2021 Toyota Highlander vs 2021 Volkswagen Atlas: Reliability and Value like Only Toyota can Deliver

March 15 2021,

There are so many options available in the three-row mid-size SUV segment in Canada, choosing the right model for you and your family can be daunting. The key is to determine what your needs are, and then find the right model based on those needs. Take the 2021 Toyota Highlander and the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas, for example.

Both offer a lot of features, plenty of space, and a range of powerful engines. Both can tow up to 5,000 pounds, and both are generally considered the most luxurious options in the segment. They also both have a very similar starting price with the 2021 Toyota Highlander starting at $40,450 and the Atlas starting at $40,095.

That said, there are significant differences between both mid-size SUVs, specifically in terms of fuel economy and overall performance. The Highlander is also considered one of the most reliable vehicles in the world while the Atlas has one of the worst reliability records in the segment. But more on that in a second…

Better performance in every area in the 2021 Toyota Highlander compared to the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas

The 2021 Toyota Highlander has two engine options starting with a 3.5-litre V6 that delivers 290 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque. This engine comes with standard all-wheel drive and can tow up to 5,000 pounds, as stated previously. It also has one of the best fuel-efficiency ratings in the segment, averaging 11.9 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 8.6 litres per 100 kilometres on the highway.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas has two engine options as well, but neither can match the Highlander’s base engine’s performance. The first engine in the Atlas lineup is a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder that delivers 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. You would think this engine would be more efficient than the Highlander’s given its lower power rating and the fact that it is a four-cylinder powertrain, but it’s not the case. The turbocharged Atlas averages 12.8 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 10.4 litres per 100 kilometres on the highway. The difference is significant and considerable.

The Atlas’ V6 engine has more power with 276 horsepower, but the fuel economy rating explodes to 14.3 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 10.7 litres per 100 kilometres on the highway. The difference in fuel economy is considerable and will cost hundreds of dollars per year in your pocket.

The Highlander is also offered in a hybrid version that averages just 6.7 litres per 100 kilometres. No mid-size SUV can match that, and certainly not the Atlas.

The new 2021 Toyota Highlander is also considerably more reliable and benefits from a better resale value than the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas. Just ask any mechanic. Who has the better reliability, a Toyota or a Volkswagen?...