2022 Volkswagen Taos vs 2022 Nissan Rogue

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos was positioned as an affordable yet stylish entry into the compact SUV market. Volkswagen designed the Taos to slot below the larger Tiguan, thus catering to a market segment that includes competitors like the Kia Seltos and Subaru Crosstrek. Priced between $22,995 and $33,045, the Taos was accessible to a wide range of buyers, particularly with its factory and dealer-installed options.

Visually, the Taos fit seamlessly within Volkswagen's existing lineup. Notable elements included 19-inch machined-finish aluminum wheels on the SEL 4Motion, Cornflower Blue paint, roof rails, dark gray plastic cladding, and skid plates. However, the blacked-out front bumper was considered a less successful design choice.

Inside, the Taos's interior was filled with hard, somewhat shiny plastics, which some critics found reminiscent of children's toy materials—a sentiment echoing the videographer's unflattering comparison. Nevertheless, the SEL trim added sophistication with two-tone perforated leather seats, contrast stitching, and stitched dashboard and door panel inserts.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue underwent a redesign in 2021, transitioning from its previous somewhat cute styling to a more mature, sophisticated look. This change carried into the 2022 model year, adhering to the sleek aesthetic seen in the Nissan Pathfinder, complete with the V-motion grille and multi-level LED headlights.

The Rogue's interior employed a layered dash design with distinct horizontal layers, enhancing its visual appeal. An electronic gear selector and a series of new storage solutions, such as the open space beneath the center console, provided both functionality and a modern look. Upper trims boasted a 9-inch infotainment display and a layered, tastefully executed dashboard with contrasting colors and textures.

Adding to its sophistication, the Rogue seemed to prioritize occupant comfort and convenience. Zero Gravity front seats offered excellent comfort, and the roomy second row accommodated adults with ease. Fit and finish were standout features, particularly in the top-tier Platinum model, showcasing Nissan’s attention to materials and build quality.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos featured a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 158 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. The engine’s robust torque allowed the Taos to maintain competent performance levels, but the delayed throttle response and sudden power delivery, when the turbo eventually spooled up, could be bothersome. The seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, though offering spirited performance, often felt erratic and harsh, contrasting with the smoother eight-speed automatic available in the FWD models.

Despite these issues, the Taos retained Volkswagen's characteristic light and compliant driving dynamic, with taut handling, effective brakes, and responsive steering. However, it notably lagged in terms of off-road capability, offering just 6.6 inches of ground clearance. Fuel economy for the SEL 4Motion stood at 28 mpg combined, with test figures averaging around 27.1 mpg.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue, on the other hand, saw a performance uplift thanks to its new 1.5-liter VC-Turbo engine, delivering 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque. This represented an 11% increase in power and a 24% boost in torque over the previous model year, energizing the Rogue's performance significantly. The new engine's variable compression ratio provided both power and efficiency, with EPA fuel economy estimates of 30 mpg city and 37 mpg highway, translating to 33 mpg combined.

A redesigned CVT provided improved responsiveness in various driving scenarios. The Rogue's chassis and suspension adeptly managed the newfound power, maintaining a smooth, controlled ride with minimal body roll. Steering feedback was commendable, and the compact turning diameter enhanced maneuverability in tight spaces.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos boasted a surprisingly roomy cabin for a compact SUV. The SEL trim's front seats were well-bolstered with extensive adjustment options, including heated and ventilated functionality. The rear seat offered ample legroom and passenger comfort, aided by rear air conditioning vents.

However, cargo space varied based on the drive system. FWD models offered 27.9 cubic feet of cargo room behind the rear seats and 65.9 cubic feet with those seats folded. This volume dropped to 24.9 cubic feet and 60.2 cubic feet, respectively, in AWD models due to the independent rear suspension. The center pass-through in the rear seatback was a practical feature for carrying long items like skis.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue excelled at maximizing interior space and storage solutions. In the front cabin, clever storage solutions included numerous cubbies, bottle holders, cupholders, and under-console storage. Rear passengers enjoyed a similarly thoughtful design, with ample legroom and multiple charging ports.

Cargo capacity was where the Rogue shone, offering 31.6 to 36.5 cubic feet of storage space behind the second row, depending on the configuration. Folding down the rear seats revealed a cavernous 74.1 cubic feet of cargo space, accommodating a variety of hauling needs.

Volkswagen equipped the 2022 Taos with its Digital Cockpit as standard, along with a basic 6.5-inch touchscreen on the S trim. SE and SEL trims upgraded to an 8-inch touchscreen with MIB3 software, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM with 360L service, and wireless smartphone charging. The SEL trim added an eight-speaker BeatsAudio system and a navigation system.

However, the user experience with Volkswagen’s MIB3 system was subpar, with issues like delayed voice recognition and overly complicated navigation of the radio controls detracting from its appeal.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue's tech suite was more polished, following its significant upgrade in 2021. Higher trims featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 9-inch center touchscreen, and a 10.8-inch head-up display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with wireless Apple CarPlay available on upper trims. ProPilot Assist, especially when integrated with navigation, added semi-autonomous driving capabilities.

The Rogue’s user interface was intuitive and responsive, enhancing its daily usability and overall appeal.

Volkswagen's IQ Drive suite of safety technologies was standard or available across all 2022 Taos trims. Key features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assistance, and Travel Assist—a Level 2 advanced driving assistance system. Emergency Assist, available on higher trims, provided an additional layer of safety by bringing the vehicle to a halt if the driver became incapacitated.

Despite these features, the 2022 Taos had not yet been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS at the time of review.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue included the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite as standard, covering automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, high beam assist, and rear automatic braking. Ten airbags and extended crumple zones augmented this suite. The ProPilot Assist system, especially when combined with Navi-Link, further enhanced safety with adaptive cruise control and steering assist.

The 2022 Rogue earned a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and was expected to maintain the Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, achieved by its 2021 predecessor.