2021 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2021 Toyota Sequoia

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas underwent a styling refresh that included new front and rear bumpers, standard LED headlights and taillights, and a new grille design. These changes extended the vehicle's length by 2.4 inches, giving it a more extroverted appearance compared to the previous model. The R-Line trim added sportier bumpers and side skirts, while the Atlas maintained its MQB platform, shared with other VW models. The interior was minimalist, with a standard seven-seat configuration and available second-row captain’s chairs. However, the material quality, especially in the mid-level SE with Technology trim, was below average, with cheap-feeling plastics and faux wood and metal trim.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Sequoia, despite its age, offered a spacious cabin with a massive center console and deep in-door pockets. The Sequoia's design was reminiscent of the mid-2000s, with a multi-tiered center dash and a standard 7-inch touchscreen that appeared small against the large dash. The Sequoia's trims ranged from the entry-level SR5 to the range-topping Platinum, with the new Nightshade Special Edition adding unique styling touches. The Sequoia's interior was comfortable, with bulky seats providing ample support, although the front seats were somewhat cramped for taller drivers. The Sequoia's power-retractable rear window was a notable feature, adding convenience for accessing the cargo area.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas offered two engine options: a standard 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four producing 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and an available 3.6-liter VR6 engine with 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with standard front-wheel drive and optional 4Motion all-wheel drive. The Atlas's driving experience was underwhelming, with rough shifts and poor ride quality, especially with the 20-inch wheels. The AWD system included different drive modes, but the Atlas lacked a 4WD system with low range, limiting its off-road capabilities. The VR6 models had a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, while the four-cylinder models were limited to 2,000 pounds. Fuel economy was unimpressive, with the four-cylinder engine rated at 22 mpg combined with FWD and the VR6 at 19 mpg combined.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia came standard with a 5.7-liter V8 engine producing 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The Sequoia offered standard rear-wheel drive and available four-wheel drive with low range. The V8 engine provided strong acceleration, and the Sequoia's driving dynamics were similar to a pickup truck, with a soft suspension and strong brakes. The Sequoia could tow up to 7,400 pounds, although it fell behind competitors like the Ford Expedition and Chevrolet Tahoe in towing capacity. The Sequoia's fuel economy was hindered by the six-speed transmission, which held gears longer under hard acceleration.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas offered 96.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the front seats and 20.6 cubic feet with all seats up. It provided more third-row legroom than most competitors, but at the expense of second-row legroom. The second-row bench seat was uncomfortable, with thin cushions. The Atlas featured a tall driving position, but forward visibility was limited. It included up to five USB ports and an optional wireless charging pad, along with 17 cupholders. Parking sensors and low-speed automatic braking were standard, with active park assist available on higher trims.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia boasted a spacious cabin with 120 cubic feet of cargo space with all rear seats folded. It offered 19 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row and 66 cubic feet with the third row folded. The Sequoia's power-retractable rear window was a convenient feature for accessing the cargo area. The front-row space could have been better utilized, but the Sequoia had deep in-door pockets and a massive center console. It included three cupholders front-and-center and a removable panel for additional storage.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas came with Bluetooth and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. The base S trim had a 6.5-inch infotainment touchscreen, while other models featured an 8-inch screen. Higher trims offered Volkswagen’s Digital Cockpit, replacing analog gauges with a 10.3-inch digital display. The Atlas was set to receive the MIBIII infotainment system later in the model year, adding multi-phone pairing and improved voice recognition. A 12-speaker Fender audio system was available on SEL and higher trims, and a built-in 4G LTE WiFi hotspot supported up to four devices.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia featured a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and a WiFi hotspot. Our test model had a larger 9-inch screen, but it still felt small on the large dash. The Sequoia's infotainment system was easy to use, with simple menu navigation and large hard buttons. The digital trip computer was small but functional, and the Sequoia's simplicity was refreshing despite its dated technology.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas received top "good" ratings in all IIHS crash tests, with a "marginal" rating for child-seat anchors and mixed headlight ratings. The NHTSA had not published ratings for the 2021 model, but the 2020 model received a five-star overall rating. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring, with adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist available on higher trims. The Atlas was set to receive more advanced driver aids later in the model year, including Travel Assist and Emergency Assist.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia came standard with the Toyota Safety Sense-P suite, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. It also included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and front-and-rear parking sensors. The Sequoia lacked more advanced tech like lane-keeping assist, and it scored four out of five stars in the NHTSA's rollover test.