2021 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2021 Toyota Highlander

What is your next SUV going to be? Perhaps, you have homed-in on the small to medium SUV category, looking at vehicles with Front-Wheel Drive. The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas and the 2021 Toyota Highlander base trim levels both fall into this category, and they can be difficult to choose between. Below, we help you out by comparing them in driving range, dimensions, and starting MSRP, three important factors for choosing an SUV. You can find new VW models and various used models here at Diritos Brothers Volkswagen in Walnut Creek, CA.

2021 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2021 Toyota Highlander – driving range

Each of these vehicles wins out in one of two categories: city driving range and highway driving range. The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas can go further in the city, making it a good commuter car. Both vehicles have a city fuel economy rating of 21 mpg, but the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas has a larger fuel tank capacity, which is what allows it to drive further. On the highway, the 2021 Toyota Highlander is given a longer driving range, which makes it more desirable for anyone who commutes by the highway on a regular basis.

2021 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2021 Toyota Highlander – dimensions

Now let’s talk about dimensions. The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas is the biggest of the two vehicles, but it offers one fewer passenger seat, which allows its passenger space to feel more spread out. It can hold seven passengers in its base trim level, compared with eight in the 2021 Toyota Highlander. The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas has a passenger volume of 153.7 cubic feet, compared with 141.3 cubic feet from its competitor. For cargo, the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas offers 55.5 cubic feet of space behind the second row of seating, and the 2021 Toyota Highlander offers 48.4 cubic feet behind the same row.

2021 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2021 Toyota Highlander – starting MSRP

This comparison page focuses on the base trim levels of each vehicle. For the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas, that is the S trim level, with a starting MSRP of $31,545. For the 2021 Toyota Highlander, that is the L trim level, starting out at $35,085. Other trim levels will vary in price and features.