Skip to content
Refpropos.

Refpropos.

  • Home
  • Automobile
  • HVAC
  • Supercar
  • Volvo
  • Entrepreneur
  • Toggle search form
2025 Volkswagen Atlas vs. 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Comparison

2025 Volkswagen Atlas vs. 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Comparison

Posted on December 4, 2024 By rehan.rafique No Comments on 2025 Volkswagen Atlas vs. 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Comparison

Baseball, hamburgers, and midsize SUVs — these are a few of America’s favorite things. But deciding on a favorite team or whether you should add bacon is much easier than choosing the right family hauler.  

The Volkswagen Atlas joined the market as a 2018 model and received a makeover for 2024, which retained its contemporary look. Now in its seventh year, the Atlas offers a refined German drive and is one of the biggest and most family-friendly 3-row SUVs around. 

The Toyota Grand Highlander is a 3-row SUV that launched last year. As the name suggests, it’s bigger than a regular Highlander (it’s longer by 6.5 inches), with that extra space added where people want it: the third row and cargo capacity.  

These two 3-row SUVs look quite similar on paper, so let’s see how they compare.  

2025 Volkswagen Atlas 

2024 Volkswagen Atlas SEL in red with rock formations in the background.2024 Volkswagen Atlas SEL in red with rock formations in the background.

2024 model shown

Available in front- (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD) with a 269-horsepower, turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, the Atlas delivers almost minivan-like capability to busy families. The third row fits even the gangliest teenagers (or adults), and it’s one of the easiest third rows to access in the class. Wireless phone charging gets added to the extensive list of high-end features and safety equipment that come standard for 2025. The top-of-the-line SEL Premium R-Line enjoys a new 4-way lumbar support with a massage function for the front driver’s seat. Pricing starts at $39,625. 

Volkswagen Atlas Highlights 

Lower price: The Atlas gives buyers a hefty amount of versatility and great standard features on par with the newer Grand Highlander, but for several thousand dollars less. Sometimes there’s no arguing with the bottom line.   

Stylish looks: A new front end with wraparound LED daytime running lights gives the Atlas a bold, modern face. Its chiseled sides and overall shape cut an imposing profile, one that has more swagger than the Grand Highlander. 

Longer basic warranty: Volkswagen’s bumper-to-bumper warranty is longer than Toyota’s, covering potential problems with almost anything that might go wrong for four years or 50,000 miles. The Grand Highlander has coverage that lasts for three years or 36,000 miles.   

2025 Toyota Grand Highlander 

2024 Toyota Grand Highlander in white with mountains in the background.2024 Toyota Grand Highlander in white with mountains in the background.

2024 model shown

Toyota’s Grand Highlander provides three powertrain options in a new body that is longer, taller, and wider than the standard Highlander. Third-row legroom and cargo space are among the best in the class, though fiddly seat folding can hamper access. Well-equipped with comfort, convenience, and safety features, the Grand Highlander also becomes more affordable for 2025 courtesy of a new LE trim. Pricing starts at $42,310. 

Toyota Grand Highlander Highlights 

Hybrid powertrains: In addition to the base powertrain, a turbo 2.4-liter with 265 hp, the Grand Highlander offers a choice of not just one, but two different hybrid powertrains. The entry-level hybrid offers 243 hp and returns an impressive 36 combined mpg with front-wheel drive. The second, the Hybrid Max, is an all-wheel-drive model with 362 hp and 27 combined mpg. The Atlas has only one engine, a 2.0-liter turbo, that returns 22 mpg combined. 

Physical controls: Toyota realizes the benefits of giving the driver buttons and knobs to control vital systems. The Grand Highlander has physical switchgear for audio volume, climate control, seat heaters, and the drive mode selector. The Atlas requires looking away from the road to navigate through the infotainment touchscreen to access all those features.   

Better resale value: Toyota has won KBB’s Best Resale Value: Brand award six times in the last seven years. When it comes time to move on to your next ride, you’ll almost certainly get more for your used Grand Highlander than your used Atlas.  

Similarities 

Exterior size, third-row legroom, and cargo space are nearly the same. 

Conclusion 

The Volkswagen Atlas, though well into its current lifecycle, remains a comfortable and practical choice. It’s nicer to look at, more interesting to drive, and offers a bit of extra assurance with its longer-than-average basic warranty. Third-row comfort and access are excellent, and it all costs less than the Grand Highlander. But Volkswagen’s decision to nix almost every physical control knob and button from the center console might be a deal-breaker for some. How you interact with your vehicle while driving deserves consideration.   

Toyota’s efficient hybrid offerings bring fuel savings to the table, while the higher-horsepower Hybrid Max adds remarkably perky performance. If the maximum number of occupants matters, the Grand Highlander can fit eight, while the Atlas seats only seven.  

The Atlas and Grand Highlander have an almost equal amount of space and versatility, so your decision may come down to looks, feel, and price — all strong categories for the VW.  While the Toyota costs more upfront, its stellar brand reputation and higher resale values make it an attractive proposition that gets even sweeter when you consider its extra seating capacity, easier-to-use switchgear, and two fuel-efficient hybrid models.  

New 2025 Volkswagen Atlas Prices

New 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Prices

The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors.
The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for New 2025 Volkswagen Atlas vehicles and New 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander vehicles in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership.
These prices are updated weekly. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) quoted includes the destination fee, but does not include tax, license, document fees, and options.

Specifications 

  2025 Volkswagen Atlas   2025 Toyota Grand Highlander
Popular Powertrains      
Engine  2.0-liter turbo 4-cylinder   2.4-liter turbo 4-cylinder 
Horsepower  269 hp @ 5,500-6,500 rpm   265 hp @ 6,000 rpm 
Torque  273 lb-ft @ 1,600-4,750 rpm   310 lb-ft @ 1,700-3,600 rpm 
Transmission  8-speed automatic   8-speed automatic 
Fuel Economy  20 city/26 highway/22 combined mpg   21 city/28 highway/24 combined mpg 
Also Available  AWD   AWD, hybrid drivetrains 
Specs       
Basic Warranty  4 years/50,000 miles   3 years/36,000 miles 
Powertrain Warranty  4 years/50,000 miles   5 years/60,000 miles 
NHTSA Overall Safety  5 stars   Not rated  
Max Seating Capacity  7   8 
Wheelbase  117.3 inches   116.1 inches 
Overall Length  200.7 inches   201.4 inches 
Width  78.3 inches   78.3 inches 
Height  70.4 inches   72.1 inches 
Turning Diameter  40.0 feet   38.1 feet 
Headroom, Front  41.3 inches   41.5 inches 
Headroom, 2nd Row  40.4 inches   40.2 inches 
Headroom, 3rd Row  38.3 inches   37.2 inches 
Legroom, Front  41.7 inches   41.7 inches 
Legroom, 2nd Row  37.6 inches   39.5 inches 
Legroom, 3rd Row  33.7 inches   33.5 inches 
Shoulder Room, Front  61.5 inches   60.2 inches 
Shoulder Room, 2nd Row  60.8 inches   58.8 inches 
Shoulder Room, 3rd Row  54.9 inches   57.5 inches 
Cargo Volume  20.6/55.5/96.6 cubic feet   20.6/57.9/97.5 cubic feet 
Automobile

Post navigation

Previous Post: New York City’s $83 Million AI Bus Cameras Issued Nearly 3,800 Unwarranted Citations
Next Post: Managing Your Fluctuating Income with a Buffer Fund

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Deepal dealer deluge coming as Chinese brand plays catch up to BYD, Geely
  • How Comparative Negligence Affects Your Connecticut Personal Injury Claim
  • The Essential Guide to Physiotherapy: Understanding Its Benefits for Pain Relief – Top Entrepreneurs Podcast
  • BMW Global Sales Are Down In The First Half Of 2025 But M Is Up
  • This Former NFL Player Built a Brand Around Nasal Breathing

Categories

  • Automobile
  • Entrepreneur
  • HVAC
  • Supercar
  • Volvo

Copyright © 2025 Refpropos..

Powered by PressBook Blog WordPress theme