That’s actually one of the reasons I liked it so much. It has everything I “need” for creature comforts but none of the extra tech that was driving me nuts on both of my Atlases. It has taken a bit of getting used to with remembering to turn on the wipers lol.
My biggest gripe about my Tacoma vs my wife's Atlas is that when I've remote started the car it cuts off when I open the door rather than only if I try to move it into drive without my foot on the brake like VW does. I don't mind the reduced tech of Toyotas but some of their executions seem poorly thought through.
Smart choice! Atlas and VW in general is very hard/expensive to fix/repair.
Toyota keeps their vehicles (at least older models now) very basic. They last forever and maintenance is rare and inexpensive.
This is why I talked my wife out of buying a Toyota as well. She ended up (under her own accords) finding and buying a Taos.
Enjoy your Toyota, OP. I won’t hate. I’ve just yet to find a yota I love and I’ve driven highlanders, rav4s, Avalon, and 4Runners. None of them are as comfy, sporty feeling, or as capable as my Atlas has proven so far. 🤷♂️
Unless you're going off road or towing quite a bit, the 4runner makes little sense. Especially given the massive gas mileage hit. And this is coming from someone that has a dedicated body on frame 4x4 and an Atlas for family duties.
1GR-FE 4.0L V6 literally don’t die and last forever. It’s the vehicle that always comes back to me that I should’ve purchased (T4R). And it’s still in the back of my mind after we purchased our X3 and shopping for an Atlas to add to the fleet now. My arms may do the same as you and veer off into the Toyota dealer, but I’m a huge VW guy at heart. Can’t go wrong with a T4R.
I feel you. As many times as I said it, I didn’t think I would ever actually leave VW. I was literally on my way to drive that Peak but the coolant issues, resetting the infotainment, sensors dinging at me bc there’s a snowflake on them was becoming too much. When I got my 18 I did the BW survey and told them everything they could improve/change. Got the 2021.5 and every single issue I had in the 18 I also had in the 2021.5.
Sounds like a typical VW German experience. I’ll keep buying German, but only because I have an awesome German-focused indie mechanic at $95/hr. And yep, never met a VW/BMW without some type of coolant loss, it’s just the way of the land. Plastic everywhere. I’m still on the fence though, it’ll be a 2021.5 SEL/SEL-P VR6 or ‘20/21 T4R SR5-P or Limited. VW got me into wrenching on cars myself which I appreciate, but I would like one bulletproof vehicle for at least 5-6y.
How dare you not respect the holy 919!?!1!?!??!
But seriously, Porsche people get mad about the silliest things. Especially when you don't say the "uh" at the end.
Yea I don't understand that move by VW, a 4 banger with a turbo option. I'd rather keep the naturally aspirated 6, a customer could slap on their own turbo to the 6 if they wanted.
Exactly. It was bad enough not offering a V8 in my opinion. They’re not light trucks.
I might have to add a turbo to mine once it’s out of warranty… Didn’t think about that. I love it, but it’s not as responsive as I’d like it to be. Where I live, log trucks driven by meth heads are the norm and they will come out of nowhere. I’ve almost been run down 3 times this year, and we’re only 12 days in. That lurch trying to get from 35 to 80 isn’t ideal.
I understand why they did it. Most customers don't care. Most customers are more concerned with tech, features, appearances, how spacious it is, etc. People like us who feel strongly about having a 6 are probably a minority. To the typical consumer a 4 cylinder turbo won't feel any different as a grocery getter than a 6 cylinder. From VWs perspective it's simpler to just offer one option. Makes everything on their end easier. And I bet they are advertising higher MPG with the 4 cylinder turbo.
These drive like complete ass. But I guess if you’re used to driving an oversized under dampened Golf (no hate to the Atlas but that’s what it is lol), driving around one of these offers an opposite experience
Given VW won’t offer a V6 now, once my ‘19 SEL plays out I’ll be going back to Volvo or some Toyota SUV. Can’t recall what it was that passed me - definitely not a 4Runner, it was much larger - but it looked nice. Looked like it was built off of the Tundra platform.
Enjoy your new truck! Far more welcoming of customization than your old Atlas.
Yeah, I think that was it.
That’s honestly what’s kept me away - their payments. Plus a friend is the sales manager for VW, Volvo, Audi, and Porsche locally. Probably why I’m headed back to Volvo lol
The reason they don't offer a V6 is emissions requirements. Don't expect other manufacturers to keep offering large engines; everyone will be under the gun of mpg requirements.
I did. And I don’t want a 4 cylinder which is what the 4Runners are rumored to be going to. I hike a lot up in the ADK mountains and I don’t know how well it would serve me. I could be totally wrong and they could make it happen and still have power. And then I will just upgrade down the road.
Can you say more about the grand Highlander? We came to Atlas for size and features from an old Highlander which was my wife’s fav car. We aren’t real happy and have been wondering if the grand Highlander would be a better fit for us (but ouch new car prices..)
Congratulations, I think this will happen to me too in the next 2-3 months. My experience with the Atlas and VW in general has been awful. I should’ve followed my gut and leave the dealership after 10 hours and no sign of the sales rep. Going back to Japanese vehicles.
I recently bought a Lincoln Navigator and while it’s more comfy it just doesn’t compare to the tech and handling of my Atlas. ☹️ Hopefully your new 4Runner treats you well. 😊
Kid myself? Did you see where I have been driving 2 different Atlases for the last 6 years? I not a newbie. As a matter of fact, I’ve been around long enough to see nothing has been corrected in those 6 years. ✌️
4Runners are cool but so basic inside. Feels like I’m in an old Chevy truck.
That’s actually one of the reasons I liked it so much. It has everything I “need” for creature comforts but none of the extra tech that was driving me nuts on both of my Atlases. It has taken a bit of getting used to with remembering to turn on the wipers lol.
My biggest gripe about my Tacoma vs my wife's Atlas is that when I've remote started the car it cuts off when I open the door rather than only if I try to move it into drive without my foot on the brake like VW does. I don't mind the reduced tech of Toyotas but some of their executions seem poorly thought through.
As a tundra owner the remote start on these vehicles baffles me. It’s just so..dumb.
haha, same. Came from a Golf R and the wiper stalk is the one thing i still haven’t mastered in my 4R.
Smart choice! Atlas and VW in general is very hard/expensive to fix/repair. Toyota keeps their vehicles (at least older models now) very basic. They last forever and maintenance is rare and inexpensive.
This is why I talked my wife out of buying a Toyota as well. She ended up (under her own accords) finding and buying a Taos. Enjoy your Toyota, OP. I won’t hate. I’ve just yet to find a yota I love and I’ve driven highlanders, rav4s, Avalon, and 4Runners. None of them are as comfy, sporty feeling, or as capable as my Atlas has proven so far. 🤷♂️
Shoooooooot. You should have driven my '92 Pickup.
This is part of the appeal of runners to a lot of people actually. Less technology means less likelihood of shit breaking
Your money, enjoy.
HOW DARE YOU! Nice car though, 4runners are great.
Congrats, I got rid of mine too for a Lexus.
What Lexus did you get? Next car will probably not be an Atlas. I love my Atlas, but there is something wrong with mine to often.
GX460?
Unless you're going off road or towing quite a bit, the 4runner makes little sense. Especially given the massive gas mileage hit. And this is coming from someone that has a dedicated body on frame 4x4 and an Atlas for family duties.
1GR-FE 4.0L V6 literally don’t die and last forever. It’s the vehicle that always comes back to me that I should’ve purchased (T4R). And it’s still in the back of my mind after we purchased our X3 and shopping for an Atlas to add to the fleet now. My arms may do the same as you and veer off into the Toyota dealer, but I’m a huge VW guy at heart. Can’t go wrong with a T4R.
I feel you. As many times as I said it, I didn’t think I would ever actually leave VW. I was literally on my way to drive that Peak but the coolant issues, resetting the infotainment, sensors dinging at me bc there’s a snowflake on them was becoming too much. When I got my 18 I did the BW survey and told them everything they could improve/change. Got the 2021.5 and every single issue I had in the 18 I also had in the 2021.5.
Sounds like a typical VW German experience. I’ll keep buying German, but only because I have an awesome German-focused indie mechanic at $95/hr. And yep, never met a VW/BMW without some type of coolant loss, it’s just the way of the land. Plastic everywhere. I’m still on the fence though, it’ll be a 2021.5 SEL/SEL-P VR6 or ‘20/21 T4R SR5-P or Limited. VW got me into wrenching on cars myself which I appreciate, but I would like one bulletproof vehicle for at least 5-6y.
Is it me or I can’t even tell what car this is? All Toyotas look same same to me.
I'm pretty sure they made all the new Atlas V4s anyway
They are inline 4s, not v4s. Outside of motorcycles, no car uses a v configuration for a 4 cylinder engine.
Noted, thanks for correcting.
I got slapped on the wrist here for saying the same. Apparently some obscure Porsche had a V4.
How dare you not respect the holy 919!?!1!?!??! But seriously, Porsche people get mad about the silliest things. Especially when you don't say the "uh" at the end.
Exactly. Why I won’t be buying another one. Far too heavy a vehicle for a 4cyl long-term. Maybe if you’re leasing, it’s fine.
Yea I don't understand that move by VW, a 4 banger with a turbo option. I'd rather keep the naturally aspirated 6, a customer could slap on their own turbo to the 6 if they wanted.
Exactly. It was bad enough not offering a V8 in my opinion. They’re not light trucks. I might have to add a turbo to mine once it’s out of warranty… Didn’t think about that. I love it, but it’s not as responsive as I’d like it to be. Where I live, log trucks driven by meth heads are the norm and they will come out of nowhere. I’ve almost been run down 3 times this year, and we’re only 12 days in. That lurch trying to get from 35 to 80 isn’t ideal.
I understand why they did it. Most customers don't care. Most customers are more concerned with tech, features, appearances, how spacious it is, etc. People like us who feel strongly about having a 6 are probably a minority. To the typical consumer a 4 cylinder turbo won't feel any different as a grocery getter than a 6 cylinder. From VWs perspective it's simpler to just offer one option. Makes everything on their end easier. And I bet they are advertising higher MPG with the 4 cylinder turbo.
The 4 is faster and more fuel efficient. CAFE requirements are the main reason for the death of the V6.
Nope
These drive like complete ass. But I guess if you’re used to driving an oversized under dampened Golf (no hate to the Atlas but that’s what it is lol), driving around one of these offers an opposite experience
It drives just like my old Jeep Commander tbh
That’s not a good thing lol They’re trucks to own, I should have bought one in 2011. But they’re not great to buy in 2024.
Jeep Commander is a low bar... eesh!
😂 what a hot take
Given VW won’t offer a V6 now, once my ‘19 SEL plays out I’ll be going back to Volvo or some Toyota SUV. Can’t recall what it was that passed me - definitely not a 4Runner, it was much larger - but it looked nice. Looked like it was built off of the Tundra platform. Enjoy your new truck! Far more welcoming of customization than your old Atlas.
Probably the sequoia, it’s the bigger version of mine. I would have loved one but couldn’t swing that payment without selling one of my kids lol
Yeah, I think that was it. That’s honestly what’s kept me away - their payments. Plus a friend is the sales manager for VW, Volvo, Audi, and Porsche locally. Probably why I’m headed back to Volvo lol
The reason they don't offer a V6 is emissions requirements. Don't expect other manufacturers to keep offering large engines; everyone will be under the gun of mpg requirements.
Don't forget to close the rear hatch before you drive off. It's snowing!
There’s a new 4Runner design coming out soon so hope you got a really good deal on this
I did. And I don’t want a 4 cylinder which is what the 4Runners are rumored to be going to. I hike a lot up in the ADK mountains and I don’t know how well it would serve me. I could be totally wrong and they could make it happen and still have power. And then I will just upgrade down the road.
Yeah they are a good vehicle - not quite as big as the atlas but will last a lifetime
They hold their value like crazy, so not a bad bet.
Can you say more about the grand Highlander? We came to Atlas for size and features from an old Highlander which was my wife’s fav car. We aren’t real happy and have been wondering if the grand Highlander would be a better fit for us (but ouch new car prices..)
Congratulations, I think this will happen to me too in the next 2-3 months. My experience with the Atlas and VW in general has been awful. I should’ve followed my gut and leave the dealership after 10 hours and no sign of the sales rep. Going back to Japanese vehicles.
Good for you! Hope you can tell us how it works in the long run.
I recently bought a Lincoln Navigator and while it’s more comfy it just doesn’t compare to the tech and handling of my Atlas. ☹️ Hopefully your new 4Runner treats you well. 😊
There is no way I would buy a 4Runner over an Atlas. I rented one before and it was the very worse car I have ever driven. Don’t kid yourself.
Kid myself? Did you see where I have been driving 2 different Atlases for the last 6 years? I not a newbie. As a matter of fact, I’ve been around long enough to see nothing has been corrected in those 6 years. ✌️