2025 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas was offered in five trim levels, including the SE, SE with Technology, Peak Edition, SEL, and SEL Premium R-Line. The Peak Edition had an off-road-ready appearance, while the SEL Premium R-Line boasted a sporty look with the most standard equipment. A five-passenger version, the Atlas Cross Sport, was also available, featuring a more rakish design but otherwise similar to the three-row Atlas. Prices ranged from $38,200 to $53,205, excluding a $1,425 destination charge. The Atlas SEL Premium R-Line, tested in Mountain Lake Blue with a Shetland Beige leather interior, had a polished aluminum detailing, front and rear light bars, and 21-inch wheels, giving it a chiseled, upscale appearance. Inside, diamond-stitched leather, metallic accents, and artificial wood created a warm environment, though touch-sensitive controls for temperature and stereo volume were less satisfying to use.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser was available in two trim levels, with the base model named the 1958, featuring a retro look with round headlights and basic equipment. The more modern Land Cruiser model offered a nicer interior, larger screens, and critical off-roading hardware. The test vehicle, equipped with the Premium Package, had Heritage Blue and Grayscape paint, 20-inch wheels, and a roof rack, bringing the MSRP to $71,004. The Land Cruiser had a traditional two-box SUV design, maximizing off-road clearances and room for people and cargo. Its utilitarian interior featured traditional switchgear, with Java-colored leather providing color contrast. The dual 12.3-inch digital screens added a technologically advanced feel, and the steering-wheel controls were intuitive compared to other models.

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas featured a new turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, replacing the previous engine options. It produced 269 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and available in FWD or 4Motion AWD. Despite initial skepticism, the engine proved refined and satisfying for daily driving, with a generous torque curve between 1,600 rpm and 4,500 rpm. However, the ride quality was less impressive, with a brittle suspension over road imperfections and excessive body motions at highway speeds. The handling was predictable, with the Bridgestone Alenza all-season tires being the weakest link. The Atlas returned 15.5 mpg in urban conditions and 19.2 mpg overall, below the EPA ratings of 18 mpg city and 21 mpg combined.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser came with Toyota’s i-Force Max hybrid system, combining a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor, producing 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. It featured a full-time 4WD system with electronic locking differentials and a 6,000-pound towing capacity. The Land Cruiser offered impressive off-road capabilities with features like Multi-Terrain Select and Crawl Control. However, its handling on twisty roads was less favorable due to its tires and suspension tuning. The Land Cruiser returned 15.7 mpg during testing, below the EPA rating of 23 mpg combined. Despite this, it excelled in urban and off-road environments, with a high seating position and excellent visibility.

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas excelled in form and function, offering a comfortable third-row seat and a cavernous cargo area. The SEL Premium R-Line model featured heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats, with excellent outward visibility and a surround-view camera system. The second-row bench seat accommodated three adults comfortably, with ample legroom and a climate-control panel. Access to the third-row seat was outstanding, with generous clearance and adequate leg support. The Atlas provided 20.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 96.6 cubic feet with the second row folded.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser, with the Premium Package, featured real leather upholstery and a power sunroof. The front seats were comfortable, but the second-row seats lacked thigh support and had an uncomfortable backrest angle. The rear window design was less favorable, and the center console's cool box reduced storage space. The Land Cruiser offered 46.2 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 82.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The high load floor height required effort when loading heavy items.

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas used the VW Group’s MIB3 operating system with a 12-inch touchscreen display. It lacked traditional controls, relying on touch-sensitive buttons and a touch-and-slide volume control. The native digital voice assistant was an extra-cost option and performed inconsistently. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto provided a better experience, with the Harman Kardon audio system delivering excellent sound quality. However, the MIB3 system had user-experience glitches, such as incorrect song titles and confusing navigation screens.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser featured 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. The Drive Connect system provided cloud-based navigation and a conversational digital assistant, performing well in voice recognition tests. The Premium Package added a JBL premium sound system, wireless smartphone charger, head-up display, digital rearview mirror, and digital key technology.

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas included standard driver-assistance features under the IQ.Drive umbrella, such as Front Assist, Active Side Assist, Lane Assist, Emergency Assist, and Travel Assist. It also featured adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and a rear cross-traffic alert system. The Atlas earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and was a 2024 IIHS “Top Safety Pick.”

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser came with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian detection. It also featured lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. The Premium Package added front cross-traffic alert, lane-change assist, and Traffic Jam Assist. The Land Cruiser received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with a three-star rollover resistance rating.