Toyota Sienna vs Volkswagen Atlas

The 2025 Toyota Sienna attempted to break away from the traditional minivan aesthetic with its trapezoidal grille and upswept body lines, yet it still retained the quintessential minivan look. Despite Toyota's efforts to add style with features like hidden sliding door tracks and narrow taillights reminiscent of the Camry sedan, the Sienna remained a practical choice for those needing seating for up to eight. The new flower-petal wheel designs in the Platinum package added a touch of flair, but the Sienna's boxy shape was hard to disguise. The Magnetic Grey paint on the Limited trim with the Platinum package was a fresh addition for 2025, but the interior updates, including a new woodgrain finish, received mixed reviews. While some found the interior improvements appealing, others, like a 17-year-old passenger, were less impressed.

In contrast, the 2026 Volkswagen Atlas exuded a sense of luxury, especially in the Execline trim. The Atlas maintained a sculpted silhouette that aged well since its 2018 debut, with full-LED lighting and power-adjustable heated side mirrors as standard features. The Peak Edition added rugged elements like all-terrain tires and blackout trim pieces, enhancing its visual appeal. The Pure Grey paint on our test vehicle resisted dirt well, and the Titan Black upholstery with silver underlay provided a sophisticated look. The Atlas's interior was adorned with quilted diamond-pattern leather seats and metallic accents, creating a warm and inviting environment. However, the MIB3 infotainment system, despite its sharp graphics, proved frustrating to use, with touch-sensitive controls that were invisible at night. The Atlas's tech was more about form than function, but its upscale design and competitive pricing made it a strong contender in the mid-size SUV segment.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna featured a hybrid powertrain with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and a continuously variable transmission (CVT), delivering a net horsepower of 245. While this might not seem impressive for a vehicle seating up to eight and towing up to 1,587 kilograms, the electric assist motor provided immediate torque, preventing the Sienna from feeling sluggish. The hybrid system prioritized fuel economy, with an official rating of 6.6 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving for the FWD model. However, our test unit averaged 8.9 L/100 km. The Sienna offered a smooth and quiet ride, though the CVT's droning was noticeable during hard acceleration. Handling was predictable but not particularly engaging, with the standard suspension providing a marshmallow-like ride quality.

The 2026 Volkswagen Atlas was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre inline four-cylinder engine, producing 269 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD in Canada, the Atlas offered a wide power band, with peak torque available from 1,600 to 4,500 rpm. While initial acceleration felt adequate, the Atlas settled into a competent rhythm once in motion. The Drive Mode Select system allowed for customization, with Sport mode adding throttle response at the expense of fuel efficiency. Our test drive recorded 10.7 litres per 100 kilometres, slightly better than the official estimate. The 4Motion AWD system performed well in rain and light snow, but the ride quality suffered due to the Execline model's 21-inch wheels, transmitting vibrations on imperfect pavement. Despite this, the Atlas's steering and brakes provided confidence in cornering and stopping.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna offered practical seating and cargo solutions, with power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated front seats in the Limited with Platinum package. However, the cushions felt hard after extended driving. The second-row captain's chairs with ottoman-style leg rests were popular with teenagers, and the third-row seat accommodated adults comfortably. The Sienna's cargo capacity was generous, with 949 litres behind the third row and 2,129 litres behind the second row. However, the maximum cargo capacity of 2,860 litres was less than rivals due to the inability to remove the second-row seats.

The 2026 Volkswagen Atlas excelled in accommodating passengers and cargo, with heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats in the Execline trim. The second-row captain's chairs folded flat and tipped forward for easy third-row access, even with a child seat installed. The third-row seats provided decent leg support, and the cargo capacity was competitive, with 583 litres behind the third row and 1,572 litres with it folded. The total cargo space of 2,735 litres was just behind the Toyota Grand Highlander, making the Atlas a strong choice for those needing ample space for people and belongings.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna's higher-spec models featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch touchscreen for the Toyota Audio Multimedia (TAM) system. The Limited trim included a four-zone automatic climate control system, a 10-inch head-up display, and a camera-based digital rearview mirror. The TAM system offered connected services with varying subscription periods, and the digital assistant responded well to commands. However, the JBL premium audio system produced excessive bass, and the HUD lacked blind-spot warnings.

The 2026 Volkswagen Atlas came standard with a 12-inch touchscreen running the MIB3 operating system, a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro instrument cluster, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Highline trim added a Harman Kardon 12-speaker audio system and a surround-view camera. While the interface looked sharp, it required numerous presses and taps to accomplish tasks, and the touch-sensitive controls were invisible at night. The voice control system was unreliable, making Apple CarPlay or Android Auto the preferred choice. The Harman Kardon system sounded excellent, but the tech prioritized form over function.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna featured Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) 2.0, which included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Sienna also had blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. However, the adaptive cruise control required vigilance in urban areas. The Sienna added a rear-seat reminder system for 2025, but its crash-test safety ratings were mixed, with a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA but only three stars for driver protection in a frontal impact.

The 2026 Volkswagen Atlas earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS for 2025. The IQ.Drive suite of driver assistance features was standard across all trims, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitors, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability. The systems performed well during testing, and the Execline trim added Park Assist, though it wasn't necessary due to the Atlas's maneuverability.