2024 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2025 Toyota Sienna

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas underwent a styling refresh that enhanced its original design, dating back to the Volkswagen CrossBlue concept from 2013. This update included new lighting elements, most notably the light-up VW logos similar to those on the ID.4 electric crossover. The front logo illuminated in white, while the rear logo shone red. A front light bar connected to the daytime running lights, which were part of the new LED headlights reminiscent of those on a Ford Expedition. These subtle changes gave the Atlas a new "face," emphasizing American swagger over European influences. At the rear, the taillights seamlessly blended into a full-width light bar housing the illuminated logo. All trim levels received new wheel designs, with the base Comfortline model featuring 18-inch alloy wheels, the Highline 20-inch wheels, and the Execline 21-inch wheels with sportier styling elements. The Atlas Peak Edition, introduced in 2024, added an outdoorsy flavour with black 18-inch wheels, all-terrain tires, and unique exterior colours like Avocado Green and Pure Grey. Inside, the Atlas featured a revised interior with a freestanding infotainment touchscreen and a minimalist design that contrasted with its rugged exterior. Volkswagen aimed to elevate the interior's upscale feel with improved fake wood trim and new weaved plastic trim options. Leatherette seats were standard, while leather upholstery with contrast stitching was available on higher trims.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna, while maintaining its minivan identity, attempted to infuse style into its design. The trapezoidal grille, reminiscent of a hand vacuum, didn't entirely dispel the "Dustbuster" metaphor. Upswept body lines, hidden sliding door tracks, and swollen rear fenders contributed to its unique look, with narrow taillights drawing a family resemblance to the Camry sedan. The Platinum package introduced new flower-petal wheel designs. Despite these efforts, the Sienna still looked like a minivan, prioritizing practicality over aesthetics. Our test vehicle, the top-of-the-line Toyota Sienna Limited with the Platinum package, featured the new Magnetic Grey paint colour. The Canadian lineup included LE, XLE, and XSE trims, with prices ranging from $51,219 to $73,753, including destination charges and fees. Toyota updated the Sienna's interior for 2025, with the Platinum package offering a "new woodgrain finish" for an upscale look. However, a 17-year-old passenger found the material unappealing, describing it as "chopped." Despite this, the Sienna's interior was generally considered an improvement over previous models.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas saw a reduction in powertrain options, leaving only a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine. This engine produced 269 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque on regular fuel, compared to the previous VR6's 276 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque. The new engine, part of VW's EA888 family, was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive (AWD) in Canada. The Atlas was quicker than the six-cylinder 2023 model, reaching 100 km/h in approximately 8.5 seconds. While the driving experience focused on comfort and frugality, the four-cylinder engine provided smooth acceleration but generated more noise than thrust. Ride quality remained consistent with the pre-refresh Atlas, and the Peak Edition added all-terrain tires and an Offroad driving mode. However, the 4Motion AWD system was primarily designed for pavement, lacking low range and underbody protection. The Atlas maintained a maximum towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms (5,000 pounds), matching most rivals but falling short of the Nissan Pathfinder's 2,720 kilograms (6,000 pounds).

The 2025 Toyota Sienna featured a hybrid powertrain with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Front-wheel drive (FWD) was standard, with an available all-wheel-drive (AWD) system utilizing an additional rear-mounted electric motor. The hybrid system delivered a net horsepower rating of 245, which, while not particularly high, was sufficient for the Sienna's seating capacity of up to eight and towing capability of 1,587 kilograms (3,500 pounds). The electric assist motor provided immediate torque, preventing the Sienna from feeling sluggish. In city driving, the powertrain was unobtrusive, and highway cruising was quiet. However, hard acceleration resulted in a droning CVT. The hybrid powertrain prioritized fuel economy, with an official rating of 6.6 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving for the FWD model. During testing, the Sienna averaged 8.9 L/100 km combined. While handling was predictable and secure, the Sienna's steering lacked precision, and the brakes experienced temporary fade during a mountain descent. The Sienna XSE offered a sport-tuned suspension for a slightly more engaging drive, but the standard suspension provided a smooth, absorbent ride with excellent impact isolation.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas offered more standard features for 2024, including heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats, and a power liftgate on the base Comfortline trim. Heated second-row seats were standard from the Highline trim. The Atlas accommodated seven passengers with a three-seat second-row bench that could split-fold, recline, and slide. It could also hold three child seats side by side and tilt and slide forward with the seats in place. Second-row captain's chairs were optional on Highline and Execline trims, reducing seating capacity to six. The third-row bench was 50/50 split-folding. The Atlas offered competitive headroom and legroom across all three rows, with third-row legroom being the best in its class. Cargo space varied from 2,735 litres with the second and third rows folded to 583 litres with all seats in place. With the third row stowed, cargo capacity reached 1,571 litres. The Atlas provided more cargo space than most rivals, except the Chevy Traverse.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna prioritized form and function, offering unique seating and cargo solutions. The front seats were power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated, wrapped in perforated leather in the Limited with Platinum package. However, the cushions felt hard after extended driving. The Platinum's second-row featured long-slide, reclining captain's chairs with ottoman-style leg rests, which were popular with teenagers. The refrigerated compartment on the back of the centre console was also appreciated. The third-row seat accommodated adults, and the sliding side doors and second-row seats facilitated easy loading and unloading. All but LE models had a hands-free power liftgate. Storage space was generous, with a wide tray under the centre console, but finding secure places for one-litre water bottles was challenging. Behind the third-row seat, the Sienna offered 949 litres of cargo space, expandable to 2,129 litres with the third row stowed. Maximum cargo capacity was 2,860 litres, less than rivals due to the Sienna's fixed second-row seats. Toyota's research suggested most minivan owners rarely removed seats, but those seeking maximum load space might find the Sienna lacking.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas received more standard tech features for 2024, including a 12-inch touchscreen and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster. Wireless phone charging and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were also standard. The Atlas featured six USB-C ports, with up to eight available, and a head-up display was standard on Execline. VW switched from Fender to Harman Kardon for its premium audio systems, with a 12-speaker system on higher trims. The upgraded infotainment system was user-friendly, with a map view in the digital instrument cluster. Graphics were sharp and easy to read, but VW's reliance on haptic touchpads for controls like audio volume and headlights made them less intuitive to use.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna's higher-spec models featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch touchscreen display for the Toyota Audio Multimedia (TAM) infotainment system. The Limited with Platinum package included a four-zone automatic climate control system, a 10-inch head-up display (HUD), and a camera-based digital rearview mirror. A rear 11.6-inch display, HDMI input, remote, and two wireless headphones were standard on the Limited trim. The TAM system offered four connected services plans with varying subscription periods. Service Connect and Safety Connect were free for up to 10 years, while Drive Connect and Remote Connect had three-year trials on selected trims. The TAM system's digital assistant, part of the Drive Connect plan, responded accurately to commands. However, features like cloud-based navigation and the digital voice assistant required an active subscription. The Sienna Limited featured a 12-speaker JBL premium audio system, but sound quality was muddy with excessive bass. The four-zone climate control system was appreciated, and the digital rearview camera offered zoom capability. The HUD provided useful information, but blind-spot warnings were absent.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas received a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), with five stars in side crash testing and four stars in frontal and rollover tests. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) hadn't released ratings for the 2024 Atlas, but the 2023 model received a "Good" score in most crash tests, except for a "Marginal" rating in the updated moderate overlap front test. Standard driver assistance features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Execline trim added park assist and a surround-view camera system. The Atlas also featured automatic post-collision braking, a crash response system, and an emergency assist feature.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna featured Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) 2.0, an older technology set compared to TSS 3.0. TSS 2.0 included forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centring assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Sienna also had automatic high-beam headlights, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The lane-centring assist performed well, but the adaptive cruise control required vigilance in urban areas. The 2025 Sienna introduced a rear-seat reminder system that detected movement within the cabin and issued warnings. The NHTSA gave the Sienna a five-star overall rating, but it received four stars in frontal crash tests and three stars for driver protection in frontal impacts, the worst result among minivans. No minivans earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.