2022 Volkswagen Taos vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLB

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos was positioned as a compact SUV with a roomy interior, fitting neatly between subcompact and compact crossovers. It came in S, SE, and 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 exterior styling included 19-inch machined-finish aluminum wheels and Cornflower Blue paint, while the interior had hard plastics but also soft surfaces where it mattered, with the SEL trim offering two-tone perforated leather and contrast stitching.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLB slotted between the GLA and GLC in the automaker's lineup, available in GLB250 and AMG GLB35 specifications. The GLB250 started at $38,600, while the AMG GLB35 began at $51,000, with a $1,050 destination charge. The AMG GLB35 featured a more powerful drivetrain, 21-inch wheels, and various AMG-specific upgrades. The GLB's design was functional, with a steep windshield angle and short overhangs, but the interior was beautifully rendered with high-definition displays and artistic air vents. However, the controls required some acclimation, and the road noise was loud, especially with the optional 21-inch wheels.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos featured a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 184 pound-feet of torque at 1,750 rpm. The engine's robust torque made the Taos feel powerful, but the turbocharger's delayed response and the dual-clutch transmission's erratic shifting could be irritating. The standard eight-speed automatic transmission offered smoother driving but was only available with front-wheel drive. The Taos SEL 4Motion in Sport mode provided a more engaging driving experience, with responsive steering, effective brakes, and commendable grip. However, its 6.6-inch ground clearance limited its off-road capabilities. The EPA rated the Taos SEL 4Motion at 28 mpg in combined driving, and it averaged 27.1 mpg during testing.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLB employed a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, with the AMG GLB35 version producing 302 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The AMG GLB35 featured an AMG SpeedShift eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, AMG Performance variable 4Matic AWD, and an AMG Sport Exhaust system. It accelerated to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds, with an EPA rating of 22 mpg in combined driving, and averaged 21.8 mpg during testing. The AMG GLB35 emphasized performance, with a firm ride and some throttle lag, but it excelled on twisty roads with excellent grip and responsive brakes. The GLB250 offered a more comfortable daily-driving experience.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos boasted an impressively roomy cabin, with deeply bolstered front seats offering plenty of adjustment options. The SEL 4Motion included heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The rear seat was spacious, with generous legroom and rear air conditioning vents. Cargo space varied depending on the drive system, with the front-wheel-drive model offering 27.9 cubic feet behind the back seat and 65.9 cubic feet with the back seat folded down. The 4Motion model had slightly less cargo space, with 24.9 cubic feet and 60.2 cubic feet, respectively. A center pass-through made the Taos suitable for ski trips.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLB catered to urbanites needing a roomy but small SUV, with an optional third-row seat for children. Standard features included dual-zone automatic climate control and eight-way power-adjustable front seats. The GLB offered simulated leather upholstery, with options for real leather, heated and ventilated front seats, and a panoramic glass sunroof. The rear seats provided comfortable seating for two adults, with an optional third-row seat reducing cargo space. The power rear liftgate revealed a 22 cubic-foot cargo area, expandable to 62 cubic feet with the second-row seat folded flat.

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 touchscreen with MIB3 software. All trims included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Car-Net connected services. 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 could be improved, and the transition from Fender to BeatsAudio components was not seen as a positive development.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLB featured the Mercedes Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system, with the AMG GLB35 including a 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Standard features included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Mercedes Me connected services. The optional Premium Package added satellite radio, while the Multimedia Package included a navigation system with augmented reality. Additional upgrades included wireless smartphone charging, a Burmester premium surround-sound audio system, WiFi service, and an MBUX Interior Assistant gesture control system. The MBUX system was user-friendly, with natural voice recognition and a digital assistant that responded accurately to prompts.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos democratized its IQ Drive safety technologies, making them standard or available for all trim levels. 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 and Emergency Assist were also available, with the latter responding to an inactive driver by bringing the SUV 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 could be overly sensitive, but it could be turned off.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLB test vehicle did not include the optional Driver Assistance Package, which added 12 driving assistance and collision-avoidance technologies. The package included adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assistance, evasive steering assist, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, rear cross-traffic warning, and Active Emergency Stop Assist. The test vehicle did have Active Brake Assist, blind-spot monitoring, Mercedes-Benz emergency call service, rain-sensing wipers, an Attention Assist driver monitoring system, and Exit Warning Assist. Crash-test ratings for the GLB were unavailable.