2024 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas went through a genuine metamorphosis with its styling. The first thing catching the eye was the new lighting elements. Both front and rear logos illuminated, with the front in white and the rear in red, similar to the updates seen in VW's ID.4. The new front light bar connected the daytime running lights in a striking fashion and merged seamlessly with new LED headlights reminiscent of a Ford Expedition. The rear taillights also incorporated into a full-width light bar, made the back as compelling as the front.

Its wheels got a makeover too. The SE base model came with 18-inch alloys, while mid-to-upper trim levels boasted 20-inch wheels. The crowning SEL Premium R-Line featured sporty 21-inch wheels. The 2024 lineup also introduced the Atlas Peak Edition with a rugged bent, including all-terrain tires, exclusive front fascia, and body cladding in front and side silver tones. Two new colors, Avocado Green and Pure Gray, added much-needed variety.

Inside, the Atlas featured a more organized center console, thanks to a free-standing infotainment touchscreen and a minimalist toggle shifter. The sophisticated functionality was slightly overshadowed by the stark contrast between its utilitarian exterior and upscale, almost minimalist interior. Upgrades in faux wooden grain, new weaved plastic trims, and leatherette replaced standard seating materials, while high-end trims flaunted diamond stitching and contrast stitching on the leather seats.

Meanwhile, the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander embraced its stature and robust design. Built on the TNGA-K platform, it shared its roots with models such as the regular Highlander and RAV4 but stood out for its sheer size—201.4 inches in length with a 116.1-inch wheelbase, setting it apart from competitors like the Kia Telluride.

Its design echoed more rugged inspirations with a blockier demeanor contrasted to the swooping lines seen in smaller Highlanders. The trapezoidal grille paired with narrow headlights and a slitted upper-grill bore a semblance to the off-roader Toyota 4Runner, providing a crossover blend with a touch of adventure aesthetics.

Toyota gave the Grand Highlander a luxurious interior outlook with Softex synthetic leather as a base option and real leather upholsteries available on higher trims. The Platinum trim offered a brown Portobello leather, exuding luxury. The 10-way power-adjustable driver seat and heat-ventilated settings ensured comfort, further enhanced by a sizable and accommodating center console.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas streamlined its powertrain options down to a single choice—a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine. This updated engine delivered 269 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, comfortably running on regular fuel. It symbolized an evolution from the previous turbo-four, which managed 235 hp and 258 lb-ft, and the VR6, which offered slightly more horsepower but less torque. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and available in either front-wheel or all-wheel drive (FWD/AWD), it delivered a manufacturer-estimated zero to 60 mph in 8 seconds for the FWD and 8.3 seconds for AWD.

The driving experience, although brisker than previous VR6 models, remained more oriented toward family comfort rather than sporty excitement. The elevated wheel sizes did not detract from ride quality, and the 4Motion AWD system, although not designed for hardcore off-roading, offered sufficient traction for on-road conditions. The Atlas maintained a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, aligning with most of its competitors, though the base SE was slightly limited at 2,000 pounds.

Toyota opted for varied powertrain offerings for the Grand Highlander. The base option was a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 265 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, while the 2.5-liter hybrid engine emphasized fuel efficiency with 245 combined net horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque. A Hybrid Max powertrain reigned supreme with 362 combined net horsepower and 400 combined net lb-ft of torque, ensuring impressive acceleration from zero to 60 mph in just 6.3 seconds. Both the gas and hybrid engines came with FWD and AWD, while the Hybrid Max was exclusively AWD.

Despite its size, the Grand Highlander commanded respectable road manners, though maneuverability was a bit of a challenge in tight spaces. While not the tightest handler in its class, the steering, though sometimes feeling like a well-sorted boat, remained manageable. The brakes performed admirably, providing linear and reassuring pedal feel. With three driving modes (Sport, Eco, Normal) supplemented by off-road modes (Mud & Sand, Rock & Dirt, Snow) for AWD models, the Grand Highlander adapted to varied terrains passably.

In 2024, the Volkswagen Atlas enhanced its roster of standard features. The base SE now featured a heated steering wheel and V- ventilated as well as heated front seats. Leather upholstery started from the SEL trim, showcasing VW's effort to push upscale features downward through the lineup. The standard seven-seat configuration with a three-seat second-row bench that tilted, slid, and optionally replaced with captain's chairs from the SE with Technology trim, added flexibility. The third row was practical with a 50/50 split-folding bench as standard, supporting the most competitive headroom and legroom in its class.

Cargo space didn't disappoint either. The Atlas offered 96.6 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded, 55.5 cubic feet with just the third row stowed, and 20.6 cubic feet with all seats up, positioning it strongly within its segment.

The Toyota Grand Highlander, being larger, naturally took cargo and passenger comfort to another level. It surpassed rivals with its cavernous interior and generous dimensions—a total cargo capacity of 97.5 cubic feet eclipsing the Telluride’s by approximately 10 cubic feet. With 57.9 cubic feet behind the second row and 20.6 cubic feet behind all three rows, the Grand Highlander prioritized ample space both for passengers and cargo.

Every row benefited from thoughtful design, ensuring six-foot adults could find comfort even in the third row, offering minivan-level practicality without compromising the SUV appeal.

Volkswagen upped its tech game with the Atlas by incorporating more tech features as standard. This included a 12-inch touchscreen, 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless phone charging, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. An upgrade from the six-speaker standard system to a 12-speaker Harman Kardon setup on higher trims enhanced the auditory experience. Despite the high-tech visuals, the reliance on haptic touchpads for some functions added a layer of complexity that might not appeal to everyone.

Conversely, Toyota optimized the Grand Highlander's tech offerings with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Features such as an intelligent assistant for voice commands and cloud-based navigation necessitated an extra investment for the subscription-based connected-services. Dual-device Bluetooth and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto came standard, while higher trims delighted passengers' senses with an 11-speaker JBL stereo system.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas garnered a five-star overall rating from NHTSA, with top scores in side crash tests and solid marks for frontal and rollover tests. The IIHS rated its structurally similar 2023 predecessor highly in most categories. Key safety features included VW's IQ.Drive package standard across all but the base SE trim, combining essentials such as forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. Advanced features for higher trims included a surround-view camera system and emergency assist technologies.

For the Grand Highlander, being all-new meant no available ratings from NHTSA or IIHS at the time. Yet, Toyota's TSS 3.0 equipped it with comprehensive safety features right out of the gate—automatic emergency braking, lane departure alert with enhanced object recognition, and adaptive cruise control with customizable distance settings, ensuring it stayed competitive.