2022 Volkswagen Taos vs 2022 Jeep Compass

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos was positioned as a compact SUV with a spacious interior, fitting neatly into Volkswagen's lineup between the subcompact and compact segments. It offered a choice of S, SE, or SEL trims, with prices ranging from $22,995 to $33,045, plus a $1,195 destination charge. The Taos featured a distinctive design with 19-inch machined-finish aluminum wheels and Cornflower Blue paint, giving it a vibrant personality. However, the interior was criticized for its hard plastic surfaces, though the SEL trim provided upscale touches like two-tone perforated leather and contrast stitching.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Compass maintained its familiar design with some exterior updates, resembling a smaller Grand Cherokee. The High Altitude model featured 19-inch multi-spoke wheels and a premium appearance. Inside, the Compass impressed with a new dashboard design, luxury-grade leather seats, and added sound deadening, enhancing its premium feel. The High Altitude trim, the most expensive in the lineup, offered a range of features, including a dual-pane panoramic sunroof and a redesigned center console, elevating its sophistication.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos was equipped with a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. While the engine provided sufficient power, the turbocharger's delayed response and the dual-clutch transmission's erratic shifting could be frustrating. The standard eight-speed automatic transmission offered smoother performance but was limited to front-wheel drive. The Taos excelled in handling, with responsive steering and effective brakes, but its ground clearance of 6.6 inches limited its off-road capabilities. The Taos SEL 4Motion achieved an EPA rating of 28 mpg in combined driving, though real-world testing averaged 27.1 mpg.

The 2022 Jeep Compass featured a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 177 horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque. The engine's performance was underwhelming, lacking the power of a turbocharged option. The nine-speed automatic transmission, while better than a CVT, was slow to downshift and quick to upshift, resulting in a busy powertrain character. The Compass offered Jeep Selec-Terrain with various driving modes and an Active Drive AWD system, providing 8.1 inches of ground clearance for light off-roading. The Compass High Altitude averaged 23.8 mpg in testing, slightly below its EPA rating of 25 mpg.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos boasted a spacious interior, with ample room for both front and rear passengers. The SEL trim offered eight-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, along with a heated steering wheel. Rear passengers enjoyed generous legroom and air conditioning vents. Cargo space varied depending on the drive system, with up to 65.9 cubic feet available in front-wheel-drive models. The Taos also featured a center pass-through for added versatility.

The 2022 Jeep Compass provided enough space for four adults and their luggage, with front seats offering eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The High Altitude trim included a heated steering wheel and rear seats, along with premium leather upholstery. The redesigned dashboard and Uconnect 5 infotainment system enhanced the interior's sophistication. Cargo capacity reached 27.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 59.8 cubic feet with the seats folded, surpassing the more expensive Cherokee model.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos came with Digital Cockpit instrumentation and a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with SE and SEL trims featuring an 8-inch display. The MIB3 software offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and wireless smartphone charging. However, the voice-recognition technology was unreliable, and the user experience was cumbersome. The SEL trim included a navigation system and an eight-speaker BeatsAudio premium sound system.

The 2022 Jeep Compass featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, which was five times faster than its predecessor. It offered an 8.4-inch touchscreen as standard, with a 10.1-inch upgrade available. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa, along with a WiFi hotspot and wireless charging pad. The voice recognition system was fast and accurate, though it struggled with specific requests. Overall, Uconnect 5 impressed with its speed and functionality.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos offered IQ Drive safety technologies, available as an option on the base S trim and standard on higher trims. Features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The Taos SEL added Travel Assist and Emergency Assist, providing advanced driving assistance. However, the reverse automatic braking system was overly sensitive, requiring manual deactivation. As of the review, crash test ratings were unavailable.

The 2022 Jeep Compass improved its safety features, with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring as standard. Highway Assist, combining adaptive cruise control and lane-centering, was set to be added later. The Compass also offered parking assistance and a 360-degree camera system. While the adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping systems generally worked well, the forward-collision warning system occasionally produced false positives. Safety ratings from IIHS and NHTSA were pending, but previous rollover resistance ratings were carried over.