2026 head-to-head · Small SUV
2026 Toyota Highlander vs Volkswagen Atlas
MPG, range and what each one really costs you to fuel, from official EPA ratings and recalculated with your own gas and electricity prices.
AWD · 2.4L 4-cyl turbo · 8-speed automatic · 24 MPG
The 2026 Toyota Highlander is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, it costs about $1,938 a year to fuel (24 MPG), versus $2,022 for the 2026 Volkswagen Atlas (23 MPG). That's roughly $84 a year, or about $421 over five years.
Your numbers
Change these to match your driving and local prices. Every figure and chart on this page updates.
Fuel cost over 10 years
- Toyota Highlander
- Volkswagen Atlas
Side by side
| Toyota Highlander | Volkswagen Atlas | |
|---|---|---|
| $1,938 | Your annual fuel cost | $2,022 |
| 24 MPG | Combined efficiency | 23 MPG |
| 21 MPG | City | 20 MPG |
| 28 MPG | Highway | 27 MPG |
| 371 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 390 g/mi |
| 5/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 5/10 |
| 5/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 5/10 |
| Gas | Powertrain | Gas |
| Regular gasoline | Fuel | Regular gasoline |
| 2.4L 4-cyl turbo | Engine / motor | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo |
| 8-speed automatic | Transmission | 8-speed automatic |
| AWD | Drivetrain | FWD |
✓ marks the better value. EPA scores run 1–10 (10 is best). Volumes come from the EPA interior volume index and aren't published for every body style.
Toyota Highlander vs Volkswagen Atlas across model years
- Toyota Highlander
- Volkswagen Atlas
Annual fuel cost of the most efficient configuration of each model year, at your prices. Click a point to open that year.
How they differ
Among 114 2026 small SUVs, the Toyota Highlander ranks 81st and the Volkswagen Atlas 85th for lowest fuel cost.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2026 Toyota Highlander or the 2026 Volkswagen Atlas?
Measured by cost to drive, the Toyota Highlander. The Toyota Highlander is rated 24 MPG combined and the Volkswagen Atlas 23 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2026 Toyota Highlander vs. the Volkswagen Atlas per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, about $1,938 for the Toyota Highlander and $2,022 for the Volkswagen Atlas.
Toyota Highlander vs Volkswagen Atlas in other years
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