Compare the2023 Volkswagen AtlasVS 2023 Toyota 4Runner

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The Atlas has a standard Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The 4Runner doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Atlas offers optional Maneuver Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The 4Runner doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

For better protection of the passenger compartment, the Atlas uses safety cell construction with a three-dimensional high-strength frame that surrounds the passenger compartment. It provides extra impact protection and a sturdy mounting location for door hardware and side impact beams. The 4Runner uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the Atlas and the 4Runner have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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, available all wheel drive, lane departure warning systems and around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Volkswagen Atlas is safer than the Toyota 4Runner:

	Atlas	4Runner
	Driver
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	30%	47%
Neck Stress	412 lbs.	438 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	67/229 lbs.	488/468 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	3 Stars
HIC	277	367
Chest Compression	.7 inches	.7 inches
Neck Injury Risk	39%	57%
Neck Stress	129 lbs.	271 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	297/97 lbs.	453/353 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

A significantly tougher test than their original offset frontal crash test, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH small overlap frontal offset crash tests. In this test, where only 25% of the total width of the vehicle is struck, results indicate that the Volkswagen Atlas is safer than the 4Runner:

	Atlas	4Runner
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
Head Neck Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Peak Head Forces	0 G’s	0 G’s
Steering Column Movement Rearward	0 cm	12 cm
Chest Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Hip & Thigh Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Femur Force R/L	3.1/0 kN	3.9/2.4 kN
Hip & Thigh Injury Risk R/L	1%/0%	1%/0%
Lower Leg Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Tibia index R/L	.46/.5	.95/.85
Tibia forces R/L	2.1/.7 kN	5/2.9 kN

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Volkswagen Atlas is safer than the Toyota 4Runner:

	Atlas	4Runner
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.5 inches	1.1 inches
Abdominal Force	48 lbs.	179 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
Max Damage Depth	14 inches	20 inches
HIC	279	507
Hip Force	800 lbs.	895 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Atlas, with its four-star roll-over rating, is 9.5% to 11% less likely to roll over than the 4Runner, which received a three-star rating.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, with its optional front crash prevention system, and its headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Atlas its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2019, a rating granted to only 125 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The 4Runner was not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2016.

Warranty

The Atlas comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck. The 4Runner’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The Atlas’ corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the 4Runner’s (7 vs. 5 years).

Reliability

The Volkswagen Atlas’ engines use a cast iron block for durability, while the 4Runner’s engine uses an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

Engine

The Atlas’ optional 3.6 DOHC V6 produces 6 more horsepower (276 vs. 270) than the 4Runner’s 4.0 DOHC V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the Volkswagen Atlas V6 is faster than the Toyota 4Runner:

	Atlas	4Runner
Zero to 60 MPH	7.3 sec	7.8 sec
Quarter Mile	15.6 sec	15.9 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	90.8 MPH	87.3 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Atlas gets better mileage than the 4Runner:

			MPG
Atlas
	FWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/25 hwy
		3.6 DOHC V6	18 city/24 hwy
	AWD	3.6 DOHC V6	18 city/23 hwy
		2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/24 hwy
4Runner
	RWD	4.0 DOHC V6	16 city/19 hwy
	AWD	4.0 DOHC V6	16 city/19 hwy

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Atlas’ engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The 4Runner doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

Transmission

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the Volkswagen Atlas, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a five-speed automatic is available for the 4Runner.

Brakes and Stopping

The Atlas stops much shorter than the 4Runner:

	Atlas	4Runner
70 to 0 MPH	174 feet	201 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	121 feet	138 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

The Atlas’ standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the 4Runner’s standard 70 series tires. The Atlas SEL Premium R-Line’s tires have a lower 45 series profile than the 4Runner Limited/TRD Sport’s 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Atlas has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the 4Runner. The Atlas SEL Premium R-Line’s 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels on the 4Runner Limited/TRD Sport.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Volkswagen Atlas has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Toyota 4Runner has a solid rear axle, with a non-independent rear suspension.

The Atlas’ drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The 4Runner doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Atlas’ wheelbase is 7.5 inches longer than on the 4Runner (117.3 inches vs. 109.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Atlas is 3.4 inches wider in the front and 3.9 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the 4Runner.

The Atlas SEL R-Line Black 4Motion handles at .84 G’s, while the 4Runner TRD Off-Road pulls only .71 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Atlas SEL 4Motion executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.4 seconds quicker than the 4Runner TRD Off-Road (27.1 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 29.5 seconds @ .55 average G’s).

Chassis

Unibody construction lowers the Atlas’ center of gravity significantly without reducing ground clearance. This contributes to better on the road handling and better off-road performance and stability. In addition, unibody construction makes the chassis stiffer, improving handling and reducing squeaks and rattles. The 4Runner uses body-on-frame design instead.

The design of the Volkswagen Atlas amounts to more than styling. The Atlas has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .34 Cd. That is lower than the 4Runner (.36). A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the Atlas get better fuel mileage.

As tested by Car and Driver while at idle, the interior of the Atlas SEL R-Line Black 4Motion is quieter than the 4Runner TRD Off-Road (41 vs. 43 dB).

Passenger Space

The Atlas has 25.7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the 4Runner (153.7 vs. 128).

The Atlas has 2 inches more front headroom, 1.7 inches more front hip room, 3.7 inches more front shoulder room, 1.8 inches more rear headroom, 4.7 inches more rear legroom, 2.3 inches more rear hip room, 3 inches more rear shoulder room, 4 inches more third row headroom, 4.4 inches more third row legroom and 1.8 inches more third row hip room than the 4Runner.

Cargo Capacity

The Atlas’ cargo area provides more volume than the 4Runner.

	Atlas	4Runner
Behind Third Seat	20.6 cubic feet	9 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	55.5 cubic feet	46.3 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	96.8 cubic feet	89.7 cubic feet

The Atlas’ cargo area is larger than the 4Runner’s in almost every dimension:

	Atlas	4Runner
Length to seat (3rd/2nd/1st)	23.8”/53”/85”	n.a./42”/66.3”
Max Width	61.6”	57.7”
Min Width	45”	42.4”
Height	37.5”	39.5”

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Atlas’ power liftgate can be opened or closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The 4Runner doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening liftgate.

Servicing Ease

The Atlas has a maintenance free battery for long life without checking the battery’s water level. The 4Runner doesn’t have a maintenance free battery, so the water level in the battery’s cells must be checked often to prevent damage.

A maintenance reminder system is standard on the Atlas to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals for oil changes and vehicle inspection based on odometer mileage. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Toyota doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the 4Runner.

Ergonomics

The Atlas offers a remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The 4Runner doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The engine computer on the Atlas automatically engages the starter until the car starts with one twist of the key and disables the starter while the engine is running. The 4Runner’s starter can be accidentally engaged while the engine is running, making a grinding noise and possibly damaging the starter and ring gear.

The Atlas’ power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The 4Runner’s parking brake has to be released manually.

The power windows standard on both the Atlas and the 4Runner have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Atlas is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The 4Runner prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Atlas’ power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The 4Runner’s power mirror and cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Atlas has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The 4Runner doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

The Atlas’ rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The 4Runner’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Atlas SEL to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The 4Runner doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Atlas’ available headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the 4Runner’s headlights are rated “Poor.”

The Atlas has a standard automatic headlight on/off feature. When the ignition is on, the headlights automatically turn on at dusk and off after dawn. The 4Runner has an automatic headlight on/off feature standard only on the Limited/TRD Pro.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Atlas offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The 4Runner doesn’t offer cornering lights. The Atlas SEL also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Atlas to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The 4Runner doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The Atlas’ power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The 4Runner’s power mirror controls are on the dash where they are possibly hidden by the steering wheel and are awkward to manipulate.

When the Atlas SEL is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The 4Runner’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Atlas has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats are only available on the 4Runner Premium/Limited/TRD Pro. The Atlas SEL Premium also has standard heated second row seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated second row seats aren’t available in the 4Runner.

On extremely cold winter days, the Atlas SEL’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The 4Runner doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Atlas 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 4Runner Limited/TRD Pro.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Volkswagen Atlas offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The 4Runner doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Atlas SEL Premium’s Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The 4Runner doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Atlas owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the Atlas with a number “5” insurance rate while the 4Runner is rated higher at a number “10” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Atlas is less expensive to operate than the 4Runner because typical repairs cost much less on the Atlas than the 4Runner, including $147 less for a fuel pump and $271 less for a timing belt/chain.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Volkswagen Atlas, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Toyota 4Runner isn't recommended.

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