2022 Volkswagen Taos vs 2022 Honda Odyssey

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was a minivan that catered to families with its practical design and thoughtful features. Its sliding side doors made it easy to load children into car seats, even in tight parking spaces, and its spacious third-row seating comfortably accommodated additional passengers like grandparents or carpoolers. The Odyssey's cargo space was impressive, offering the same volume as a Chevrolet Suburban when the third-row seat was folded and the second-row seats were removed. Despite its utilitarian nature, the Odyssey managed to maintain a sense of style, especially in the Elite trim with its dark gray 19-inch aluminum wheels and kinked sliding doors that added character to its design.

In contrast, the 2022 Volkswagen Taos was positioned as a compact SUV with a roomy interior that belied its classification. It offered a choice of front-wheel drive or 4Motion all-wheel drive, with the latter providing a more dynamic driving experience thanks to a dual-clutch transmission and independent rear suspension. The Taos's exterior styling was in line with Volkswagen's SUV lineup, featuring roof rails, skid plates, and a distinctive Cornflower Blue paint option. Inside, the Taos provided a mix of hard plastics and soft-touch materials, with the SEL trim offering two-tone perforated leather and a stitched dashboard. However, the interior's plastic quality was likened to children's toys, which was not a compliment.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. It was a front-wheel-drive minivan, lacking the all-wheel-drive or hybrid options available in some competitors. The Odyssey's EPA fuel economy was estimated at 22 mpg in combined driving, which was less efficient than hybrid rivals like the Toyota Sienna and Chrysler Pacifica. Despite this, the Odyssey was enjoyable to drive, offering quick acceleration, responsive handling, and a composed ride. However, its brakes were prone to heating up during downhill driving, leading to pedal vibration and noise.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos featured a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 158 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The engine's torque delivery was delayed due to turbo lag, resulting in sudden power surges. The 4Motion all-wheel-drive system came with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, which provided spirited performance but suffered from erratic shifting. The standard eight-speed automatic transmission offered smoother operation but was only available with front-wheel drive. The Taos's driving dynamics were otherwise commendable, with responsive steering, effective brakes, and good road grip. Its fuel economy was rated at 28 mpg in combined driving, with real-world testing showing an average of 27.1 mpg.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey offered easy access with wide-opening doors and a low step-in height. Inside, the Elite trim featured quality leather, power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, and a tri-zone climate control system. The minivan provided ample storage options, including a center console tray and door panel shelves. The second-row Magic Slide seats allowed for flexible configurations, enhancing safety and convenience. The third-row seat was comfortable for adults, and the Odyssey boasted 32.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind it, expanding to 144.9 cubic feet with the second-row seats removed.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos was notable for its spacious interior, with deeply bolstered front seats offering extensive adjustment options. The rear seat provided generous legroom and comfort, complemented by rear air conditioning vents. Cargo space varied depending on the drive system, with front-wheel-drive models offering up to 65.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, while 4Motion models had slightly less space due to the independent rear suspension. The Taos also featured a center pass-through for transporting long items like skis.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey Elite was equipped with a range of technology features, though its infotainment system was considered outdated. Starting with the EX trim, it included an 8-inch touchscreen, satellite radio, and smartphone integration. Higher trims added navigation, CabinWatch, and CabinTalk systems, as well as a rear-seat entertainment system with a 10.2-inch screen. The Elite trim featured an 11-speaker audio system and wireless charging. However, the infotainment system's small screen and lack of a tuning knob were drawbacks, and the voice recognition was limited compared to smartphone assistants.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos came with Digital Cockpit instrumentation and a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen, with higher trims offering an 8-inch display and MIB3 software. All trims included smartphone integration and Car-Net services, with SE and SEL trims adding wireless connectivity, satellite radio, and wireless charging. The SEL trim also featured navigation and a BeatsAudio sound system. However, the infotainment system's user experience was criticized for its complexity, and the voice recognition was unreliable in the test vehicle.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was well-equipped with safety features, including the Honda Sensing suite, which offered adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance. It also had automatic high-beam headlights and a rear-seat reminder system. However, the safety systems were noted for their lack of refinement, with some features responding too abruptly. The Odyssey received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos offered IQ Drive safety technologies, standard or available across all trims. The package included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, and lane-keeping assistance. Additional features like Travel Assist and Emergency Assist were available, providing advanced driving assistance and emergency response capabilities. The Taos SEL included these technologies as standard, along with rain-sensing wipers and road sign recognition. However, the reverse automatic braking system was overly sensitive in certain situations. As a new model, the Taos had not yet been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS.