Toyota Land Cruiser vs Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport showcased a modern aesthetic with its updated lighting elements, including illuminated VW logos on the grille and tailgate. These features, along with a light bar connecting the daytime running lights and new LED headlights, gave the vehicle a contemporary look. The rear of the Cross Sport, with its lower roofline, offered a silhouette reminiscent of German luxury crossover coupes, distinguishing it from other midsize crossovers. The interior saw revisions with a raised centre console and a new electronic shifter, providing additional storage space. The cabin featured standard leatherette upholstery, with higher trims offering leather and quilted leather options, although the simulated wood and carbon-fibre trims remained plastic.

In contrast, the 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser embraced a more traditional SUV design with a two-box structure that maximized off-road capabilities and visibility. The base 1958 model had a retro look with round headlights and cloth seats, while the Cruiser trim offered a more modern appearance with additional colours and upscale interior features. The Cruiser trim also included critical off-roading hardware and software, enhancing its utility. The interior was utilitarian, with traditional switchgear and a focus on functionality. The Cruiser trim's Premium Package added leather upholstery and advanced technology, making it feel worth the investment despite its higher price point.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport was powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 269 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard 4Motion all-wheel drive in Canada, replaced the previous 3.6-litre VR6 engine. The new turbo-four offered better torque and quicker acceleration, with peak torque arriving at 1,550 rpm. However, the engine's noise-to-power ratio was a concern, and the Cross Sport's driving experience was less engaging, with a ride quality that could be affected by larger wheels. The towing capacity remained at 2,268 kilograms, typical for a midsize crossover.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser featured Toyota's i-Force Max hybrid system, combining a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine with an electric motor, producing 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. This setup, along with a full-time four-wheel-drive system, allowed for a towing capacity of 2,720 kilograms. The Land Cruiser excelled in off-road conditions with features like Downhill Assist Control, Crawl Control, and Multi-Terrain Select modes. However, its fuel efficiency was lower than expected, and its handling on twisty roads was limited by its suspension tuning. Despite these drawbacks, the Land Cruiser offered a powerful and responsive driving experience, especially in urban and off-road settings.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered a well-equipped interior with features like heated side mirrors, a power liftgate, and ventilated front seats. While front headroom was competitive, the sloping roofline reduced rear-seat headroom, though legroom remained adequate. The cargo space was generous, with 1,141 litres available with the rear seats up and 2,197 litres with them folded. The cabin's functionality was enhanced by a redesigned centre console and ample storage options.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser's interior varied between trims, with the Cruiser offering SofTex artificial leather and ventilated front seats. The Premium Package added real leather and a sunroof. Front seats were comfortable, but the second-row seats lacked support. The cargo area provided 1,062 litres of space, with a high load floor requiring effort to load heavy items. Maximum cargo space reached 2,324 litres with the rear seats folded.

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. While the screens were user-friendly, the haptic touchpads for controls were less intuitive. The Execline trim included a head-up display and a Harman Kardon premium audio system.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser's Cruiser trim upgraded to dual 12.3-inch displays with the Toyota Audio Multimedia system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Premium Package added a JBL premium sound system and advanced features like a head-up display and digital key technology. The Drive Connect system provided cloud-based navigation and a digital assistant for voice commands.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with standard driver assistance features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. The Execline trim added park assist and a surround-view camera system.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser included Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, offering features like forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Premium Package added front cross-traffic alert and lane-change assist. The Land Cruiser received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with some challenges in adaptive cruise control performance.