Compare the2026 Volkswagen AtlasVS 2026 Toyota Sequoia

Full-time four-wheel drive is optional on the Atlas. Full-time four-wheel drive gives added traction for safety in all conditions, not just off-road, like the only system available on the Sequoia.

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 Sequoia uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the Atlas and the Sequoia have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

The Volkswagen Atlas has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and an “Acceptable” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Sequoia has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2025.

The Atlas comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck. The Sequoia’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 Sequoia’s (7 vs. 5 years).

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

On the EPA test cycle the Atlas gets better mileage than the Sequoia:

Both the Atlas and Sequoia have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. The Atlas has a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Volkswagen Atlas uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Sequoia requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Atlas stops much shorter than the Sequoia:

The Atlas SE/Peak Edition’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Sequoia’s standard 70 series tires. The Atlas SEL Premium R-Line’s tires have a lower 45 series profile than the Sequoia Capstone’s 50 series tires.

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

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 Sequoia doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

The Atlas 4Motion handles at .84 G’s, while the Sequoia Capstone pulls only .76 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Atlas’ turning circle is .2 feet tighter than the Sequoia’s (40 feet vs. 40.2 feet). The Atlas’ turning circle is 4.5 feet tighter than the Sequoia TRD Pro’s (40 feet vs. 44.5 feet).

The Volkswagen Atlas may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1300 to 1550 pounds less than the Toyota Sequoia.

The Atlas is 7.4 inches shorter than the Sequoia, making the Atlas easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

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 Sequoia doesn’t use unibody construction, but a body-on-frame design.

The Atlas has 2.1 inches more front headroom, .5 inches more front legroom, 2 inches more rear headroom and 2.7 inches more third row headroom than the Sequoia.

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

The Atlas has a standard third row seat which folds flat into the floor. This completely clears a very large cargo area quickly. The Sequoia doesn’t offer seats that fold into the floor.

The Atlas’ standard KESSY Keyless Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, unlock the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Smart Key System standard on the Sequoia doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear 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 Sequoia’s standard 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 Sequoia doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

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

The Atlas has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the Sequoia.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Volkswagen Atlas has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the Sequoia and isn’t available on the Sequoia SR5.

The Atlas SEL Premium R-Line’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 Sequoia doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The Volkswagen Atlas outsold the Toyota Sequoia by almost three to one during 2024.