Toyota Highlander Hybrid vs Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid was priced at just over $50,000 for the base Hybrid LE, with the Limited trim reaching $61,800 in Canada. It featured minimal appearance changes, with a new Cypress Green paint colour. The design was considered over-styled, with exaggerated forms and a lack of subtlety both inside and out. The interior was criticized for its mismatched textures, reflections, and a lack of quality feel, despite being quiet on the road. The controls and storage areas felt inexpensive, and the leather upholstery had issues staying tucked in. Overall, the interior was seen as visually obnoxious and of dubious quality.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport shared styling updates with the three-row Atlas, including new lighting elements and illuminated VW logos. It had a more modern look with a light bar connecting the daytime running lights and reshaped taillights. The Cross Sport's silhouette was likened to "crossover coupes" of German luxury brands, with a lower roofline and shorter length than the standard Atlas. New wheel designs were introduced, with options for 18-inch to 21-inch wheels. The interior revisions included a raised centre console and a new electronic shifter, with standard leatherette upholstery and quilted leather on the top trim. The cabin was functional, but the simulated wood and carbon-fibre-facsimile trim were still plastic.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid combined a 2.5-litre Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine with two electric motor-generators, producing 243 combined horsepower. It featured standard AWD and regenerative brakes. The SUV could accelerate with electric assist motors and had an EV mode for low-speed electric-only driving. However, the gas engine's torque was limited, affecting high-speed passing power and towing capability. The Highlander Hybrid offered Eco, Normal, and Sport driving modes, with a Trail mode for light off-road use. Its Predictive Efficient Drive system aimed to maximize fuel efficiency but returned 8.2 L/100 km on the evaluation loop, higher than the expected 6.7 L/100 km. The driving experience was described as soul-crushing, with soft suspension, a groaning CVT, and unengaging steering.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport featured a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 269 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard 4Motion AWD in Canada. The new engine offered more torque than the previous VR6 engine and was expected to be quicker from zero to 100 km/h. However, the engine note was not pleasant, and the noise-to-power ratio was concerning. The Cross Sport's driving experience was uninteresting, with poor ride quality, possibly due to the 21-inch wheels. The maximum towing capacity remained at 2,268 kilograms, standard for a midsize crossover.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid could carry seven or eight people, but the third-row seat was best for occasional use. Standard equipment included three-zone automatic climate control and heated front seats, with additional features like a heated steering wheel and ventilated front seats in the Platinum package. The second-row captain’s chairs were comfortable, but accessing the third row was challenging. The Highlander offered 453 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 2,387 litres with the second-row seats folded. However, the centre armrest storage console design was unnecessarily complex, and the optional all-weather cargo mat compromised utility.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport added more standard equipment, including heated side mirrors, two-zone automatic climate control, and a power liftgate. The front seats were ventilated and heated, with heated second-row seats and leather upholstery standard on the Highline. The Cross Sport's roofline affected rear-seat headroom, but legroom was competitive. It offered 1,141 litres of cargo space with the rear seats in place, expanding to 2,197 litres with the seats folded. The cabin was functional, with ample storage space in the new centre console and door pockets.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid introduced new technology, including a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment systems. The Limited trim featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen with over-the-air updates, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Connected service plans were standard, with Remote Connect allowing remote access via a smartphone app. The Drive Connect service plan offered an Intelligent Assistant and cloud-based navigation. The test vehicle included a head-up display and an 11-speaker JBL sound system. The infotainment platform was user-friendly, but the graphics lacked contrast.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport came standard with a 12-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The user experience was intuitive, but the haptic touchpads for controls were less effective than traditional buttons. Six USB-C ports were standard, and the Execline trim included a head-up display and a Harman Kardon audio system. The 12-speaker system was an upgrade from the standard six-speaker system.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid featured Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard, with front and rear parking sensors on higher trims. The ADAS worked well, except in certain situations, and the Highlander received excellent crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. Standard driver assistance features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The Execline trim added park assist and a surround-view camera system. All models featured post-collision braking and an emergency assist feature.