2022 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2023 Toyota Sienna

In 2022, the Volkswagen Atlas benefited from minor tweaks to its already refined design. Volkswagen simplified the Atlas lineup that year, offering trims like the SE, SE with Technology, SEL, SEL R-Line, SEL R-Line Black (new for 2022), and SEL Premium R-Line. Our test model, the SEL Premium R-Line, sported an exclusive Aurora Red paint and second-row captain’s chairs, bringing the total price to $53,790, including a $1,195 destination charge.

The Atlas presented a bold and boxy exterior design. For 2022, the SEL Premium trim flaunted standard 21-inch wheels with a machined finish, lending the SUV a more upscale aesthetic. Despite its ruggedness, some wheel choices didn’t quite match the vehicle's otherwise aggressive styling.

Inside, the Atlas aimed for a premium feel but incorporated several low-cost materials. While the design exhibited simplicity and a hint of luxury, the prevalence of hard and shiny plastics detracted from the overall quality. The storage areas lacked lining, causing potential noise and vibration issues. Adding low-gloss coatings could have improved the perception of material quality significantly.

Transitioning to the 2023 Toyota Sienna, this minivan attempted to shed its dated image with an innovative design. The front-end styling took inspiration from a Japanese bullet train, adding a futuristic vibe. Despite featuring 18-inch wheels on many trims, the front-wheel-drive XSE and Platinum trims boasted larger 20-inch wheels, aligning with the Sienna’s updated look.

The Sienna offered a plethora of trim options, including the LE, XLE, XSE, Limited, and Platinum. In 2023, Toyota introduced the 25th Anniversary Special Edition trim, fitting just below the Limited in price. The XLE trim appeared to be the sweet spot for value-conscious buyers, featuring standard LED fog lights, power-sliding doors, and a power liftgate.

Inside, the Sienna's Platinum trim impressed with high-quality brown leather upholstery and wood-grain accents. The minivan accommodated seven or eight passengers, with the LE and XLE trims supporting eight-seat configurations. This versatility extended to the middle row, which could fit three car seats across thanks to LATCH anchors.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas offered two powertrain options. The SE, SE with Technology, and SEL models had a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 235 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque with premium fuel. Despite promising figures, this engine's towing capacity maxed out at 2,000 pounds, and its combined EPA fuel economy was between 22 and 23 mpg.

For better performance, the 3.6-liter V6 engine, standard on upper trims and optional on some lower ones, delivered 276 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque. Its towing capacity reached 5,000 pounds, but acceleration remained underwhelming, even with a solitary driver. Fuel economy for the V6 hovered around 19 to 20 mpg combined. With Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual driving modes, and additional off-road calibrations for 4Motion AWD versions, the Atlas offered some driving flexibility. However, the V6 engine felt outdated, and the ride quality was far from refined, with pronounced road noise and a busy ride especially on the 21-inch wheels.

For the 2023 Toyota Sienna, Toyota went all-in on a hybrid powertrain. A 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with two front-mounted electric motors (and a third for AWD models) combined to produce 245 net system horsepower. This setup offered modest power, and the CVT emitted sounds that were less than pleasing. When compared to competitors like the Honda Odyssey, the Sienna’s acceleration fell short. Yet, the chassis and steering shone through, with nimble handling that made the minivan more enjoyable to drive than one would expect.

Driving modes in the Sienna included EV, Normal, Eco, and Sport. However, Eco mode overly extended the CVT's gears and dampened throttle response, and EV mode was practically unusable as the gas engine engaged frequently. Sport mode, while better, couldn't disguise the fact that this was still fundamentally a minivan.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas boasted exceptional interior space and comfort. Although cloth seats vanished with the base S trim discontinuation, the V-Tex leatherette seating and heated front seats added a touch of luxury. Higher trims introduced tri-zone automatic climate control, ambient cabin lighting, power-adjustable front seats, panoramic sunroof, genuine leather upholstery, and even ventilated front seats in the SEL Premium R-Line.

The standout feature of the Atlas was its spaciousness. It could comfortably seat seven adults, including those in the third row. Ample storage areas, though unlined, provided generous space for personal items. Cargo capacity was excellent, with 20.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 55.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and an impressive 96.8 cubic feet with both second and third rows down.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Sienna excelled with its clever interior storage solutions. Minivans are known for their cubbies, bins, and shelves, and the Sienna embraced this with aplomb. There was a substantial cubby below the center console, a long shelf extending across the dashboard, a sizeable center console bin, and abundant cupholders.

While the Sienna measured over 200 inches in length with a 120.5-inch wheelbase, it offered significant cargo space. Behind the third row, there were 33.5 cubic feet available. Folding the third row opened up 75.2 cubic feet, and total cargo space capped at 101 cubic feet. Although this didn’t match some competitors, Toyota’s decision not to make the third row removable allowed for comfortable middle-row seating with ample legroom for adults. The second-row captain’s chairs were highly functional, providing excellent thigh support with their extending ottomans and versatile sliding mechanisms.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas came standard with the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit, featuring an 8-inch display that expanded to 10.25 inches starting with the SEL trim. The digital display allowed for customization and provided a navigation option within the instrument cluster. However, the SE trim's 6.5-inch touchscreen felt outdated compared to the MIB3 infotainment system available on higher trims. This next-generation system boasted an 8-inch touchscreen, multi-device Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L, and Car-Net connected services with Alexa integration.

Despite the impressive suite of tech, the Atlas infotainment system had drawbacks like slow boot-up times and cumbersome operation, especially for simple tasks like changing radio stations. Voice recognition required an additional paid subscription for natural speech capabilities, further complicating user experience.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Sienna utilized Toyota's older infotainment interface. While all essential features were present, including SiriusXM, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, the interface felt dated and clunky. Wired connections were a necessity for smartphone integration, and there were usability quirks that detracted from the experience. The 9-inch touchscreen, though modest on paper, fit well in the cabin and didn’t look undersized. Our press car’s 12-speaker JBL audio system offered good sound quality, ensuring an enjoyable auditory experience despite the dated interface.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas had a robust list of safety features including automatic post-collision braking, Front Assist with forward-collision warning and pedestrian detection, Side Assist for blind-spot monitoring, and Rear Traffic Alert. The SE with Technology trim added adaptive cruise control and front and rear parking sensors. SEL trims were equipped with IQ Drive features encompassing lane-keeping assistance, lane-centering, driver emergency assist, and adaptive front lighting.

The Atlas had a mixed performance in crash tests, earning four-star ratings in some categories from NHTSA and falling short of the IIHS Top Safety Pick designation. Moreover, quirks in the parking sensors and lane-keeping systems could detract from the driving experience under certain conditions.

Meanwhile, the 2023 Toyota Sienna came standard with advanced driver assistance systems such as automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning with steering assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. These features underscored Toyota’s commitment to safety in a family-friendly vehicle. The Sienna earned a five-star rating from NHTSA, indicating superior crash safety performance, and the 2022 model's Top Safety Pick+ designation from IIHS suggested similar exemplary results for the 2023 Sienna.