2022 Volkswagen Taos vs 2021 Honda Odyssey

The 2021 Honda Odyssey had a familiar look that was subtly updated for the new model year. It featured a new grille and front bumper, standard LED headlights with automatic high-beam operation across all trims, and a new gloss black spear with a chrome insert stretching the width of the taillights. New wheel designs were introduced for the top three trim levels, modernizing the Odyssey by reducing brightwork. Buyers could choose from five trim levels: LX, EX, EX-L, Touring, and Elite, with base prices ranging from $31,790 to $47,820, excluding destination charges. The test vehicle, a Lunar Silver Metallic Elite trim, was priced at $48,940, including the $1,120 destination charge. The Elite trim featured perforated leather upholstery with contrast stitching and piping, new dashboard ambient lighting, and handsome new 19-inch wheels with Shark Gray paint and machined surfaces, giving it a more luxurious feel.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos was positioned as a compact SUV with a spacious interior, competing with models like the Kia Seltos, Jeep Compass, and Subaru Crosstrek. It came in S, SE, or SEL trims, with prices ranging from $22,995 to $33,045, plus a $1,195 destination charge. The Taos offered a choice between front-wheel drive and 4Motion all-wheel drive, with the latter featuring a dual-clutch automated manual transmission and an independent multilink rear suspension. The SEL 4Motion test vehicle had 19-inch machined-finish aluminum wheels and Cornflower Blue paint, adding significant presence. The interior featured hard plastics but included soft surfaces where it mattered most, with the SEL trim offering two-tone perforated leather, contrast stitching, and an upscale dashboard strip. However, the interior's hard, shiny plastics were reminiscent of children's toys, detracting from the overall feel.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine and a ten-speed automatic transmission, delivering 280 horsepower to the front wheels. The drivetrain included Normal, Sport, Econ, and Snow driving modes, along with paddle shifters. The V6 engine featured variable cylinder management for improved fuel efficiency, with an EPA rating of 22 mpg in combined driving. During testing, the Odyssey averaged 21.8 mpg. The Odyssey lacked all-wheel drive, putting it at a disadvantage in snowy regions. However, it featured a new electronic brake booster for improved brake pedal feel and response, and the adaptive cruise control now included stop-and-go capability. The Odyssey's ride and handling were enjoyable, with perfectly weighted steering and firm but comfortable suspension. However, the brakes showed signs of fade during extended use in hot conditions, indicating a need for a braking component upgrade.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos featured a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The engine's robust torque provided adequate power, but the turbocharger's delayed response resulted in sudden torque delivery. The seven-speed dual-clutch transmission paired with the 4Motion AWD system offered rousing performance but suffered from erratic and harsh shifting. The standard eight-speed automatic transmission, available only with front-wheel drive, provided smoother and more consistent behavior. The Taos SEL 4Motion in Sport mode improved driveability but did not completely eliminate the powertrain's herky-jerky nature. Despite these issues, the Taos was enjoyable to drive, with responsive steering, effective brakes, and commendable grip. However, its 6.6-inch ground clearance limited its off-road capability. The EPA rated the Taos SEL 4Motion at 28 mpg in combined driving, with the test vehicle averaging 27.1 mpg.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey offered a well-designed interior with legible instrumentation, logical controls, and ample storage. The 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat, standard in all but the base LX trim, was comfortable and included inboard adjustable armrests. The Elite trim added a heated steering wheel and heated and ventilated front seats. The second-row Magic Slide seats provided versatile seating configurations, while the third-row seats accommodated both children and adults comfortably. Cargo space was generous, with 32.8 cubic feet behind the third row, 88.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 144.9 cubic feet with the second-row seats removed. However, removing and reinstalling the second-row seats was cumbersome.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos boasted a spacious cabin, with the SEL's deeply bolstered front seats offering plenty of seat-track travel and height adjustment. The driver's seat featured eight-way power adjustment and power lumbar support, while the SEL 4Motion included heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The rear seat provided generous legroom and a comfortable cushion and backrest, with rear air conditioning vents for added comfort. Storage space was adequate, though the bin under the front center armrest was small. Cargo space varied depending on the drive system, with the front-wheel-drive model offering 27.9 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 65.9 cubic feet with the rear seat folded. The 4Motion model had slightly less cargo space, with 24.9 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 60.2 cubic feet with the rear seat folded. The Taos also featured a center pass-through for carrying long items like skis.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey, starting with the EX trim, featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, HD Radio, text-messaging support, basic HondaLink connectivity, and a Cabin Control smartphone app. The Touring trim added a navigation system, HondaLink subscription services, WiFi capability, a CabinWatch interior camera, and a CabinTalk in-vehicle PA system. The Elite trim included an 11-speaker premium sound system, multi-zone listening options, and wireless smartphone charging. However, the lack of a tuning knob and subpar voice-recognition technology were notable drawbacks. The rear-seat entertainment system, available on Touring and Elite trims, included a 10.2-inch screen, Blu-Ray disc player, wireless headphones, and built-in streaming apps.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos came standard with Digital Cockpit instrumentation and a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system on the S trim. The SE and SEL trims featured an 8-inch touchscreen with more advanced MIB3 software. All Taos models included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Car-Net connected services with an available WiFi hotspot. The SE trim added wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, voice control, and wireless smartphone charging. The SEL trim included a navigation system and an eight-speaker BeatsAudio premium sound system. However, the voice-recognition technology and user experience were lacking, with complex menu navigation and slow system response detracting from the overall experience.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey improved its safety features for 2021, with Honda Sensing now standard on all trims. The system included adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, pedestrian braking, road-sign recognition, and a new Honda Sensing menu button for easy access to ADAS settings. However, blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning were only available on EX trim and above. The Odyssey's ADAS worked accurately but could be smoother in operation. The Odyssey earned top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, with five-star ratings in all but rollover resistance, which received a four-star rating.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos offered IQ Drive safety technologies as standard or optional on all trims. The IQ Drive package, available for $995 on the Taos S, included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The package also added Travel Assist and Emergency Assist, with the latter responding to an inactive driver by slowing the vehicle and bringing it to a safe stop. The Taos SEL included all these features as standard, along with rain-sensing wipers, road sign recognition, and rear parking sensors with automatic braking. However, the reverse automatic braking system could be overly sensitive, requiring manual deactivation for some users. As a new model, the Taos had not yet been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS.