2022 Volkswagen Taos vs 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 was a fresh take on Hyundai's electrified mobility, distinct from the original Ioniq. It featured a minimalist yet intricate exterior design, characterized by the Parametric Pixel theme, which incorporated numerous LED pixels in all lighting elements. The interior, contrasting the exterior's complexity, offered a serene "Living Space" with sustainable materials and a Relaxation mode for the driver's seat, emphasizing comfort and eco-friendliness.

In contrast, the 2022 Volkswagen Taos presented a straightforward yet detailed design. It came in S, SE, and SEL trims, with a choice of front-wheel drive or 4Motion all-wheel drive. The Taos featured a handsome exterior with 19-inch machined-finish aluminum wheels and Cornflower Blue paint. Inside, it offered a spacious cabin with deeply bolstered seats, soft-touch surfaces, and practical storage solutions, though some interior plastics felt cheap.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 offered two drive configurations, three trims, and three powertrains. The base SE Standard Range had a 128-kW rear motor producing 168 hp and a 220-mile range. The extended-range models featured a 168-kW rear motor with 225 hp and a 303-mile range. The AWD variants had a dual-motor system with 320 hp and 446 lb-ft of torque, but a reduced range of 256 miles. The Ioniq 5 provided a balanced driving experience with four drive modes, including Sport, and paddle shifters for adjusting regenerative braking.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos was powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 158 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. The 4Motion AWD system paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission offered spirited performance but suffered from erratic shifting and turbo lag. The standard eight-speed automatic with front-wheel drive provided smoother driving but lacked the sophistication of the AWD system. The Taos excelled in road feel, steering, and handling, though its ground clearance was limited for off-road adventures.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5, built on the Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), offered a spacious interior with a 118.1-inch wheelbase, longer than the seven-passenger Palisade. It provided 133.7 cubic feet of total interior volume, with 106.5 cubic feet for passengers. The interior featured a moveable center console, comfortable leatherette seats, and ample storage, emphasizing a "Living Space" theme.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos boasted a roomy cabin, especially for a compact SUV. The SEL trim offered deeply bolstered seats with power adjustments, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The rear seat provided generous legroom and comfort, with rear air conditioning vents. Cargo space varied by drive system, with the front-wheel-drive model offering 27.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 65.9 cubic feet with them folded, while the 4Motion model had slightly less space.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 featured advanced technology, including a high-voltage system with vehicle-to-load capabilities, allowing it to charge other devices and vehicles. It supported 800-volt charging, reaching 80% battery capacity in 18 minutes. The Ioniq 5 also offered a redesigned Blue Link app, digital key, AI-powered voice recognition, and over-the-air updates. The 12.3-inch screens for the instrument cluster and infotainment were elegant and anti-glare.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos came with Digital Cockpit instrumentation and a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system, upgraded to 8 inches in SE and SEL trims. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Car-Net connected services. The SEL trim added navigation and an eight-speaker BeatsAudio system. However, the MIB3 infotainment system had usability issues, with complex controls and unreliable voice recognition.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 was equipped with Hyundai SmartSense, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) including blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, and front- and rear-collision avoidance. It also featured Hyundai Highway Drive Assist I, a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving system with machine-learning adaptive cruise control. The Ioniq 5 was expected to earn high safety ratings, though official results were pending.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos offered IQ Drive safety technologies, standard or available across all trims. The IQ Drive package included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The SEL trim added rain-sensing wipers, road sign recognition, and rear parking sensors with automatic braking. The Taos's reverse automatic braking could be turned off, addressing potential issues with certain driveways. Safety ratings were not yet available.