2021 Toyota Sienna vs 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid aimed to redefine the minivan's aesthetic appeal, traditionally not known for its style. Toyota's designers gave the Sienna a more SUV-like appearance, with a wide grille and sleek LED headlamp arrays that integrated seamlessly with the Toyota logo. The side profile featured assertive lines, with re-engineered sliding doors that added a sculpted look, complemented by various alloy wheel sizes. The rear design maintained a wide and low stance, with Toyota's renowned fit and finish quality evident throughout. Inside, the Sienna emphasized width with horizontal lines, offering a comfortable seating position and a simple, uncluttered dashboard. The center console was thoughtfully designed with ample storage and smart features like a tray for handbags. The second and third rows provided comfort and flexibility, with the second row sliding to optimize space.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport shared much of its design with the regular Atlas but featured a lower roofline and aggressively-raked rear hatch, giving it a crossover coupe-like appearance. However, the styling was a mix of SUV ruggedness and car-like features, with some elements like fake exhaust tips appearing tacky. The Cross Sport was shorter and lower than the seven-seat Atlas, maintaining the same wheelbase. It came with standard LED lighting and various wheel sizes, with R-Line trims adding sportier styling. Inside, the minimalist design was visually appealing but let down by subpar materials, with hard plastics and rubbery leather detracting from the overall feel. The interior color scheme was dark and unwelcoming, and the flat-bottom steering wheel seemed out of place for a non-performance model.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid marked Toyota's first hybrid minivan, featuring a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors, producing a combined 243 horsepower. It offered front-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive available across all trims. The AWD system used a separate electric motor for the rear wheels, simplifying the mechanical setup. The Sienna employed an electronically controlled CVT, which, while efficient, dulled throttle response. It offered four drive modes: Normal, EV, Eco, and Sport. The Sienna's handling improved with new front suspension and steering, and independent rear suspension, minimizing body roll. The standout feature was its fuel economy, with FWD models achieving 36 mpg across the board and AWD models slightly lower.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport shared powertrain options with the seven-seat Atlas, offering a standard 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four and an optional 3.6-liter VR6 engine. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The turbo-four produced 235 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, while the VR6 delivered 276 hp and 266 lb-ft. The VR6 provided livelier acceleration but lacked midrange punch, and the transmission was slow to react. The ride quality was poor, with noticeable bumps and noise intrusion. Despite its "Sport" name, the Cross Sport handled like a truck, with significant body roll and loose steering. The VR6 model had a 5,000-pound towing capacity, while the four-cylinder was limited to 2,000 pounds. AWD models featured Active Control with multiple drive modes and 8 inches of ground clearance.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna excelled in convenience and functionality, with a standard third-row 60/40-split bench that folded into the floor. The second row slid up to 25 inches, facilitating access to the third row. The cabin boasted 16 cupholders and ample storage cubbies. The Sienna could carry a full four-by-eight sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed, offering 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 75.2 cubic feet behind the second, and 101.0 cubic feet behind the first. The hybrid battery was cleverly placed under the front seats, preserving cargo space. Power-operated sliding doors and tailgate responded to kick motions, enhancing family-friendliness.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered competitive interior space for a two-row midsize crossover, with top-tier front-seat and rear-seat legroom. However, rear headroom was limited due to the sloping roofline. Cargo space was above average, with 40.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 77.8 cubic feet with them folded. The second-row seats featured a 60/40 split-fold and 14-degree recline. SE with Technology trims added a foot-activated tailgate. The interior included cargo nets, cupholders, and storage bins, with a sizable center console and second-row armrest with integrated cupholders.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna was packed with technology, featuring a standard nine-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. It offered various connectivity trials, including Safety Connect and Remote Connect. Bluetooth, Qi-compatible charging, and a 1500-watt inverter were available. Audio systems ranged from a six-speaker stereo to a 12-speaker JBL package with Dynamic Navigation. A rear-seat entertainment system was optional, with an 11.6-inch display and wireless headphones. The driver enjoyed a multi-information display and, in Platinum trims, a 10-inch Head-Up Display. A digital rearview mirror was available, and keyless entry with push-button start was standard.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered two infotainment systems: the base MIB2 with a 6.5-inch touchscreen and the MIB3 with an 8-inch screen. Both included USB-C ports and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. MIB3 added multiple-device pairing and updated voice recognition. SEL models featured a Digital Cockpit with a 10-inch display, while SEL Premium models had a 12-speaker Fender audio system. The MIB3 system was slow to load, and the Fender audio was underwhelming. The Digital Cockpit allowed for customizable displays, and analog controls simplified basic functions.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, including dynamic radar cruise control, lane-tracing assist, and a pre-collision system. The Star Safety System was standard, along with 10 airbags and LATCH connectors. A rear-seat reminder system and tire pressure monitoring were included. The 2020 Sienna received good ratings from IIHS and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA, though 2021 ratings were pending.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport earned top IIHS crash test scores, with mixed headlight ratings. NHTSA gave it a five-star overall rating. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning and blind-spot monitoring, with optional adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist. Unique features included Automatic Post-Collision Braking and Intelligent Crash Response. New for 2021 were Travel Assist and Emergency Assist, available on higher trims.