2024 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas underwent a styling refresh that enhanced its original design, dating back to the Volkswagen CrossBlue concept from 2013. This update included new lighting elements, such as light-up VW logos similar to those on the ID.4 electric crossover. The front logo illuminated in white, while the rear logo shone red. A front light bar connected to the daytime running lights, which were part of the new LED headlights reminiscent of those on a Ford Expedition. These subtle changes gave the Atlas a new "face," emphasizing American swagger over European influences. At the rear, the taillights seamlessly blended into a full-width light bar housing the illuminated logo. All trim levels received new wheel designs, with the base SE model featuring 18-inch alloy wheels, while higher trims boasted 20-inch and 21-inch wheels. The Atlas Peak Edition joined the lineup, offering a more rugged appearance with black 18-inch wheels, all-terrain tires, and unique exterior colors. Inside, the Atlas featured a revised center cabin with a freestanding infotainment touchscreen and a compact shifter, creating additional storage space. The interior aimed for an upscale feel with improved fake wood trim and optional leather upholstery, though some materials felt more suited to a base model.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser offered two trim levels, with the base model named the 1958, paying homage to the year it was first sold in the US. This version had a retro look with round headlights, cloth seats, and basic equipment, available in three paint colors. The more modern and upscale Land Cruiser model, priced higher, featured a refined interior with larger screens and essential off-roading hardware. The Premium Package added leather upholstery and advanced technology. Our test vehicle, equipped with the Premium Package, showcased Heritage Blue and Grayscape paint, 20-inch wheels, and an accessory roof rack. The Land Cruiser's design maximized off-road clearances and utility, with a traditional two-box SUV shape. Inside, the utilitarian interior featured traditional switchgear, with the Java-colored leather providing a pleasing contrast. Dual 12.3-inch digital screens added a technological edge, and the steering-wheel controls were notably intuitive. The Land Cruiser excelled in off-road capability, with features like a front stabilizer bar disconnect and Multi-Terrain Monitor camera views, making it a capable vehicle for adventurous drivers.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas saw a reduction in powertrain options, leaving only a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine. This engine, an iteration of VW's EA888, produced 269 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, offering more torque than the previous VR6 engine. The engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with standard front-wheel drive and optional all-wheel drive. The Atlas demonstrated improved acceleration, with FWD models achieving 0 to 60 mph in eight seconds and AWD models in 8.3 seconds. Despite these improvements, the Atlas remained focused on comfort and practicality rather than performance. The ride quality was consistent with previous models, and the Peak Edition added all-terrain tires and an Offroad driving mode. However, the 4Motion AWD system was primarily designed for pavement, lacking low range and underbody protection. The Atlas maintained a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, except for the base SE model, which was rated for 2,000 pounds.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser featured Toyota's i-Force Max hybrid system, combining a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor and an eight-speed automatic transmission. This setup delivered 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque, with a full-time four-wheel-drive system and electronic locking differentials. The Land Cruiser boasted a maximum towing capacity of 6,000 pounds and included features like Downhill Assist Control and Crawl Control. The more expensive Land Cruiser model added Multi-Terrain Select off-roading modes and a front stabilizer bar disconnect. While the official EPA ratings suggested 23 mpg combined, real-world testing yielded 15.7 mpg. The Land Cruiser excelled as a daily driver and off-road adventurer, with impressive suspension tuning that absorbed rough terrain. However, it struggled on twisty roads due to its tires and suspension. The Land Cruiser's off-road capabilities were enhanced by features like Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Monitor camera views, providing ample ground clearance and maneuverability.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas offered more standard features, including a heated steering wheel and ventilated front seats on the base SE trim. The SE with Technology added a power liftgate, while leather upholstery and heated second-row seats became standard on the SEL trim. The Atlas accommodated seven passengers with a three-seat second-row bench that could split-fold, recline, and slide. Second-row captain's chairs were available on higher trims, reducing seating capacity to six. The Atlas provided competitive headroom and legroom across all three rows, with the third-row legroom being the best in its class. Cargo space varied from 20.6 cubic feet with all seats in place to 96.6 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded, offering more cargo space than most rivals.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser upgraded from cloth upholstery to SofTex artificial leather in the base model, with heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The Premium Package added real leather and a power sunroof. While the front seats were comfortable, the second-row seats lacked thigh support and had an uncomfortable backrest angle. The Land Cruiser's rear window design was less practical, and the center console's cool box seemed unnecessary. The Land Cruiser offered 46.2 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 82.1 cubic feet with the seats folded, though the high load floor required effort when loading heavy items.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas received more standard tech features, including a 12-inch touchscreen and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster. Wireless phone charging and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were now standard. The Atlas featured six USB-C ports, with up to eight available, and a head-up display on higher trims. The premium audio system switched to Harman Kardon, offering a 12-speaker system on higher trims. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with sharp graphics and a map view in the digital instrument cluster. However, haptic touchpads for controls like audio volume and headlights were less intuitive.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser upgraded to two 12.3-inch displays with the Toyota Audio Multimedia system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and access to Apple Music and Amazon Music accounts. Five connected service plans were available, including Drive Connect with cloud-based navigation and a digital assistant. The Premium Package added a 14-speaker JBL sound system, a wireless smartphone charger, a head-up display, a digital rearview mirror, and digital key technology.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in side crash testing and four stars in frontal and rollover tests. The IIHS had not released ratings for the 2024 model, but the 2023 model received high scores in most crash tests. The Atlas included more standard driver-assist features, such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The SEL Premium R-Line added park assist and a surround-view camera system. Emergency features included automatic post-collision braking and an emergency assist feature.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, featuring advanced driving assistance systems like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist provided semi-autonomous highway driving. Additional safety features included a road sign reader, automatic high-beam headlights, and Predictive Driving Assist. 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 four stars in frontal-impact tests and five stars in side-impact testing.