Compare the2022 Toyota SequoiaVS 2021 Volkswagen Atlas

The Toyota Sequoia has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Atlas doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The Sequoia’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the Atlas and is not available with S.

The Sequoia’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Atlas doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Sequoia and the Atlas have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available four-wheel drive.

The Toyota Sequoia weighs 1118 to 1737 pounds more than the Volkswagen Atlas. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

Toyota’s powertrain warranty covers the Sequoia 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Volkswagen covers the Atlas. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the Atlas ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

The Sequoia’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Atlas’ (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

There are almost 2 times as many Toyota dealers as there are Volkswagen dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Sequoia’s warranty.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Sequoia has a standard 710-amp battery. The Atlas’ 680-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Sequoia’s reliability 55 points higher than the Atlas.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Sequoia third among large suvs in their 2020 Initial Quality Study. The Atlas isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 65 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volkswagen is ranked 28th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota second in reliability. Volkswagen is ranked 24th.

The Sequoia’s 5.7 DOHC V8 produces 146 more horsepower (381 vs. 235) and 143 lbs.-ft. more torque (401 vs. 258) than the Atlas’ standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Sequoia’s 5.7 DOHC V8 produces 105 more horsepower (381 vs. 276) and 135 lbs.-ft. more torque (401 vs. 266) than the Atlas’ optional 3.6 DOHC V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the Toyota Sequoia is faster than the Volkswagen Atlas V6:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Toyota Sequoia uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Atlas with the 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder engine requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Sequoia has 7.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the Atlas (26.4 vs. 18.6 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Toyota Sequoia higher (5 out of 10) than the Volkswagen Atlas (3 to 5). This means the Sequoia produces up to 16.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Atlas every 15,000 miles.

For better stopping power the Sequoia’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Atlas:

The Sequoia stops much shorter than the Atlas:

For better traction, the Sequoia has larger tires than the Atlas (275/65R18 vs. 245/60R18). The Sequoia SR5’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Atlas (275/65R18 vs. 265/45R21).

The Sequoia has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the Atlas; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

The Sequoia has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Atlas’ suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The Sequoia has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Sequoia flat and controlled during cornering. The Atlas’ suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The Sequoia offers an optional automatic rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Atlas doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Sequoia’s wheelbase is 4.7 inches longer than on the Atlas (122 inches vs. 117.3 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Sequoia is .7 inches wider in the front and 1.5 inches wider in the rear than on the Atlas.

The Sequoia TRD Sport 4x4 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Atlas SEL 4Motion (27.3 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 27.9 seconds @ .61 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Sequoia’s turning circle is 2.4 feet tighter than the Atlas’ (38.1 feet vs. 40.5 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Sequoia has a 2 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Atlas (10 vs. 8 inches), allowing the Sequoia to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

As tested by Car and Driver while under full throttle, the interior of the Sequoia 4x4 is quieter than the Atlas SEL Premium 4Motion (71 vs. 76 dB).

The Sequoia has standard seating for 8 passengers; the Atlas can only carry 7.

The Sequoia has .8 inches more front legroom, 4.3 inches more front hip room, 4.9 inches more front shoulder room, 3.3 inches more rear legroom, 1.9 inches more rear hip room, 4.8 inches more rear shoulder room, 1.6 inches more third row legroom, 5.3 inches more third row hip room and 10.8 inches more third row shoulder room than the Atlas.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Sequoia’s middle and third row seats recline. The Atlas’ third row seats don’t recline.

The Sequoia’s cargo area provides more volume than the Atlas.

A control in the cargo area automatically lowers or raises the Sequoia’s optional third row seats, to make changing between cargo and passengers easier. The Atlas doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The Sequoia’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the liftgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The Atlas’ rear cargo window doesn’t open.

The Sequoia’s minimum standard towing capacity is much higher than the Atlas’ (7100 vs. 2000 pounds).

The Sequoia has a higher maximum payload capacity than the Atlas (1350 vs. 1213 lbs.).

The engine in the Sequoia is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Atlas. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

The Sequoia Platinum’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Atlas doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Sequoia’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Atlas does not have an oil pressure gauge.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Sequoia has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the Atlas only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The Sequoia has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Atlas doesn’t offer headlight washers.

The Sequoia’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Atlas has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Sequoia has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the Atlas SE/SEL/SEL Premium.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Sequoia is less expensive to operate than the Atlas because it costs $264 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Sequoia than the Atlas, including $309 less for a water pump, $594 less for a muffler, $49 less for front brake pads, $218 less for fuel injection, $102 less for front struts, $53 less for a timing belt/chain and $957 less for a power steering pump.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Toyota Sequoia, based on reliability, safety and performance.