Toyota Land Cruiser vs Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

The 2026 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport presented a bold and rugged exterior, reminiscent of American design sensibilities despite its German origins. Its high-sided body panels, large wheels, and oversized fenders gave it a robust appearance, while the front fascia, with its wide dark grille and sleek headlights, added a touch of elegance. The light bar with the illuminated VW logo was a standout feature, enhancing its modern look. However, the rear design, with its busy LED lighting and thick chrome bar, seemed less refined. The interior was a highlight, offering smart design and high-quality materials. The seats, with their diamond-contrast stitching and carbon twill fabric, provided an upscale feel, and the Dark Beige and Black upholstery added a touch of luxury. Despite the limited color options, the interior was the most expensive-looking in its class.

The 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser offered two distinct versions, the 1958 and a higher trim level, each with unique styling cues. The 1958 featured round headlights and cloth seats, while the higher trim boasted rectangular lamps and artificial leather upholstery. The test vehicle, equipped with the Premium Package, showcased a rich Java brown leather interior with generous padding, emphasizing comfort and functionality. The cabin, though not as upscale as the Lexus GX, exuded quality with its construction and materials. The Land Cruiser's design prioritized practicality, with all-season floor mats and a focus on off-roading capabilities. Despite a few minor flaws, such as a thin metallic echo when closing doors, the Land Cruiser maintained a sense of rugged elegance.

The 2026 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four engine, delivering 269 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive standard on lower trims and all-wheel drive available on higher trims. The fuel economy was competitive, with EPA ratings of 20 mpg city and 27 mpg highway for FWD models. However, the engine struggled at higher speeds, particularly when accelerating onto highways, and the steering lacked responsiveness. The ride was rough, and while the transmission shifted smoothly, the overall driving experience was underwhelming for a vehicle of its size.

The 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser featured the i-Force Max hybrid powertrain, combining a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor to produce 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. This setup, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time four-wheel drive, offered impressive performance, especially in off-road conditions. The Land Cruiser excelled in rugged terrains, thanks to features like Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Select modes. Despite its weight, the powertrain provided adequate acceleration, though it wasn't particularly quick. The ride was truck-like, absorbing bumps and imperfections with ease, but the brake pedal was touchy, making smooth stops challenging. The Land Cruiser's handling was predictable, though it exhibited body roll and nose dive in corners.

The 2026 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered generous interior space, with ample headroom and legroom for passengers. The back seat was particularly spacious and supportive, making it a comfortable choice for families. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though the lack of customization options for the display was a drawback. The cargo space was plentiful, with 40.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 77.6 cubic feet with the seats folded down. However, the digital climate controls caused delays, and the touch-sensitive bar for audio and temperature adjustments was not illuminated, reducing usability.

The 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser provided a comfortable cabin with plenty of room for five passengers. The front seats were power-adjustable and heated, while the rear seats offered ventilation. The cargo area was spacious, with 46.2 cubic feet available, expanding to 82.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. However, the high liftover height and lack of a flat loading surface made it challenging to load bulky items. Storage options were limited, with small cupholders and a compact center console cool box. Despite these limitations, the Land Cruiser's interior was functional and well-suited for off-road adventures.

The 2026 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport came equipped with a 12-inch touchscreen and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, the lack of built-in navigation on lower trims was frustrating, as the interface displayed navigation icons that were non-functional. The adaptive front headlights, illuminated VW emblems, and hands-free power tailgate were notable upgrades. The proximity key, USB-C ports, and wireless charging pad added convenience, but the reliance on digital climate controls was a drawback.

The 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser featured a 7-inch digital driver display and an 8-inch touchscreen on the 1958 model, with the higher trim offering 12.3-inch displays. The infotainment system included wireless phone charging, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Premium Package added a 14-speaker JBL audio system, a digital rearview mirror, and a head-up display. The Intelligent Assistant voice recognition system worked well, though it occasionally misinterpreted commands. The system was easy to use, with customizable data panels in the digital driver display, but the Day mode graphics were low-contrast and hard to see.

The 2026 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport received a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, with four-star ratings for frontal crashes and rollover resistance. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety named it a 2026 Top Safety Pick. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, blind spot monitors, and adaptive cruise control. The Travel Assist highway-driving aid and Emergency Assist added extra layers of safety, while the Intelligent Crash Response System provided post-collision protection.

The 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, offering high-beam assist, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Additional features included blind-spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alert, and a safe-exit assist system. The Premium Package added lane-change assist and Traffic Jam Assist. The Land Cruiser received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with a three-star rollover resistance rating. The IIHS gave it mostly Good ratings, though the updated moderate overlap frontal impact test resulted in a Marginal score for rear-seat passenger protection.