2025 Toyota Sienna vs 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport showcased a refreshed design that mirrored the updates seen in its three-row sibling, the Atlas. It featured new lighting elements at both the front and rear, with the Volkswagen logos on the grille and tailgate now illuminated in white and red, respectively. This lighting innovation was first introduced on the all-electric Volkswagen ID.4. The front of the Cross Sport was adorned with a light bar connecting the daytime running lights, part of the new standard LED headlights, which contributed to a more Americanized appearance. Built in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the Cross Sport was designed specifically for the U.S. market. The rear of the vehicle, with its lower roofline, offered a silhouette reminiscent of German luxury crossover coupes, setting it apart from other two-row midsize crossovers. The Cross Sport was 5.2 inches shorter than the standard Atlas and sat slightly lower, enhancing its sporty stance.

The interior of the Cross Sport received the same updates as the standard Atlas, with a central touchscreen now standing upright and a raised center console providing additional storage space. The interior trim carried over from the three-row Atlas models, featuring standard leatherette upholstery, leather seats on SEL and higher models, and quilted leather upholstery with a diamond pattern on the top SEL Premium R-Line trim level. Despite efforts to improve the simulated wood and carbon-fiber-facsimile trim, it remained primarily plastic. The Cross Sport also introduced new wheel designs for 2024, with options ranging from 18-inch alloy wheels on the base SE to 21-inch wheels on the SEL Premium R-Line, which also boasted sportier styling elements.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna, while maintaining its minivan roots, attempted to infuse style into its design. The trapezoidal grille, upswept body lines, hidden sliding door tracks, and swollen rear fenders gave it a distinctive look, though it still resembled a minivan. The narrow taillights with sharp corner spears added a touch of elegance, drawing a family resemblance to the Camry sedan. The Platinum trim level introduced new flower-petal wheel designs, replacing the previous split-five-spoke design. Despite these efforts, the Sienna remained a practical choice for those seeking seating for up to eight passengers.

Our test vehicle, the top-of-the-line Toyota Sienna Platinum model, featured the new-for-2025 Magnetic Gray paint color. It topped a lineup that included the LE, XLE, XSE, Limited, and Woodland Edition, with prices ranging from $40,980 to $57,940, including the $1,495 destination charge. The interior of the Sienna received updates for 2025, with the Platinum trim level featuring a new woodgrain finish. However, opinions on the interior were mixed, with some finding the woodgrain finish unappealing. Despite this, the Sienna's interior was considered an improvement over previous models.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport was powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered standard front-wheel drive (FWD) and optional 4Motion all-wheel drive (AWD). This marked the end of an era for VW, as the Atlas and Cross Sport were the last models to use the automaker's 3.6-liter VR6 engine. The new turbo-four engine delivered 269 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque on regular fuel, slightly less horsepower but more torque than the previous VR6 engine. Peak torque arrived earlier, enhancing performance. While VW did not provide specific acceleration figures, it expected the 2024 Cross Sport to be quicker from zero to 60 mph than the 2023 model with the VR6.

The Cross Sport's maximum towing capacity remained at 5,000 pounds, except for the base SE model, which was rated at 2,000 pounds. Despite its "Sport" moniker, the Cross Sport was not particularly engaging to drive, with a ride quality that left much to be desired. The engine's noise-to-power ratio was a concern, and the vehicle's handling was uninspiring. The test car's 21-inch wheels may have contributed to the lackluster ride quality.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna featured a hybrid powertrain with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and a continuously variable transmission (CVT). It offered standard front-wheel drive (FWD) and an available all-wheel-drive (AWD) system with an additional rear-mounted electric motor. The hybrid system delivered a net horsepower rating of 245, which, while not particularly high, was sufficient for the Sienna's needs. The electric assist motor provided immediate torque, preventing the minivan from feeling sluggish. In city driving, the powertrain was unobtrusive, and the Sienna offered a quiet highway experience. However, hard acceleration revealed the CVT's droning sound.

The Sienna's hybrid powertrain prioritized fuel economy, with an EPA rating of 36 mpg in combined driving for the FWD model. During testing, the Sienna averaged 26.3 mpg with two occupants. While the Sienna's handling was predictable and secure, it lacked excitement. The steering was not particularly crisp or communicative, and the brakes experienced some fade during a mountain descent. The Sienna XSE offered a sportier look and a sport-tuned suspension, but expectations for driving enjoyment should be tempered. The standard suspension provided a smooth, absorbent ride with excellent impact isolation, akin to a marshmallow on wheels.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport received additional standard equipment for 2024, including heated side mirrors, two-zone automatic climate control, and a heated steering wheel. The front seats were now ventilated as well as heated. The SE with Technology trim added a standard power liftgate and tow hitch, while heated second-row seats and leather upholstery became standard on the SEL trim. Front headroom was competitive with rivals, but the Cross Sport's roofline compromised rear-seat headroom. Legroom was more competitive, offering a decent amount of space for front-row occupants.

Cargo space in the Cross Sport was generous, with 40.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the 60/40 split-folding rear bench seat. Folding the rear seats expanded the cargo area to 77.6 cubic feet, providing ample storage space. The cabin was functional, with a new center console offering plenty of storage space, including generously sized cupholders. The door pockets could accommodate multiple drink bottles without rattling.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna prioritized form and function, offering unique seating and cargo solutions. The front seats were power adjustable, heated, and ventilated, but the cushions felt hard after extended driving. The Platinum trim's second-row captain's chairs with ottoman-style leg rests were popular with passengers, and the refrigerated compartment on the back of the center console was a hit. The third-row seat was accommodating for adults, and the sliding side doors facilitated easy loading and unloading.

Storage space in the Sienna was generous, with a wide tray under the center console. However, finding secure places for large water bottles was a challenge. The Sienna offered 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seat, expanding to 75.2 cubic feet with the third-row seats stowed. Maximum cargo capacity was 101 cubic feet, less than rivals, but the Sienna's design prioritized ease of use over maximum load space. The second-row seats could be tipped forward but not removed, reflecting Toyota's research that most minivan owners rarely remove seats.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport came equipped with a 12-inch touchscreen, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and wireless phone charging. The infotainment system featured intuitive layouts and well-designed graphics, but the haptic touchpads used in place of conventional buttons were less user-friendly. The Cross Sport offered up to six USB-C ports, with a USB-C dash cam port added to SE with Technology and above models. The SEL trim included a head-up display, and the optional premium audio system was now from Harman Kardon.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch touchscreen display for the Toyota Audio Multimedia (TAM) infotainment system. The Platinum trim included a four-zone automatic climate control system, a 10-inch head-up display (HUD), and a camera-based digital rearview mirror. The TAM system offered access to five connected services plans, with varying complimentary subscription periods. The digital assistant, part of the Drive Connect plan, responded accurately to commands. The Sienna Platinum's infotainment system was paired with a 12-speaker JBL premium audio system, though the sound quality was not ideal.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport earned a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), with five stars in side-impact crash testing and four stars in frontal and rollover tests. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) had not released ratings for the 2024 model, but the structurally similar 2023 model earned top "Good" scores in most IIHS crash tests. The IQ.Drive package of driver aids, now standard on all models, included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and Travel Assist. Higher trims added features like predictive adaptive cruise control, park assist, and a surround-view camera system.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna featured Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) 2.0, which included forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Sienna also had automatic high-beam headlights, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The lane-centering assist performed well, but the adaptive cruise control required vigilance in urban areas. The Sienna introduced new rear-seat reminder technology, alerting drivers to movement within the cabin. The NHTSA gave the Sienna a five-star overall rating, but it scored three stars for driver protection in a frontal impact, the worst result among minivans.