2023 Toyota Sequoia vs 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport was a bold and sporty take on the standard Atlas model, achieved by removing the third row, lowering the roofline by 2.3 inches, and shortening the SUV’s length by 5.2 inches. Despite these changes, the wheelbase remained the same, providing a spacious interior for five passengers. However, the design adjustments resulted in reduced cargo space, offering 40.3 cubic feet behind the second-row seat and a maximum of 77.8 cubic feet. The SEL Premium R-Line trim stood out with its 21-inch machined-finish wheels, enhancing the vehicle's broad-shouldered stance. While the base SE trim's 18-inch wheels appeared undersized, the SE with Technology and SEL trims offered more appropriately sized 20-inch wheels. The Atlas Cross Sport came in six paint colors, with the Pure Gray exterior and Dark Burgundy over Titan Black interior combination being particularly striking. Despite its upscale appearance, the interior's hard, glossy plastic detracted from the overall quality impression.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia made a significant visual impact with its bold styling, reminiscent of the Toyota Tundra pickup truck, but with a more traditional SUV body. The Capstone trim level featured an industrial-themed interior with leather, wood, and metallic finishes, dominated by a 14-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system. The Capstone's cream white-over-black two-tone color scheme added a touch of luxury, though some materials reminded occupants of its pickup truck origins. The Sequoia lineup included the SR5, Limited, Platinum, and TRD Pro trims, with prices starting at $59,895 for the base SR5 and reaching $79,895 for the Capstone with 4WD. The TRD Pro trim offered enhanced off-road capabilities, while the TRD Off-Road Package was available for the SR5 and Limited trims. The Capstone test vehicle featured 4WD, Wind Chill Pearl paint, and a rear air suspension, with an MSRP of $81,365.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered two engine options: a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.6-liter V6 engine delivering 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. The V6 engine, which did not require premium fuel, had a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, compared to the turbo-four's 2,000 pounds. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with FWD standard and VW’s 4Motion AWD system available. The Atlas Cross Sport SEL Premium R-Line came with the V6 engine and 4Motion as standard, providing a more energetic feel compared to the three-row Atlas. However, the V6 was aging, and the drivetrain occasionally lacked refinement, averaging 19.2 mpg during testing. The suspension, while keeping body roll in check, was too firm at low speeds and too soft at higher speeds, leading to a harsh ride on imperfect roads. The Atlas Cross Sport excelled on highways, where the ride quality was more agreeable.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia featured a hybrid powertrain with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, a 10-speed automatic transmission, a 36-kilowatt electric motor/generator, and a 1.87 kilowatt-hour nickel-metal hydride battery pack. This setup produced 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque, allowing the Sequoia to tow up to 9,520 pounds and carry a 1,730-pound payload. The new Sequoia was more fuel-efficient than its predecessor, with EPA ratings of 20 mpg with 4WD and 22 mpg with RWD. During testing, the Capstone 4WD averaged 17.8 mpg. The Sequoia offered Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+ driving modes, with the adaptive rear air suspension altering ride and handling traits. The suspension communicated road impacts unless in Eco or Comfort mode, and the steering was slow, requiring effort in tight maneuvers. The regenerative braking system felt unresponsive, leading to inconsistent braking behavior.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport shared its wheelbase and track width with the larger seven-passenger model, providing an exceptionally roomy interior for five adults. The test vehicle featured 10-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, heated rear outboard seats, a heated steering wheel, and a dual-zone automatic climate control system. A panoramic sunroof enhanced the sense of space, while rear side-window sunshades protected passengers from sunlight. The Atlas Cross Sport offered ample storage space, though many areas lacked lining, leading to potential rattles. The cargo area, while reduced compared to the seven-passenger model, accommodated full-size suitcases and additional items.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia excelled on open roads, with a comfortable cabin featuring soft leather upholstery, a JBL premium sound system, and a triple-zone automatic climate control system. The Capstone trim included power-deploying running boards, a panoramic sunroof, and second-row captain’s chairs with separate climate controls. However, the third-row seat was less comfortable due to its high floor and low roof, offering limited thigh support. The Sequoia's cargo space was compromised by the hybrid powertrain, with only 11.5 cubic feet behind the third row, expandable to 22.3 cubic feet by sliding the seat forward. The adjustable cargo shelf helped maximize space, but the overall capacity was significantly reduced compared to the previous model.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport SE came with an 8-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and two USB-C ports. Higher trims featured a 10.25-inch digital cockpit and an 8-inch touchscreen with additional features like wireless smartphone integration, SiriusXM, and wireless charging. The Car-Net connected service plans provided remote start, emergency assistance, and a WiFi hotspot. However, the user experience was sometimes frustrating, with the touchscreen and voice recognition technology proving challenging. The SEL Premium R-Line included a 12-speaker Fender premium sound system, delivering excellent audio quality.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia featured a new Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system, with an 8-inch touchscreen on the base SR5 trim and a 14-inch touchscreen on higher trims. The system was intuitive, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Connected services allowed for user accounts and an Intelligent Assistant, though some functionality was inconsistent. The Capstone trim included a 10-inch head-up display and a surround-view camera system, though glare and display accuracy were issues. The Sequoia's parking sensors and automatic braking system effectively prevented collisions, enhancing safety.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered a range of safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and an automatic post-collision braking system. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control, parking sensors, and lane-keeping assist. The IQ Drive system included Travel Assist and Emergency Assist, though the steering inputs were sometimes too obvious. The Atlas Cross Sport received favorable crash-test ratings, though not the highest accolades from safety organizations.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Additional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors with automatic braking. The Sequoia's safety systems were effective, though crash-test ratings were not available at the time of review. The Tundra, on which the Sequoia is based, received high ratings from the IIHS, suggesting similar performance for the Sequoia.