2023 Toyota 4Runner vs 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner 40th Anniversary Special Edition (40 ASE) based on the SR5 Premium trim level, added $4,505 to the price. Of this upcharge, $1,875 covered the standard four-wheel-drive system, with the remaining $2,630 going towards retro body stripes, a heritage grille design, bronze 17-inch wheels, and various bronze badges. The 40 ASE variant stood out with its limited exterior color options—black, white, or red—and featured a black artificial leather interior. Toyota's 4Runner lineup, characteristic of its 1970s-inspired aesthetics, offered a nostalgic yet lively appearance with its bold stripes and bronze accents. Despite its fifth-generation design aging alongside the market, the 4Runner maintained the rugged, truck-based look adored by many enthusiasts. Its solid build and practical interior offered simplicity, making it easy to use even with gloves on. Meanwhile, the 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport received styling updates parallel to its three-row sibling, introducing new lighting elements at both the front and rear. Volkswagen logos in the grille and on the tailgate now glowed white and red, respectively, mirroring the recent design seen in the all-electric ID.4. More elaborate lighting bars connected the day-time running lights with standard LED headlights upfront. Designed and built in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the Cross Sport tailored its appearance to the American market. It featured a more sophisticated, coupe-like silhouette compared to the traditional Atlas, with a sleeker roofline and 5.2 inches shorter body. The new wheel designs varied by trim, with the base SE getting 18-inch alloys while upper trims offered 20 or 21-inch wheels. The interior also shared enhancements like a redesigned center console with a standing touchscreen and various trim-specific features aimed at a luxurious yet functional experience.

Each 2023 Toyota 4Runner was equipped with a 4.0-liter V6 engine delivering 270 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 278 pound-feet of torque at 4,400 rpm, mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive was standard unless upgraded to a four-wheel-drive (4WD) system. The 4Runner had a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds and an EPA fuel economy rating of 17 mpg in combined driving, with a real-world average of 16.9 mpg observed in the 40 ASE. Different 4WD systems included a part-time system commonly and a full-time system available on the Limited trim. Off-road capability was enhanced with features like locking differentials, Crawl Control, and Multi-Terrain Select. Depending on the trim, the 4Runner offered specialized suspensions: the TRD Sport and Limited for on-road comfort, and the TRD Pro for high-speed off-road performance. Driving the 4Runner felt robust and dependable, excelling in off-road conditions despite its truck-like handling. However, on-road experiences revealed slow steering, heavy controls, and a less refined ride, making it apparent that it's more suited to rugged terrains than grocery runs or daily errands. Conversely, the 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport switched to a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine for all its trims, offering 269 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This engine replaced the previous optional 3.6-liter VR6, marking an end to its era. The new engine, despite having slightly lower horsepower, delivered better torque and earlier peak performance. Volkswagen predicted quicker acceleration compared to previous models. The Atlas Cross Sport's towing capacity remained at 5,000 pounds for all but the base SE trim, which capped at 2,000 pounds. This standard was typical for midsize crossovers. Though the new engine boasted adequate power, it wasn't particularly quiet or smooth, and the vehicle's driving experience was noted as being somewhat uninspiring despite "Sport" being in its name.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner offered great practical features, such as a power-down rear window on the tailgate, creating an open-air experience. The cabin provided comfortable seating, although climbing in and out could be challenging for shorter individuals. The vehicle came with various storage spaces, though not all were lined, leading to potential noise from items in transit. The second-row seats provided ample legroom and headroom, along with conveniences like USB ports and air conditioning vents. Without the third-row option, the 4Runner had 46.3 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to a generous 89.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded flat. Choosing the third-row option significantly reduced overall cargo space to a mere 9 cubic feet, indicating the practical advantage of sticking with the five-passenger setup. The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, on the other hand, boasted additional standard equipment for 2024, including heated mirrors, dual-zone climate control, and newly ventilated front seats across all trims. The rear seats experienced reduced headroom due to the vehicle’s sloping roofline, but legroom remained competitive. Cargo capacity stood at 40.3 cubic feet with seats up, and 77.6 cubic feet with seats folded, slightly less than the 4Runner but still ample for the segment. The Atlas Cross Sport featured revised interiors with improved storage solutions, such as a newly designed center console and ample door pocket space. Despite the stylish cabin, some sacrifices were made in terms of practicality, particularly concerning rear-seat headroom.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner came equipped with a straightforward, yet efficient technology suite. It featured traditional analog gauges and an 8-inch touchscreen for infotainment, complete with physical knobs and buttons, making it user-friendly. Standard technology included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. Various connected service plans and a Wi-Fi hotspot capability further enhanced its utility. Available upgrades broadened the technology package with navigation, connected services, and a JBL premium sound system, albeit with bass-heavy default settings requiring manual adjustments. Despite slightly dated graphics, the infotainment system's multitasking home screen and effective voice recognition, marred only by minor hiccups, provided a seamless experience. The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport was endowed with an advanced tech suite, starting with a standard 12-inch touchscreen, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and wireless phone charging. Unlike conventional buttons, the Cross Sport employed haptic touchpads which, despite the sophisticated appearance, detracted from user-friendliness due to the absence of tactile feedback. Standard USB-C ports numbered four, with the possibility to increase to six, alongside a new USB-C dash cam port on higher trims. The SEL model benefited from a standard head-up display, and the upgraded Harman Kardon 12-speaker system on the SEL Premium R-Line delivered superior sound quality compared to the standard six-speaker setup.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner came with essential safety features comparable to modern standards. Toyota Safety Sense included forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and a rear-seat reminder system. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert also became standard. In testing, the adaptive cruise control displayed smooth operations, though the lane-departure warning proved to be noisy. Despite these safety measures, the 4Runner's aging design reflected in its crash-test ratings. It received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with three-star ratings in some aspects such as front passenger protection and rollover resistance. The IIHS awarded it a Marginal rating for driver protection in the small overlap frontal test. The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, much like its three-row counterpart, achieved a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with top marks in side-impact testing. However, it scored four stars in frontal and rollover tests. The structurally similar 2023 model's IIHS scores were mostly Good, but the moderate overlap front test result awaited update. The 2024 Cross Sport featured the IQ.Drive package standard across all trims, incorporating forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and Travel Assist. Higher trim models added features like predictive adaptive cruise control, park assist, and a surround-view camera system, solidifying its position as a well-rounded, safe vehicle.