Toyota Highlander vs Volkswagen Atlas

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas carried over with minor modifications from the previous year, simplifying its lineup to six trim levels: SE, SE with Technology, SEL, SEL R-Line, SEL R-Line Black, and SEL Premium R-Line. Most models came with more standard features than before. Pricing ranged from $34,355 to $51,505, plus a $1,195 destination charge. The SEL Premium R-Line trim, with extra-cost Aurora Red paint and second-row captain’s chairs, brought the price to $53,790. The SEL Premium featured standard R-Line design elements, including 21-inch wheels that enhanced its upscale look. However, the interior, while displaying simplicity with a premium flair, had many low-cost materials, including hard, shiny plastics, which detracted from the overall quality.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander had a modern, somewhat aggressive front-end design. Its flared fender arches and the third-row window design made it appear smaller than it was. Inside, it offered ample cabin space and clever storage solutions. The XSE trim, with its bold red optional leather package, unique exterior styling, ambient interior lighting, and sport-tuned suspension, stood out. The Highlander’s trim levels included L, LE, XLE, XSE, Limited, and Platinum, each adding more features and luxury. The base L trim came with 18-inch alloy wheels, pushbutton start, and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. Higher trims added more comfort and tech features, with the Platinum trim offering a panoramic sunroof, a 360-degree parking camera, and a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas offered a standard turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine for the SE, SE with Technology, and SEL trims, producing 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. This engine required premium fuel to achieve these outputs and had an EPA fuel economy rating of 22-23 mpg in combined driving. The maximum towing capacity for the turbo-four was 2,000 pounds. The 3.6-liter V6 engine, standard for the SEL R-Line, SEL R-Line Black, and SEL Premium R-Line, and optional for SE with Technology and SEL trims, produced 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. It could tow up to 5,000 pounds but had a fuel economy rating of 19-20 mpg in combined driving. The Atlas offered various driving modes and an Active Control system for the 4Motion AWD, but the V6 engine lacked power, efficiency, and refinement. The SEL Premium R-Line’s 21-inch wheels provided impressive grip but resulted in a busy ride and road noise. The Atlas’ handling was sound, but an adaptive-damping suspension option was needed for better control.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander came equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque. Power was routed through an eight-speed automatic transmission to standard front-wheel drive or available all-wheel drive. The transmission had a tap-shift function and certain trims featured steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. The Highlander offered Sport, Normal, and Eco drive modes, as well as Mud/Sand, Rock, and Normal modes for the AWD system. The V6 engine provided better pickup once the Highlander was moving and had plenty of power for overtakes. The Highlander’s handling was very good, with the XSE trim’s sport-tuned suspension reducing body roll while remaining soft over bumps. The Highlander could tow up to 5,000 pounds and had a max payload of 1,685 pounds in the FWD L and LE trims.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas, with the discontinuation of the base S trim, no longer offered cloth seats. Standard features included V-Tex leatherette seating, heated front seats, and a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat. Higher trims added tri-zone automatic climate control, ambient cabin lighting, an eight-way power-adjustable front passenger’s seat, and a panoramic sunroof. The SEL Premium R-Line trim included genuine leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated second-row seats. The Atlas’ roomy interior and comfortable seats were its best features, accommodating seven people comfortably. The cargo space was exceptional, with 20.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 55.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 96.8 cubic feet with the second row folded.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander provided up to 84.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the second- and third-row seats folded. With the second-row seats in use, there was 48.4 cubic feet of cargo space, and 16 cubic feet with all seats deployed. The seats were easy to lower and lift, and every trim above the base L came with a power liftgate. The cockpit was well-designed, with deep cargo pockets, extra ledges, and a large center console compartment. The XSE trim featured second-row captain’s chairs, providing a center aisle to the third row. The second-row seats were spacious for adults, but the third row was only tolerable for short trips.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas included the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrument cluster as standard, with an 8-inch display for lower trims and a 10.25-inch display for higher trims. The SE trim had a 6.5-inch touchscreen with the last-generation infotainment system, while other trims featured the next-generation MIB3 system with an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and SiriusXM 360L satellite radio. The MyVW smartphone app provided access to Car-Net services, and the SEL Premium R-Line trim included a 12-speaker Fender premium sound system. However, the user experience was not ideal, with slow loading times and a cumbersome process for tuning the radio and using voice commands.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander came standard with a WiFi hotspot, five USB ports, and an 8-inch touchscreen supporting Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. The infotainment system had a straightforward layout with hard buttons for easy use. The XSE trim featured a wireless charging pad and a combination of USB and USB-C ports. A larger 12.3-inch touchscreen was available, along with a digital instrument panel screen and an 11-speaker JBL premium stereo system.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas offered an impressive list of safety features, including automatic post-collision braking, Front Assist, Side Assist, and Rear Traffic Alert. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, and the full collection of IQ Drive safety features, including Lane Assist, Travel Assist, and Emergency Assist. The SEL Premium R-Line trim included a surround-view camera system and Park Assist technology. However, the Lane Assist technology had issues with old construction markings and exit ramps, and the crash-test ratings were decent but not class-leading.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander came standard with the Toyota Safety Sense suite, including forward collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, traffic-sign recognition, and automatic high beams. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors, rain-sensing windshield wipers, a surround-view parking monitor, a head-up display, and adaptive headlights. The lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist systems were very active, sometimes too much so, but the lane centering was generally good.