2021 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2020 Toyota Sienna

2020 Toyota Sienna
2020 Toyota Sienna
$29,715MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Volkswagen Atlas
2021 Volkswagen Atlas
$31,545MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2020 Toyota Sienna
$29,715MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Volkswagen Atlas
$31,545MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

CarGurus highlights

Winning Vehicle Image

According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2020 Toyota Sienna is 7.8 out of 10, while the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas scores 6.5 out of 10. Based on these ratings, the Toyota Sienna is the recommended choice, offering superior cargo space, safety features, and overall value for families seeking a reliable minivan.

Overview

MSRP

$29,715

MSRP

$31,545

Average price

$31,466

Average price

$28,105

Listings

488

Listings

1515
Ratings & Reviews
User Reviews
User Reviews

Expert reviews

7.8 out of 10

Expert reviews

6.5 out of 10
Pros
  • Great handling
  • Plenty of cargo space
  • Standard advanced safety features
Cons
  • Poor ergonomic design
  • Twitchy steering
Pros
  • Spacious
  • Excellent value for money
  • Spacious third row
Cons
  • Poor fuel economy
  • Poor ride quality
  • Uninspired styling

2020 Toyota Sienna Reviews Summary

Since the second half of the 20th century, each decade has had a hot-topic family car, and, as we’ve noted in a number of reviews this year, the crossover is our current darling vehicle. Before the crossover, there were big, truck-based SUVs. Before that, there were station wagons.

And for the past 35 years, there's always been the minivan.

The Dodge Caravan has been widely considered the Patient Zero of the minivan segment. From there, seemingly everyone joined the party, including Toyota, Nissan, Ford, Chevy, GMC, Volkswagen, Oldsmobile, Ford, and more. Heck, even Mercury had a “Nautica Edition” version of the Villager.

The minivan was king once, the crossover is king now, and some other type of vehicle will likely dominate in the near future. But in all this, the 7- and 8-passenger minivans will always represent the ultimate in versatility. The crossover is an image-forward fad with a dash of usability, but the minivan continues to prove itself as the pinnacle of practicality.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna is neither the newest nor flashiest minivan out there, but when you absolutely need space for people and gear, there’s nothing better. Additionally, the Sienna is the only minivan to offer all-wheel drive (AWD), which is something specifically desired by many car buyers.

2021 Volkswagen Atlas Reviews Summary

Introduced for the 2018 model year, the Atlas is Volkswagen's latest attempt to win over American buyers. Built in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the VW Atlas competes in the three-row crossover SUV segment against well-established nameplates like the Ford Explorer, Honda Pilot, and Toyota Highlander. Changes for 2021 are limited to exterior styling tweaks and a reshuffled option list. VW also offers the two-row Atlas Cross Sport.
Popular Features & Specs

Engine

3.5L 296 hp V6

Engine

2.0L 235 hp I4

Drive Train

FWD

Drive Train

FWD

Seating Capacity

2

Seating Capacity

7

Horsepower

296 hp @ 6200 rpm

Horsepower

MPG City

19

MPG City

21

MPG Highway

26

MPG Highway

24
2020 Toyota Sienna
2020 Toyota Sienna
$29,715MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Volkswagen Atlas
2021 Volkswagen Atlas
$31,545MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2020 Toyota Sienna
$29,715MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Volkswagen Atlas
$31,545MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

CarGurus highlights

Winning Vehicle Image

According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2020 Toyota Sienna is 7.8 out of 10, while the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas scores 6.5 out of 10. Based on these ratings, the Toyota Sienna is the recommended choice, offering superior cargo space, safety features, and overall value for families seeking a reliable minivan.

Overview
MSRP
$29,715
$31,545
Average price
$31,466
$28,105
Listings
Ratings & Reviews
User reviews
4.9
4.7
Expert reviews

7.8 out of 10

Read full review

6.5 out of 10

Read full review
Pros & cons
Pros
  • Great handling
  • Plenty of cargo space
  • Standard advanced safety features
Cons
  • Poor ergonomic design
  • Twitchy steering
Pros
  • Spacious
  • Excellent value for money
  • Spacious third row
Cons
  • Poor fuel economy
  • Poor ride quality
  • Uninspired styling
Summary

Since the second half of the 20th century, each decade has had a hot-topic family car, and, as we’ve noted in a number of reviews this year, the crossover is our current darling vehicle. Before the crossover, there were big, truck-based SUVs. Before that, there were station wagons.

And for the past 35 years, there's always been the minivan.

The Dodge Caravan has been widely considered the Patient Zero of the minivan segment. From there, seemingly everyone joined the party, including Toyota, Nissan, Ford, Chevy, GMC, Volkswagen, Oldsmobile, Ford, and more. Heck, even Mercury had a “Nautica Edition” version of the Villager.

The minivan was king once, the crossover is king now, and some other type of vehicle will likely dominate in the near future. But in all this, the 7- and 8-passenger minivans will always represent the ultimate in versatility. The crossover is an image-forward fad with a dash of usability, but the minivan continues to prove itself as the pinnacle of practicality.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna is neither the newest nor flashiest minivan out there, but when you absolutely need space for people and gear, there’s nothing better. Additionally, the Sienna is the only minivan to offer all-wheel drive (AWD), which is something specifically desired by many car buyers.

Introduced for the 2018 model year, the Atlas is Volkswagen's latest attempt to win over American buyers. Built in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the VW Atlas competes in the three-row crossover SUV segment against well-established nameplates like the Ford Explorer, Honda Pilot, and Toyota Highlander. Changes for 2021 are limited to exterior styling tweaks and a reshuffled option list. VW also offers the two-row Atlas Cross Sport.
Video
Popular Features & Specs
Engine
3.5L 296 hp V6
2.0L 235 hp I4
Drive Train
FWD
FWD
Seating Capacity
2
7
Horsepower
296 hp @ 6200 rpm
MPG City
19
21
MPG Highway
26
24
Look and feel
2020 Toyota Sienna
6/10
2021 Volkswagen Atlas
6/10

The 2020 Toyota Sienna, in its third generation, had been around since 2011 and received an update in 2018. Despite these updates, the 2020 model still felt somewhat dated, with occasional upscale touches overshadowed by its overall aged design. The hollow "thud" of the front doors and the instrument panel, reminiscent of Toyota's 2010 parts bin, highlighted its age. However, the simplicity of the controls made them user-friendly. The Sienna offered a range of trims, from the well-equipped base L to the luxurious Limited Premium, each adding features like power sliding doors, leather upholstery, and a power rear liftgate. The Nightshade Edition added a touch of style with dark accents and wheels, appealing to those who wanted a minivan with a cool factor.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas received a styling refresh, featuring new bumpers, LED headlights, and a grille shared with the Atlas Cross Sport. These changes gave it a more extroverted look, although the fake chrome exhaust tips were seen as a bit cheesy. The Atlas maintained its MQB platform, offering trims with 18 to 21-inch wheels and standard roof rails. The interior was minimalist, with a focus on functionality, though the material quality in the SE with Technology trim was below average. The Atlas provided a standard seven-seat configuration, with optional second-row captain’s chairs, and offered more third-row legroom than most competitors, albeit at the expense of second-row comfort.

Performance
2020 Toyota Sienna
7/10
2021 Volkswagen Atlas
6/10

The 2020 Toyota Sienna was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 296 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque through an 8-speed automatic transmission. It offered stout acceleration, with a Sport mode for enhanced throttle and shift response. The Sienna's handling was surprisingly decent for a minivan, thanks to its low center of gravity and broad base, although its steering was twitchy at higher speeds. The Sienna offered both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive options, with the latter available only in a 7-passenger configuration. Fuel economy for the FWD model was 19 mpg city, 26 highway, and 21 combined, while AWD versions returned slightly lower figures.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas offered two engine options: a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four with 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.6-liter VR6 with 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with standard FWD and optional 4Motion AWD. The driving experience with the base engine and AWD was underwhelming, with rough shifts and truck-like handling. The Atlas had a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds with the VR6 engine, while the four-cylinder models were limited to 2,000 pounds. Fuel economy for the four-cylinder models was 22 mpg combined with FWD, while VR6 models returned 19 mpg combined with FWD.

Form and function
2020 Toyota Sienna
9/10
2021 Volkswagen Atlas
7/10

The 2020 Toyota Sienna excelled in cargo space, offering 150 cubic feet, surpassing competitors like the Chrysler Pacifica and Honda Odyssey. However, accessing this space required removing the second-row seats, which was easier with captain’s chairs than a bench. The third row folded seamlessly into the floor, but accessing the backseat could be challenging. Toyota also offered mobility access features, such as the Auto Access Seat, making the Sienna a practical choice for those needing such capabilities.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas provided 96.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the front seats and 20.6 cubic feet with all seats up. It offered more third-row legroom than most competitors, but at the expense of second-row comfort. The second-row bench was uncomfortable, with thin cushions. Folding and raising the seats was straightforward, and third-row access was easy. The Atlas featured a driver-focused layout, with controls within easy reach and up to five USB ports. It also offered up to 17 cupholders, though forward visibility was less than optimal.

Technology
2020 Toyota Sienna
9/10
2021 Volkswagen Atlas
7/10

The 2020 Toyota Sienna came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, supporting Amazon Alexa and Apple CarPlay. It included Bluetooth connectivity, five USB ports, and a WiFi hotspot with a 6-month trial. Higher trims offered features like navigation and a JBL premium audio system. The Driver Easy Speak intercom system allowed the driver to communicate with rear passengers without raising their voice.

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

Safety
2020 Toyota Sienna
9/10
2021 Volkswagen Atlas
7/10

The 2020 Toyota Sienna came standard with the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS-P) suite, including lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, and dynamic cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring was optional on lower trims and standard on XLE and Limited trims. The Sienna earned five stars in NHTSA crash tests and a top rating of Superior from the IIHS for its driver-assistance features.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas received top ratings in IIHS crash tests, with mixed headlight ratings. The NHTSA had not published ratings for the 2021 model, but the 2020 model received a five-star overall rating. The Atlas came standard with automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring, with adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist available on higher trims. Later in the year, it was set to receive Travel Assist and Emergency Assist features.

Cost Effectiveness
2020 Toyota Sienna
7/10
2021 Volkswagen Atlas
6/10
N/A
CarGurus logo

By: CarGurus + AI

At CarGurus, our team of experienced automotive writers remain at the heart of our content operation, conducting hands-on car tests and writing insightful guides that are backed by years of industry experience. To complement this, we are harnessing AI to make our content offering more diverse and more helpful to shoppers than ever. To achieve this, our AI systems are based exclusively on CarGurus content, ratings and data, so that what we produce is both unique to CarGurus, and uniquely helpful to car shoppers.