2023 Toyota Sienna vs 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

Volkswagen aimed to give the 2022 Atlas Cross Sport a bold, sporty, and upscale appearance by making some noticeable alterations from the standard seven-passenger Atlas model. It removed the third row, dropped the roofline by 2.3 inches, and shortened the SUV’s length by 5.2 inches. While the wheelbase remained unchanged to ensure an exceptionally roomy interior for five people, the stubby rear end and angled window led to a reduction in cargo space.

The changes imparted a daring and stylish look, especially noticeable in the SEL Premium R-Line trim equipped with newly standard 21-inch machined-finish wheels. These chunky, five-split-spoke wheels underscored the Atlas Cross Sport’s broad-shouldered stance. However, not all wheel choices were equally appealing. The base SE model’s 18-inch alloys appeared too small for the SUV’s design, while the SE with Technology trim got larger 20-inch wheels, which looked more fitting. The SEL trim’s 20-inch machined finish wheels felt somewhat delicate, and the SEL R-Line Black proudly displayed black wheels.

Paint color options were diverse, with six available hues, half of which required an extra payment. The test vehicle’s Pure Gray paint looked stunning, especially when paired with the Dark Burgundy over Titan Black interior. Other interior color choices, like Cinnamon Brown and Titan Black, all conveyed a high-end aesthetic.

However, the Atlas Cross Sport’s use of hard, glossy plastic within the interior dulled its impression of quality. Some storage compartments lacked Volkswagen’s typical rubber or fabric liners, leading to potential rattles and noises. Despite these shortcomings, the upscale trims made it feel worth the investment.

On the other hand, trying to distance itself from the typical minivan style, the 2023 Toyota Sienna bore the appearance of a Japanese bullet train at the front. The model featured various trims: LE, XLE, sporty XSE, upper-class Limited, top-shelf Platinum, and a new 25th Anniversary Special Edition. The XLE, in particular, struck an ideal balance between price and extra features desirable for families, like power-sliding doors and a power liftgate.

Inside, the Sienna impressed with its high-quality materials like the lovely brown leather upholstery in the Platinum trim and wood-grain accents on the center console. Its seating arrangements allowed for either seven or eight passengers based on the trim level, with the LE and XLE trims supporting the greater capacity. This flexibility, along with the middle-row bench seat's ability to support three car seats across, added to the Sienna’s family-friendly appeal.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered two engines. The standard engine was a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, achievable with premium fuel. This engine started delivering peak torque at 1,600 rpm, but the weight of the base SE trim with front-wheel drive sometimes made this engine feel less powerful than ideal.

An optional 3.6-liter V6 produced 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. Although it did not require premium fuel, it had a combined driving EPA fuel economy rating of 20 mpg, 2-3 mpg less than the turbo-four. Importantly, the V6 offered a 5,000-pound towing capacity compared to the turbo-four's 2,000 pounds, making it a better choice for trailering tasks. Both engines came paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with all-wheel drive available via VW’s 4Motion system.

The Atlas Cross Sport, particularly with the V6, felt more energetic than its standard three-row counterpart and demonstrated decent high-speed highway performance and grip in corners. However, the ride quality at low speeds over uneven surfaces could feel harsh, making for an inconsistent ride experience.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Sienna eschewed traditional gasoline engines in favor of a hybrid system incorporating a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two front-mounted electric motors and a third rear-mounted motor for AWD variants, resulting in a total of 245 horsepower. This might seem less impressive, especially when comparing to rivals like the Honda Odyssey, and the Sienna’s CVT often struggled noisily to climb the rev band.

However, the Sienna excelled in chassis and steering, offering surprisingly nimble handling given its size. Its light steering feel was ideal for city driving, and its varied drive modes—EV, Normal, Eco, and Sport—allowed some flexibility, though Normal mode proved to be the most practical.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport was spacious inside, thanks to its shared wheelbase, track width, and interior dimensions with the larger seven-passenger Atlas model. It easily accommodated five adults with plenty of rear legroom, making it especially family-friendly. It featured 10-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and a dual-zone automatic climate control system. A panoramic sunroof and rear side-window sunshades further improved comfort.

Nevertheless, the Atlas Cross Sport's cargo area suffered due to the overall reduction in vehicle length and height. It provided 40.3 cubic feet of space behind the second row and a maximum of 77.8 cubic feet when the second row was folded, though it still managed to offer plenty of room alongside well-thought-out storage areas.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna stood out with its thoughtfully designed interior, featuring plenty of storage cubbies, nooks, and shelves. It offered convenient spaces like a large cubby below the center console and a long shelf across the dashboard, suitable for small items like phones. With its substantial length and 120.5-inch wheelbase, the Sienna was undeniably roomy. It offered 33.5 cubic feet of space behind the third row, 75.2 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 101 cubic feet overall. However, it fell short compared to other minivans due to its middle row that couldn't be removed or folded into the floor.

Despite this limitation, the Sienna's second-row captain's chairs were highly functional, with features like extending ottomans and generous legroom, making the minivan practical for both passengers and cargo.

Standard technology on the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport SE included Volkswagen Digital Cockpit with an 8-inch display and a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system. This system supported Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and two USB-C ports.

Higher trims upgraded to a more sophisticated 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit, an 8-inch proximity-sensing touchscreen, Bluetooth for two devices, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, wireless smartphone charging, and additional USB ports. Our SEL Premium R-Line test vehicle featured a 12-speaker Fender premium sound system that was notably impressive.

Despite offering a range of modern features, users found the infotainment system could occasionally be cumbersome, particularly when using the included voice recognition technology without the Car-Net WiFi hotspot and associated upgrades. Pairing a smartphone for Apple CarPlay or Android Auto was often the most hassle-free option.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna lacked the latest infotainment technology, relying on Toyota’s older interface. Core features like SiriusXM, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a navigation system were present, along with seven USB ports. While the 9-inch touchscreen didn't look undersized in practice, the wired connection required for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, coupled with occasional access issues, revealed the system's age. Despite these drawbacks, the Sienna's technology was generally reliable, and the JBL audio system delivered good sound quality.

Safety features were robust in the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, with higher trims offering more advanced technology. Standard equipment included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and an automatic post-collision braking system. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control, parking sensors, low-speed automatic braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, and rear cross-traffic alert. The IQ Drive system introduced Travel Assist and Emergency Assist, enhancing safety.

The Atlas Cross Sport earned decent crash-test ratings, though it didn’t receive the highest accolades from the IIHS or NHTSA.

For the 2023 Toyota Sienna, safety was a key focus, with standard features like automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning with steering assist, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. The Sienna boasted a 5-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS for the 2022 model, positioning it as a very safe family vehicle.