Toyota Highlander vs Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

Volkswagen designed the 2022 Atlas Cross Sport by eliminating the third row from the standard seven-passenger Atlas model, lowering the roofline by 2.3 inches for a sportier look, and shortening the SUV’s length by 5.2 inches. Despite these changes, the wheelbase remained the same, ensuring a spacious interior for five people. However, the Cross Sport’s reduced length and angled rear window decreased cargo space to 40.3 cubic feet behind the second-row seat and a maximum of 77.8 cubic feet. The SEL Premium R-Line trim, with its 21-inch machined-finish wheels, gave the Atlas Cross Sport a bold, upscale appearance, although other wheel options were less appealing. The interior featured various color combinations, but the presence of hard, glossy plastic and unlined storage areas detracted from the overall quality impression.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander featured a modern, somewhat aggressive front-end design with flared fender arches and a slightly kicked-up third-row window, giving it a more compact appearance. Inside, the Highlander offered ample cabin space and clever storage solutions. The XSE trim stood out with its bold red leather interior, unique exterior styling, ambient interior lighting, and sport-tuned suspension. The Highlander’s trim levels ranged from the base L to the top-tier Platinum, each adding more features and luxury. The Limited and Platinum trims offered high-end amenities like heated and ventilated front seats, genuine leather upholstery, and a hands-free power liftgate.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered two engine options: a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.6-liter V6 producing 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. The V6 engine, which did not require premium fuel, provided a more satisfying driving experience and a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive (FWD) as standard and Volkswagen’s 4Motion all-wheel drive (AWD) system available. The V6 engine felt more energetic in the two-row Cross Sport, but the suspension tuning was inconsistent, resulting in a harsh ride on city streets and a too-soft feel on winding roads. The Atlas Cross Sport excelled on the highway, where the ride quality was more agreeable.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander came equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Highlander offered standard FWD and available AWD, with drive modes for different terrains. The V6 engine provided good pickup once the vehicle was moving, with plenty of power for highway overtakes and a surprisingly throaty exhaust note. The Highlander’s handling was commendable, with the XSE trim’s sport-tuned suspension reducing body roll while maintaining a comfortable ride over bumps. The Highlander could tow up to 5,000 pounds, making it competitive in its class.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport shared its wheelbase and track width with the larger seven-passenger model, resulting in an exceptionally roomy interior for five adults. The test vehicle featured 10-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, heated rear outboard seats, a heated steering wheel, and a dual-zone automatic climate control system. A panoramic sunroof added to the spacious feel, and rear side-window sunshades provided additional comfort. The cargo area offered plenty of space, with deep wells for carrying items and some storage underneath the load floor. However, the shorter length and lower roofline reduced cargo capacity compared to the seven-passenger model.

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 trims above the base L came with a power liftgate. The base L trim featured an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and deep cargo pockets in the front doors. The XSE trim had second-row captain’s chairs, providing a center aisle to the third row and additional space between occupants. While the second-row seats were spacious for adults, the third row was only suitable for short trips.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport SE came standard with Volkswagen Digital Cockpit, featuring an 8-inch display and a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and two USB-C ports. Higher trims had a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit, an 8-inch touchscreen with proximity sensing, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM with 360L, wireless smartphone charging, and additional USB ports. The upgraded infotainment system offered access to three Car-Net connected service subscription plans, including remote start, emergency assistance, and a WiFi hotspot. However, the user experience could be frustrating, and the standard voice recognition technology was not very effective. The SEL Premium R-Line test vehicle featured a 12-speaker Fender premium sound system, which was highly praised.

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 test model featured a wireless charging pad and a combination of USB and USB-C ports. A larger 12.3-inch touchscreen was available, though it was not as user-friendly as the base touchscreen. Other available features included a digital instrument panel screen and an 11-speaker JBL premium stereo system.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and an automatic post-collision braking system as standard. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, and a low-speed automatic braking system. The SEL trim featured automatic high-beam LED headlights, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and IQ Drive, which included Travel Assist and Emergency Assist. The SEL Premium R-Line test vehicle also had a semi-autonomous Parking Steering Assistant system and an Area View 360-degree surround-view camera system. The Atlas Cross Sport received favorable crash-test ratings but did not earn the highest accolades from the IIHS or NHTSA.

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. All trims above the base L included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Optional or upper-level trim features included 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 overly so, and the lane centering could be abrasive on back roads.