2023 Toyota Sienna vs 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

The look and feel of the 2023 Toyota Sienna reflected Toyota's effort to move away from the traditional minivan aesthetic. The front-end was redesigned to resemble a Japanese bullet train, an effort to give it a more modern and stylish appeal. The Sienna was available in multiple trims, including LE, XLE, XSE, Limited, Platinum, and a special 25th Anniversary Edition, offering a broad spectrum of options from basic to luxury. The interior boasted high-quality materials, such as brown leather upholstery and wood-grain accents, particularly in the Platinum trim we tested.

In comparison, the 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport showcased its latest design changes, shared with the three-row Atlas, focusing on a bolder lighting arrangement and the integration of lit logos. The Cross Sport, built and designed in the U.S., had a distinctive sporty silhouette influenced by luxury German crossover coupes, especially with its sloping roofline and shorter, lower stance compared to the standard Atlas. The interior revisions mirrored those in the three-row Atlas, with updates like a standalone central touchscreen, a new electronic shifter that contributed to enhanced utility, and high-end options such as quilted leather upholstery in the SEL Premium R-Line.

The Toyota Sienna, introduced as a fully hybrid model in its fourth generation, combined a 2.5-liter engine with electric motors to deliver 245 net horsepower. Despite the adequate power output, the Sienna's performance felt underwhelming due to the continuously variable transmission, which struggled to provide an engaging driving experience. Nevertheless, its chassis and steering presented a surprisingly nimble ride for such a large vehicle, making it enjoyable to drive in urban settings.

On the other hand, the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport ditched the previous V6 to standardize a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder across all trims, putting out 269 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. This update promised improved performance, particularly in acceleration, despite the smaller engine size. However, driving dynamics for the Cross Sport were somewhat disappointing, lacking excitement and with less-than-ideal ride quality due to the large 21-inch wheels on our test model.

Inside the Sienna, the layout emphasized functionality and space utilization, inherent to its minivan design. It offered substantial cargo capacity, with 33.5 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 101 cubic feet with seats down. Despite some seating configuration limitations, the Sienna excelled in providing ample space for passengers and cargo alike.

In contrast, the Atlas Cross Sport focused on a blend of style and utility. Though the stylish exterior design slightly reduced rear-seat headroom, cargo space was not significantly compromised, offering 40.3 cubic feet behind the second row and up to 77.6 cubic feet overall. The vehicle also featured newly standard comforts, such as heated and ventilated seats across different trims, enhancing its appeal in terms of comfort and convenience.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna utilized an older infotainment system, which, while reliable, lacked the modernity and seamless integration of newer systems. It featured standard connectivity options and a 9-inch touchscreen but felt outdated compared to contemporary interfaces.

Conversely, the 2024 VW Atlas Cross Sport boasted a more advanced technological setup, with a 12-inch touchscreen, wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and additional standard tech features enhancing the user experience significantly compared to the Sienna.

Toyota's 2023 Sienna came equipped with an extensive array of standard safety features, showcasing Toyota's commitment to safety. It had earned top safety ratings, reflecting its design's effectiveness in protecting passengers.

The 2024 Atlas Cross Sport also performed well in safety assessments and featured the IQ.Drive package as standard across all trims, significantly enhancing its safety profile with advanced driving aids.