Toyota RAV4 Hybrid vs Volkswagen Atlas

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid had undergone a significant redesign in 2019, transitioning from a softer crossover appearance to a sturdier, blocky design. The trapezoidal grille, inspired by Toyota's truck line, provided a robust front, framed with beveled and angled bodywork that extended to the headlights. This design language was bold and initially set the RAV4 apart, although it became common with competitors like the Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-50 adopting similar aesthetics.

Inside, the RAV4 Hybrid continued its angular theme with a multi-tiered dashboard featuring unique beveled cutouts. While these served to add some visual interest, the materials used were fairly standard for its class, with a mix of hard plastics and lightly padded surfaces on high-touch areas. However, the base model and the new Woodland trim notably lacked a leather-wrapped steering wheel, opting instead for a urethane one that felt rubbery and cheap. Most other trims corrected this with leather coverings. Nonetheless, build quality was solid with no noticeable creaks or squeaks, even on rough terrain.

Conversely, the 2024 Volkswagen Atlas received a more subtle refresh, retaining the original sheet metal from the 2013 Volkswagen CrossBlue concept but boasting new lighting elements, including illuminated VW logos and a front light bar connecting the new LED headlights. These updates gave the Atlas a fresh "face," emphasizing American boldness over European elegance. At the rear, the taillights merged with a full-width light bar, also featuring the illuminated logo.

All trim levels received new wheel designs, with the base SE getting 18-inch alloys, the majority getting 20-inch wheels, and the SEL Premium R-Line sporting 21-inch wheels with sportier styling. The new Peak Edition of the Atlas added an outdoorsy touch, including black 18-inch wheels with all-terrain tires and specific color options like Avocado Green and Pure Gray. Inside, the Atlas dashboard featured a floating infotainment touchscreen and a compact toggle shifter, creating more functional storage space but with a somewhat jarring mix of minimalist interior and truck-like exterior. The interior materials aimed for a more upscale feel, though some areas, like the center console stitching, appeared less premium.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor/generator, producing 219 horsepower. Mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT), it drove the front wheels, while a second electric motor powered the rear axle for AWD capability. This setup propelled the RAV4 Hybrid from 0 to 60 mph in 7.5 seconds. Its acceleration was respectable within its segment, quicker than the standard RAV4 by half a second and only slightly slower than the Kia Sportage hybrid. Braking was smooth, with regenerative braking for recharging the hybrid battery during deceleration and seamless transition to physical brakes when necessary. The suspension balanced ride comfort and handling, delivering a smooth experience over moderate bumps without being overly sporty.

For the 2024 Volkswagen Atlas, powertrain options were reduced to a single 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine, producing 269 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. This engine replaced the VR6 and previous turbo-four variants, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, available in both FWD and AWD. VW claimed this new engine allowed the 2024 Atlas to go from 0 to 60 mph in eight seconds for FWD models, while AWD models took 8.3 seconds, making it quicker than its predecessor. Despite the increased power, the Atlas prioritized comfort over performance, with a smooth but not particularly exhilarating driving experience. The ride quality remained consistent with the pre-refresh models, striking a balance between comfort and utility, especially considering the large 21-inch wheels on tested models. The Peak Edition included all-terrain tires and an Offroad mode but lacked the underbody protection needed for serious off-road activities. The towing capacity stood at 5,000 pounds for most models, except the base SE which was limited to 2,000 pounds, aligning with industry standards though slightly behind the Nissan Pathfinder.

Interior space was a strong suit for the 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. Front seats provided ample space for larger passengers, while the rear seats could comfortably accommodate average-sized adults. Rear headroom was marginally more than the Honda CR-V and Kia Sportage, though legroom was slightly less. Cargo space behind the rear seats measured 37.5 cubic feet, just shy of the non-hybrid RAV4's 37.6 cubic feet. The Honda CR-V and Kia Sportage offered marginally more space at 39.5 and 39.3 cubic feet respectively, but these differences were minor in practice. Interior storage was plentiful, with a wide shelf for the front passenger, a phone tray in front of the center console, large cupholders, and a sizable center armrest bin, though door pockets were about average in size.

In contrast, the 2024 Volkswagen Atlas emphasized practicality and comfort with significant updates. The base SE now came with heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The SE with Technology trim included a power liftgate, while the SEL trim standardized leather upholstery and heated second-row seats. The Atlas offered seating for seven, with a second-row bench that could 60/40 split-fold, recline up to 14 degrees, and slide fore and aft up to 7.7 inches, accommodating three child seats side by side. Second-row captain's chairs were available on higher trims, reducing seating to six. Third-row seating was standard and offered impressive headroom and legroom compared to rivals.

The Atlas balanced passenger and cargo space effectively. With all seats in place, it offered 20.6 cubic feet of cargo space. Folding down the third row increased this to 55.5 cubic feet, and with both the second and third rows folded, it expanded to 96.6 cubic feet, surpassing most segment rivals except for the larger Chevy Traverse.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid introduced an improved infotainment system, featuring more modern graphics and intuitive menu arrangements. The touchscreen was positioned on top of the dashboard to minimize driver distraction. Lower trims included an 8.0-inch display, while higher trims upgraded to a 10.5-inch screen. Standard features across all models included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though wireless charging was optional and not always available due to supply constraints. The system supported over-the-air software updates, and connectivity features included a Wi-Fi hotspot and remote monitoring capabilities. The range-topping trim featured a digital instrument panel and an 11-speaker JBL audio system, contrasting with the standard six-speaker setup on other trims.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas also saw significant tech upgrades, including a new 12-inch touchscreen and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster standard across all trims. Wireless phone charging and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were now included on all models. The number of USB-C ports remained the same at six, with up to eight available, and a dash cam port was included on higher trims. The SEL trim and above featured a head-up display. VW switched its premium audio system from Fender to Harman Kardon, offering a 12-speaker setup on top trims, improving from the standard six-speaker system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, featuring straightforward graphics and useful features like a map view in the instrument cluster. However, the reliance on haptic touchpads for controls like audio volume presented usability challenges due to their lack of tactile feedback.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid boasted strong safety credentials. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded it five stars overall and for side crash protection, with four stars for frontal and rollover crash tests. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave it the highest "Good" scores in most categories, though it received an "Acceptable" in new overlap frontal and side-impact tests, earning it a Top Safety Pick title. Standard safety features included Toyota's Safety Sense 2.5 suite, featuring forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, and a traffic sign reader. The XLE trim added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alerts, while the Limited trim included front and rear parking sensors with automatic braking.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas also performed well in safety evaluations. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall safety rating, with five stars in side crash tests and four stars in frontal and rollover tests. The structurally similar 2023 model received "Good" scores in most IIHS tests, except for the marginal rating in the updated overlap front test. VW increased the standard driver-assist features for 2024, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. Travel Assist combined features for semi-autonomous highway driving, and higher trims added predictive adaptive cruise control, park assist, and a surround-view camera system. Additional post-collision safety features included automatic braking, a crash response system, and emergency assist functionality.