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We drove a $42,000 Toyota Highlander and a $40,000 Volkswagen Atlas to see which one is the better family SUV - here's the verdicthttps://www.businessinsider.in/miscellaneous/we-drove-a-42000-toyota-highlander-and-a-40000-volkswagen-atlas-to-see-which-one-is-the-better-family-suv-heres-the-verdict/slidelist/65281779.cms2018-08-05T19:16:48+05:30

We drove a $42,000 Toyota Highlander and a $40,000 Volkswagen Atlas to see which one is the better family SUV - here's the verdict

Aug 5, 2018, 19:16 IST

First up is the Toyota Highlander.

Aesthetically, the Highlander is rather unexceptional. While I think it looks decently attractive, it's far from pretty. In 2016, Toyota updated the Highlander's large chrome front grille to mixed reviews.

The Highlander's side profile is traditional crossover utility — boxy with rounded edges. It straddles the line between tall wagon and traditional SUV looks.

The rear end of the Highlander features an integrated roof spoiler and a traditional lift-up tailgate.

It's also one of the few remaining SUVs to have a separate lift-up window that's great for loading small items.

However, the interior is where the Highlander really impresses.

The Highlander's interior is packed with USB charge ports and clever storage nooks like this shelf that runs the length of the front dash. There's also a massive storage box under the center armrest between the front seats.

In front of the driver is a 4.2-inch color information display flanked by a pair of traditional analog gauges. The Highlander comes standard with the Toyota Safety Sense package which includes pre-collision warning, pedestrian warning, Lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and radar cruise control.

Our test cars came with an eight-inch touchscreen running Toyota's Entune infotainment system. Base Highlanders get a smaller 6.1-inch touchscreen.

In spite of Toyota's work to improve the system's usability, Entune is not one of our favorites. It's perhaps the weakest part of the entire Highlander package. Entune's image quality is poor and its overall presentation feels like it's stuck in a previous decade.

The second row of our test cars came equipped with a pair of optional captains chairs. A bench seat is standard. The rear cabin as a whole proved to be spacious and comfortable. The captains chairs also allow for easy pass through to the third row.

There are 13.8 cubic feet of cargo room behind the third row. With the third row folded, cargo capacity goes up to 42.3 cubic feet. Fold down the second row and the Highlander's cargo space nearly doubles to 83.7 cubic feet.

Under the hood of our Highlander SE is a 295 horsepower, 3.5-liter, naturally aspirated V6. The Hybrid model adds Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive to the same V6, boosting horsepower to 306. The base Highlander is powered by a somewhat diminutive 185 horsepower, 2.7-liter, naturally aspirated four-cylinder.

What's it like to drive?

Next up is the Volkswagen Atlas.

The first thing you notice with the Atlas is that looks different from any Volkswagen you've ever seen. While VW has traditionally gone for svelte and sleek, the Atlas' blunt front fascia exudes old-school American truck. It's more Chevy Tahoe than VW Touareg.

At 16.5-foot-long, the Atlas is classified as a mid-size SUV, but its proportions verge near full-size territory. In fact, it's nearly half a foot longer than the Highlander.

The Atlas's interior is positively cavernous. From the driver's seat, it feels like your front seat passenger is sitting miles away.

The second row offers plenty of hip and legroom for three while...

... The third row will comfortably hold two adults.

There's also a full suite of available driver's assistance features such as adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, pedestrian monitoring, blind spot monitoring, overhead view camera, and parking assist.

Our Atlas is equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen running VW's latest MIB II infotainment system. Base models get a 6.5-inch screen. MIB II is quickly becoming one of our favorites.

The system was quick to respond, elegantly rendered, and its menus were intuitively organized. It's miles better than Toyota's Entune system.

However, our VW's interior was not without fault.

Open up the rear hatch...

...And you'll find 20.6 cubic feet of cargo room behind the third row. With the third row folded, cargo space goes up to 55.5 cubic feet. Fold down the second row and the Highlander's cargo room shoots up to a massive 96.8 cubic feet.

Under the hood, the Atlas is available with two engine options. Base models come with a 235 horsepower version of VW's EA888 2.0-liter, turbocharged, inline-four-cylinder engine. Higher spec versions like our two test cars came equipped with 3.6-liter, 276 horsepower, VR6 narrow-angle V6 engine.

So, What's it like to drive?

Our Verdict.

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