2021 Toyota Sienna vs 2021 Volkswagen Atlas

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas received a styling refresh that included new front and rear bumpers, standard LED headlights and taillights, and a new grille shared with the two-row Atlas Cross Sport model. These changes added 2.4 inches to the length of the Atlas, giving it a more extroverted look compared to the conservatively-styled 2020 model. The R-Line trim package added sportier-looking front and rear bumpers, as well as side skirts. Despite these cosmetic changes, the Atlas still rode on the same MQB platform as before, which was used by most current VW models, including the Jetta and Golf. The interior of the Atlas took a minimalist approach, with sensibly laid-out controls and a standard seating configuration of seven seats across three rows. However, the material quality on the mid-level SE with Technology test car was below average, with cheap and tinny plastics and simulated wood and metal trim that were not convincing.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid aimed to change the perception of minivans with a more SUV-like appearance. It featured a wide grille, LED headlamp arrays, and sculpted sliding side doors with a body line that swooped up from the rocker panels to bulge over the rear wheels. The Sienna's interior emphasized width with horizontal lines and a higher seating position than a sedan, providing a comfortable ride. The dashboard was simple and uncluttered, with most controls clustered on the upper part of the center stack. The center console housed the gear selector lever, cup holders, and a big storage compartment beneath the center armrest. The second and third rows were comfortable for adults, with the second row sliding fore and aft to configure the space for maximum utility and comfort.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas offered two engine options: a standard 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four producing 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque on premium fuel, and a 3.6-liter VR6 rated at 276 hp and 266 lb-ft. Both engines were coupled to an eight-speed automatic transmission, with standard front-wheel drive (FWD) or optional 4Motion all-wheel drive (AWD). The 4Motion system defaulted to FWD under low load to save fuel but could send power to the rear wheels when needed. The driving experience with the base 2.0-liter engine and AWD was underwhelming, with adequate acceleration but rough shifts and poor ride quality. The Atlas had a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds with the VR6 engine and 2,000 pounds with the four-cylinder engine. Fuel economy ratings were 22 mpg combined for the four-cylinder FWD model and 19 mpg combined for the VR6 FWD model.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motors, producing a combined 243 horsepower. FWD was standard, with AWD available on all trim levels. The AWD system used a separate electric motor to drive the rear wheels, eliminating mechanical complications. The Sienna used an electronically controlled continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), which delivered power smoothly but blunted throttle response. The Sienna Hybrid achieved impressive fuel economy ratings of 36 mpg combined for FWD models and 35 mpg combined for AWD models. Handling was improved over the outgoing Sienna, with minimal body roll and a comfortable ride.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas offered average passenger and cargo space for its segment, with 96.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the front seats and 20.6 cubic feet with all seats up. It provided more third-row legroom than most competitors but had the worst second-row legroom among its competitive set. The second-row bench seat was uncomfortable with thin, flat cushions. The Atlas featured a tall driving position, but forward visibility was less than optimal. It had up to five USB ports, an optional wireless charging pad, and up to 17 cupholders. Ultrasonic parking sensors were standard, with low-speed automatic braking and active park assist available on higher trim levels.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid excelled in convenience functions, with a standard third-row 60/40-split bench that stored away easily and a second row that slid up to 25 inches for easy third-row access. The cabin had 16 cupholders and ample storage cubby space. The Sienna could carry a full four-by-eight sheet of plywood inside with the tailgate closed and had cargo measurements of 33.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 75.2 cubic feet behind the second row, and 101.0 cubic feet behind the first row. The 288-volt Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) battery pack was tucked under the front seats, not impacting cargo space. Both side sliding doors and the rear tailgate were power-operated and responded to kick motions for opening and closing.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas came with Bluetooth and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone compatibility. The base S trim level had a 6.5-inch infotainment touchscreen, while other models had an 8-inch screen. Volkswagen’s Digital Cockpit was available on higher trim levels, replacing analog gauges with a 10.3-inch reconfigurable digital display. The Atlas was set to receive VW’s new MIBIII infotainment system later in the model year, which added multi-phone pairing capability, improved voice recognition, and a redesigned navigation system. A built-in 4G LTE WiFi hotspot was new for 2021, supporting up to four devices.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid featured a nine-inch touchscreen standard on all grades, with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM, and multiple USB ports. It came with a year’s trial of Safety Connect and Remote Connect, a ten-year trial of Service Connect, and a three-month trial of AT&T WiFi Connect. Higher trim levels offered a Premium Audio + JBL package with 12 speakers, Dynamic Navigation, and surround sound. A rear-seat entertainment system was available, featuring an 11.6-inch 1080p display, remote, and wireless headphones. The driver enjoyed a color multi-information display, with a 10-inch color Head-Up Display available on Platinum trim models.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas received top “good” ratings in all IIHS crash tests, but with a “marginal” rating for child-seat anchors and mixed headlight ratings. The 2020 model received a five-star overall rating from NHTSA. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring, with adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist available on higher trim levels. The Atlas was set to receive more sophisticated driver aids later in the model year, including Travel Assist and Emergency Assist.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included dynamic radar cruise control, lane-tracing assist, pre-collision system, lane-departure alert, automatic high beams, and road sign assist. It had 10 airbags and LATCH connectors, with a rear-seat reminder system standard. A tire pressure monitoring system and inflator kit were also standard. The 2020 Sienna received “Good” ratings from IIHS and a Five-Star Overall Rating from NHTSA.