Mid-sized SUVs are popular with families, single drivers, and those who want to purchase a single vehicle that will meet all their needs for city driving, a road trip, or heading off-road for some exploration and excitement. As you compare your options, the two likely to make the final cut for test drives are the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas and the 2025 Toyota Highlander. To ensure these are the last two standing, take a final look at how they compare.
 2025 Atlas |
 2025 Highlander |
MSRP |
|
| $38,200 | $39,520 |
Warranty |
|
|
New Vehicle Limited Warranty: 4 yr./50,000 mi. |
Vehicle: 3 yr./36,000 mi. |
City / Highway MPG |
|
| 20 / 27 | 22 / 29 |
Transmission |
|
| 8-Speed Automatic | 8-Speed Automatic |
Horsepower |
|
| 269 | 265 |
Towing Capacity |
|
| 5,000 lbs. | 5,000 lbs. |
The Atlas is all about giving you the most efficient and affordable power. It uses a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine to deliver 269 horsepower and 273-foot pounds of torque. It also provides a 5,000-pound towing capacity to allow you to take all your toys with you on your next adventure. The Highlander is powered by a 2.4 L 4-cylinder that falls short of the horsepower provided by the Atlas and will only tow up to 3,500 pounds of camper, boat, or other trailered cargo. It is also worth noting that the warranty on the Atlas is a full year longer than that of the Highlander and includes 12,000 additional miles covered under warranty. Finally, the base model price of the Atlas is more than $1,000 less than that of the Highlander.
With a lower price than the Highlander, you might expect the Atlas to be a little less luxurious inside. However, that is actually the opposite of what you will find when you slide into this Volkswagen for a test drive. The Atlas is larger and more spacious than the Highlander, with the greatest disparity coming in overall cargo space, where the Atlas provides more than 12 cubic feet more than the Highlander. Other high-end interior features offered in the Atlas include premium leather, a panoramic sunroof, multi-color ambient lighting, and three-zone climate control. If you want to get some of these features or similar options in the Highlander, expect to pay top dollar for them in the higher and more costly trim packages.
While the Highlander offers some top-tier safety features as part of the standard package, the VW Atlas includes the entire IQ.DRIVE suite of features. This standard package includes standard driver alerts, driver assist features, and emergency assist to provide the most comprehensive protection for your vehicle and the precious cargo it carries. Nothing can compare to the peace of mind you will have when driving a five-star safety-rated vehicle with all these tech features functioning to ensure your safety.
After undergoing a redesign in 2024, the 2025 Atlas received smaller additions and upgrades this year. The overall reception of the 2024 model let Volkswagen know they had hit the mark, as drivers from Lino Lakes to Coon Rapids were excited about the new look and function of this desirable and enjoyable SUV. Please stop in Volkswagen of Inver Grove to see the wide selection of Atlas models on the property and take a drive in a few to understand the time and skill that was invested in making this the most relaxing, safe, and enjoyable mid-sized SUV on the road.
