated, the system performed well, with reliable voice recognition.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas boasted more advanced technology, with a 12-inch touchscreen and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster as standard. It offered wireless phone charging, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Atlas featured a Harman Kardon premium audio system on higher trims, providing a superior audio experience. The infotainment system was intuitive, with sharp graphics and a map view in the digital instrument cluster. However, the reliance on haptic touchpads for controls was less user-friendly.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on all trims. However, the 4Runner's crash-test ratings were less impressive, with a four-star overall rating from NHTSA and a Marginal rating from IIHS for driver protection in the small overlap frontal-impact test.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas received a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, with five stars in side crash testing. It offered a comprehensive suite of driver assistance features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The Atlas also included advanced safety features like automatic post-collision braking and emergency assist. While IIHS ratings for the 2024 model were not available, the 2023 model received high scores in most crash tests.