Compare the2025 Toyota 4RunnerVS 2025 Volkswagen Atlas

For enhanced safety, the front and second-row seat shoulder belts of the Toyota 4Runner have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Volkswagen Atlas doesn’t offer pretensioners for its second-row seat belts.

The Toyota 4Runner has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Atlas doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The 4Runner’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Atlas doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the 4Runner and the Atlas have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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, available four-wheel drive and around view monitors.

Toyota’s powertrain warranty covers the 4Runner 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Volkswagen covers the Atlas. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the Atlas ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

The 4Runner’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Atlas’ (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

There are almost 2 times as many Toyota dealers as there are Volkswagen dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the 4Runner’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the 4Runner’s reliability 54 points higher than the Atlas.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than Volkswagen vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota above average in initial quality. With 49 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volkswagen is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota second in reliability, above the industry average. With 120 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volkswagen is ranked 27th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota third in overall reliability. Volkswagen is ranked 18th.

The 4Runner’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 9 more horsepower (278 vs. 269) and 44 lbs.-ft. more torque (317 vs. 273) than the Atlas’ 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The 4Runner Trailhunter’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 54 more horsepower (323 vs. 269) and 192 lbs.-ft. more torque (465 vs. 273) than the Atlas’ 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The 4Runner’s optional 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 57 more horsepower (326 vs. 269) and 192 lbs.-ft. more torque (465 vs. 273) than the Atlas’ 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Toyota 4Runner turbo 4 cyl. is faster than the Volkswagen Atlas:

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

Regenerative brakes improve the 4Runner i-FORCE MAX’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Atlas doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Toyota 4Runner higher (6 out of 10) than the Volkswagen Atlas (4). This means the 4Runner produces up to 12.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Atlas every 15,000 miles.

For better stopping power the 4Runner’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Atlas:

The 4Runner stops much shorter than the Atlas:

For better traction, the 4Runner has larger tires than the Atlas (265/70R17 vs. 245/60R18).

The Toyota 4Runner’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Volkswagen Atlas only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

The 4Runner has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the Atlas; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

The 4Runner Trailhunter/TRD Pro has an active front sway bar, which helps keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnects at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The Atlas doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The 4Runner offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Atlas’ suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The 4Runner’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (49.4% to 50.6%) than the Atlas’ (55% to 45%). This gives the 4Runner more stable handling and braking.

For better maneuverability, the 4Runner’s turning circle is 1.1 feet tighter than the Atlas’ (39.4 feet vs. 40.5 feet).

For greater off-road capability the 4Runner SR5 has a 1.8 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Atlas (8.1 vs. 6.3 inches), allowing the 4Runner to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The 4Runner Trailhunter/TRD Pro’s minimum ground clearance is 3.8 inches higher than on the Atlas (10.1 vs. 6.3 inches).

The 4Runner is 5.8 inches shorter than the Atlas, making the 4Runner easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the 4Runner’s middle and third row seats recline. The Atlas’ third row seats don’t recline.

The 4Runner’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the liftgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The Atlas’ rear cargo window doesn’t open.

The 4Runner’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Atlas’ (6000 vs. 5000 pounds).

The 4Runner has a much higher standard payload capacity than the Atlas (1390 vs. 1102 lbs.).

The 4Runner has a much higher maximum payload capacity than the Atlas (1550 vs. 1102 lbs.).

The engine in the 4Runner is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Atlas. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

The 4Runner Premium/Limited/Trailhunter/TRD Pro/Platinum’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Atlas doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The 4Runner’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Atlas does not have an oil pressure gauge.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the 4Runner has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the Atlas only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

The Toyota 4Runner outsold the Volkswagen Atlas by 30% during 2024.