Toyota Sienna vs Volkswagen Atlas

The 2026 Toyota Sienna was available in several trims, including the LE, XLE, XSE, Limited, Woodland Edition, and Platinum, with prices ranging from $42,915 to $60,305. The Woodland Edition, priced at $53,790, featured a Cypress green exterior, which complemented its outdoorsy theme. However, despite its name and subtle suspension lift, the Woodland Edition lacked a rugged appearance. The interior, only available in black, felt dark and uninviting, with a noticeable amount of cheap plastic. The shifter and glove compartment door had a flimsy feel, and the unlined storage areas contributed to unwanted noise. Despite these drawbacks, the Sienna's wide dashboard and center console gave it a crossover SUV feel from the driver's seat.

The 2027 Volkswagen Atlas underwent a redesign that mostly succeeded in enhancing its already attractive appearance. The SUV featured a crisp character line and flared wheel arches, giving it a robust profile. The rear design was particularly striking, with cascading taillights and selectable lighting animations. However, the front design, with its stacked headlights and dual light bars, was less appealing compared to the previous model. The interior saw significant improvements, with real wood on the dash and various leather options, including Garnet Red Nappa leather in the SEL Premium R-Line. The ambient lighting system offered up to 30 colors, creating a vibrant atmosphere. Overall, the Atlas's cabin felt more luxurious than its price suggested.

The 2026 Toyota Sienna featured a hybrid powertrain with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, a nickel-metal hydride battery, and an electric motor, delivering a combined 245 horsepower. This setup provided adequate performance for urban and suburban driving but lacked power for highway passing and mountain climbs. The Woodland Edition came with standard e-AWD, while other trims offered FWD with optional AWD. The Sienna's fuel efficiency was rated at 35 mpg combined by the EPA, but real-world testing showed lower figures, especially in challenging conditions. Despite its smooth ride and predictable handling, the Sienna's driving experience was unexciting, with a noisy engine and a brake pedal that lacked responsiveness.

The 2027 Volkswagen Atlas was powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 282 horsepower. Although torque decreased to 258 pound-feet, the Atlas remained quick and responsive. The eight-speed automatic transmission provided smooth shifts, and AWD was standard on R-Line trims. The Atlas offered a satisfying driving experience, with precise steering and improved ride quality on 21-inch wheels. Fuel economy improved to 25 mpg combined for FWD models and 23 mpg for AWD, with a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds. The Atlas's driving dynamics and comfort made it a standout in the three-row SUV segment.

The 2026 Toyota Sienna prioritized practicality, with features like a four-zone climate control system and power sliding doors. However, the Woodland Edition lacked ventilated front seats, which were available on higher trims. The second-row captain's chairs offered comfort and flexibility but limited third-row space when fully extended. The Sienna's cargo capacity was 33.5 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 75.2 cubic feet with the third row folded. However, the maximum cargo volume of 101 cubic feet was less than other minivans due to non-removable second-row seats.

The 2027 Volkswagen Atlas continued to offer generous interior space, with firm and supportive front seats and ample second-row legroom. The third row provided adult-friendly space, with 34.1 inches of legroom. The Atlas's cargo capacity was 21.2 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 55.9 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 95.4 cubic feet with all rear seats down. Standard features included a hands-free power liftgate and second-row sunshades, enhancing convenience for families.

The 2026 Toyota Sienna came equipped with a 12.3-inch digital driver display and touchscreen, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, and various connected services. Optional features included wireless charging and a JBL sound system. However, the Toyota Audio Multimedia system's daytime visibility was poor, and the voice recognition system struggled with specific commands.

The 2027 Volkswagen Atlas featured a 15-inch touchscreen on most trims, with a 12.9-inch unit on the base SE. The digital gauge cluster and head-up display were standard on R-Line trims. While the touchscreen handled most functions, the climate and volume sliders lacked haptic feedback. The Atlas offered generous device charging options, with two wireless pads and seven USB-C ports. A nine-speaker stereo was standard, with a 14-speaker Harman Kardon system on the SEL Premium R-Line. Some features required a subscription, but wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard.

The 2026 Toyota Sienna was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, offering features like forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist. However, it lacked some predictive technologies found in newer Toyota models. The Sienna received mixed safety ratings, with a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA but a Marginal result in the IIHS moderate overlap front-impact test.

The 2027 Volkswagen Atlas had not been crash-tested at the time of writing, but the previous model received high ratings. The Atlas came standard with VW's IQ.Drive suite, including automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitors, and adaptive cruise control. Emergency Assist Plus and a new front center airbag were notable additions, enhancing safety for occupants.