2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport vs. Toyota Highlander Exterior Design

Both the 2025 VW Atlas Cross Sport and 2025 Toyota Highlander feature a bold exterior marked by the dramatic grille design. The bright LED exterior lighting emanating from the front and rear enhances visibility for everyone on the road. Both SUVs offer distinctive wheel styles in 18- to 20-inch sizes, with the Atlas Cross Sport exclusively offering 21-inch wheels as well. As you approach the rear, you’ll appreciate the available hands-free power liftgate on either SUV, which makes loading and unloading gear effortless. Enter your chosen vehicle thanks to the keyless access and smart key systems available with each SUV.

Shared exterior features include:

• Heated power-folding side mirrors with position memory
• 18- to 20-in. wheels
• Roof rails
• Hands-free power liftgate
• LED headlights, daytime running lights, and taillights
• Rain-sensing windshield wipers

Available 2025 VW Atlas Cross Sport exterior features include:

• 21-in. wheels
• Heated washer nozzles
• Power tilting and sliding panoramic sunroof
• Front and rear exterior illuminated light bar and VW emblem

Available 2025 Toyota Highlander exterior features include:

• Side mirrors with puddle lights with integrated Highlander 25th Edition logo
• Panoramic glass roof with sunshade and front power tilt/slide moonroof
• LED fog lights

2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport vs. Toyota Highlander Interior Design & Technology

The interiors of the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport and 2025 Toyota Highlander embrace comfort and style. Heated and ventilated front seats are standard in the Atlas Cross Sport, while the same feature comes available on higher-level trims in the Highlander. Keep your hands comfortable with the standard heated steering wheel in the Atlas Cross Sport; the Highlander comes standard with a leather-trimmed steering wheel for a secure grip. Second-row passengers in either SUV will appreciate the available heated outboard seating and window sunshades.

The dashboards in each SUV are equipped with top-notch tech systems. A 12-inch floating infotainment display is standard in the VW Atlas Cross Sport. Meanwhile, the Highlander comes with an 8-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia system that can be replaced with a 12.3-inch system on higher-level trims. In a similar vein, the Atlas Cross Sport is standard with a 10.25-inch fully configurable VW Digital Cockpit Pro and the Highlander offers an available 12.3-inch color digital gauge cluster on select trims. Enjoy your favorite music and podcasts with the available Harman Kardon® speakers in the Atlas Cross Sport or the available JBL® speakers in the Highlander.

Shared interior and technology features include:

• Heated and ventilated front seats with lumbar support and memory settings
• Ten-way power-adjustable driver’s seat
• Eight-way power-adjustable front passenger’s seat
• Heated second-row outboard seats
• Heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Interior ambient lighting
• Keyless access
• Auto-dimming interior rearview mirror
• Second-row window sunshades
• Wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™
• Wireless charging

Available 2025 VW Atlas Cross Sport interior and technology features include:

• Front seats with massage
• Stainless steel pedals
• Climatronic® dual-zone automatic climate control
• 12-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system
• 12-in. center touchscreen display with navigation
• 10.25-in. fully configurable VW Digital Cockpit Pro

Available 2025 Toyota Highlander interior and technology features include:

• Digital rearview mirror with HomeLink® universal garage door opener
• Three-zone automatic climate control with separate second-row control panel, individual temperature settings for driver, front passenger and rear-seat passengers, and second- and third-row vents
• 11-speaker JBL premium audio system
• 12.3-in. Toyota Audio Multimedia system
• 12.3-in. color digital gauge cluster

2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport vs. Toyota Highlander Engine Specs & Fuel Economy

When it comes to power, you’ll find dynamic capabilities whether you opt for the 2025 VW Atlas Cross Sport or 2025 Toyota Highlander. The Atlas Cross Sport offers one turbocharged engine, while the Toyota Highlander can be equipped with either a turbocharged engine or a hybrid. Of the two SUVs, the Atlas Cross Sport offers the most horsepower — 269 horsepower. Looking to tow? You’ll find that both gas engines offered with each SUV can pull up to 5,000 pounds, while the hybrid Highlander can tow up to 3,500 pounds. Each gas engine has capable fuel economy ratings — up to 26 highway MPG with the Atlas Cross Sport or up to 29 highway MPG with the Highlander.

Check the table for full engine specs.

2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport vs. Toyota Highlander Size & Cargo Space

You’ll find comparable cargo space inside the 2025 VW Atlas Cross Sport and 2025 Toyota Highlander. With the second-row upright, the Atlas Cross Sport offers up to 40.3 cubic feet of cargo space, while the third-row lowered in the Highlander gives you access to up to 48.4 cubic feet. Fully lower the rear rows in either SUV for up to 77.6 cubic feet in the Atlas Cross Sport or 84.3 cubic feet in the Highlander.

The VW Atlas Cross Sport is a roomy two-row SUV with seating for up to five passengers; the Highlander is a mid-size SUV with eight-passenger seating across three rows.

Interior dimensions are shown in the accompanying table.

2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport vs. Toyota Highlander Safety Options & Features

Protect yourself and your crew with the available driver assistance and safety features offered with the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport and 2025 Toyota Highlander. Each boasts similar features like rearview camera systems, automatic high beams, and overhead view cameras. Plus, each comes equipped with an advanced suite of driver assistance features — IQ.DRIVE® on the Atlas Cross Sport and Toyota Safety Sense™ on the Highlander.

Available 2025 VW Atlas Cross Sport driver assistance and safety features include:

• Area view (overhead view camera)
• Light assist (high beam control for headlights)
• Exit warning system
• Dynamic road sign display
• Front and rear park distance control
• Head-up display
• Parking steering assistant (park assist)
• Rearview camera system
• IQ.DRIVE suite
  • Travel assist (semi-automated driving assistance)
  • Front assist (forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian monitoring)
  • Rear traffic alert
  • Adaptive cruise control stop and go
  • Lane assist (lane-keeping system)
  • Emergency assist (semi-automated vehicle assistance in a medical emergency)

Available 2025 Toyota Highlander driver assistance and safety features include:

• Panoramic view monitor
• Backup camera with dynamic gridlines
• Front and rear parking assist with automatic braking
• Blind spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert
• Star Safety System™
  • Electronically controlled braking
  • Enhanced vehicle stability control
  • Traction control
  • Anti-lock brake system
  • Electronic brake-force distribution
  • Brake assist
  • Smart Stop Technology®
• Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ (TSS 2.5+)
  • Pre-collision system with pedestrian detection
  • Lane departure alert with steering assist
  • Automatic high beams
  • Lane tracing assist
  • Road sign assist
  • Full-speed range dynamic radar cruise control