2021 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2020 Toyota Sienna

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.