2022 Volkswagen Taos vs 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos was positioned as a compact SUV that offered a spacious interior, fitting neatly between subcompact and compact crossover SUVs. It came in three trims: S, SE, and SEL, with prices ranging from $22,995 to $33,045. The Taos featured a choice between front-wheel drive and 4Motion all-wheel drive, with the latter including a dual-clutch automated manual transmission and an independent multilink rear suspension. The exterior styling was consistent with Volkswagen’s lineup, featuring 19-inch machined-finish aluminum wheels and Cornflower Blue paint. However, the interior was criticized for its hard, shiny plastics, though the SEL trim did offer two-tone perforated leather and upscale dashboard materials.

In contrast, the 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid was a minivan that aimed to offer practicality and efficiency. Despite its minivan stigma, it provided a plug-in hybrid drivetrain with a 3.6-liter V6 engine and a dual-motor electric drive system, producing a total of 260 horsepower. The Pacifica Hybrid could travel up to 32 miles on electric power alone and offered a combined fuel economy of 37.1 mpg. The interior featured black Nappa premium leather, triple-zone automatic climate control, and a Uconnect Theater rear-seat entertainment system. However, its rounded styling appeared dated compared to more modern designs, and it lacked the Stow n’ Go seating found in non-hybrid Pacificas.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos was powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 158 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The engine’s torque was available from a low 1,750 rpm, but the turbocharger caused delayed throttle response, leading to sudden bursts of power. The seven-speed dual-clutch transmission paired with the 4Motion AWD system offered spirited 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 delivered a confident driving experience, aided by P225/45R19 Pirelli Scorpion all-season tires. However, its ground clearance of 6.6 inches was less than competitors like the Jeep Compass and Subaru Crosstrek. The Taos SEL 4Motion achieved an EPA-rated 28 mpg in combined driving, with real-world testing averaging 27.1 mpg.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid featured a plug-in hybrid drivetrain based on a 3.6-liter V6 engine, paired with a dual-motor electric drive system. This setup produced a total of 260 horsepower, with immediate torque from the electric motors. The Pacifica Hybrid could travel up to 32 miles on electric power alone and achieved a combined fuel economy of 37.1 mpg during testing. The transition between electric and gasoline power was nearly imperceptible, and the regenerative braking system helped recharge the battery. However, the Pacifica Hybrid’s driving dynamics were unremarkable, with light and uncommunicative steering, occasionally grabby brakes, and limited cornering grip. Despite its efficient powertrain, the Pacifica Hybrid’s driving experience was described as dull and appliance-like.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos offered a spacious interior, with deeply bolstered front seats providing ample seat-track travel and height adjustment. The SEL 4Motion trim included heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The rear seat was equally roomy, with generous legroom and rear air conditioning vents. Cargo space varied depending on the drive system, with front-wheel-drive models offering 27.9 cubic feet behind the back seat and 65.9 cubic feet with the back seat folded down. The 4Motion models had slightly less cargo space, with 24.9 cubic feet behind the back seat and 60.2 cubic feet with the back seat folded down. A center pass-through made the Taos suitable for ski trips.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid excelled in comfort and utility, offering three rows of comfortable seats and ample cargo space. The interior featured triple-zone automatic climate control, quality leather upholstery, and heated and ventilated front seats. Storage options were plentiful, with extra shelves, a large floor tray, and multiple bins and cupholders. The second-row seats were more comfortable than the standard Pacifica’s Stow n’ Go seats but required removal to maximize cargo space. The third-row seat was reasonably comfortable, with cupholders, USB ports, and side window shades. The Pacifica Hybrid provided 32.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 87.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and up to 140.5 cubic feet with the second-row seats removed.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos came equipped with Digital Cockpit instrumentation and a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system on the S trim. The SE and SEL trims featured an 8-inch touchscreen with MIB3 software, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and wireless smartphone charging. The SEL trim added a navigation system and an eight-speaker BeatsAudio premium sound system. However, the voice-recognition technology and user experience were criticized for being cumbersome and slow.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system with a 10.1-inch touchscreen display. It offered appealing graphics, a simple user interface, and quick response times. Uconnect 5 included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and connected services with a Wi-Fi hotspot. The available FamCam overhead camera system allowed parents to monitor rear-seat passengers. The Pacifica Hybrid also offered a 20-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system and an Amazon Fire TV rear-seat entertainment system. However, the voice recognition technology was hit-and-miss, and the rear-seat entertainment system was deemed unnecessary for tech-savvy teenagers.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos democratized its IQ Drive safety technologies, making them standard or available across all trims. The IQ Drive package included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. Travel Assist, a Level 2 advanced driving assistance system, and Emergency Assist were also available. 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 was overly sensitive and required manual deactivation to avoid false alarms.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid claimed to offer more standard safety and security features than any other vehicle in the industry. It included a rear-seat reminder system to prevent leaving children or pets inside the vehicle. The Pacifica Hybrid came with a comprehensive package of driver-assist and collision-avoidance features, including adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and lane-keeping assist. However, the adaptive cruise control system needed refinement, as it was slow to recognize lane departures and overly cautious when other vehicles cut in. The Pacifica Hybrid earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with a four-star rating for frontal-impact protection.