2022 Volkswagen Taos vs 2022 Toyota Sienna

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos was positioned as a compact SUV, bridging the gap between subcompact and compact crossovers. It came in three trims: S, SE, and SEL, with prices ranging from $22,995 to $33,045. 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 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 Toyota Sienna embraced its minivan identity while incorporating SUV-like styling elements. The fourth-generation Sienna, launched in 2021, featured a macho front end and re-engineered sliding doors for a sleeker profile. The interior was designed to avoid the typical minivan feel, offering ample storage, comfortable seating for up to eight passengers, and a 60/40-split third-row bench that easily stored away. The Sienna's cabin was spacious and practical, with power-operated sliding doors and tailgate, making it a convenient choice for families.

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 robust torque made the Taos feel powerful, but 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 only available with front-wheel drive. The Taos SEL 4Motion, with its Sport mode, provided a more engaging driving experience, though its 6.6-inch ground clearance limited off-road capability. The Taos SEL 4Motion achieved an EPA-rated 28 mpg in combined driving, with real-world testing averaging 27.1 mpg.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna, continuing from its 2021 redesign, featured a hybrid powertrain combining a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors, producing a total of 243 horsepower. The Sienna offered both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, with the latter adding a separate electric motor for the rear wheels. The electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (CVT) provided smooth and efficient power delivery. The Sienna's handling was surprisingly good for a minivan, thanks to its TNGA platform. The big news was its impressive fuel economy, with the FWD model achieving 36 mpg combined and the AWD model 35 mpg combined. The Sienna's 288-volt nickel metal-hydride battery pack was tucked under the front seats, and it came with a 10-year/150,000-mile warranty.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos boasted a spacious cabin, with deeply bolstered front seats offering plenty of adjustment options. The rear seat was equally roomy, with generous legroom and rear air conditioning vents. However, cargo space varied depending on the drive system. The FWD model offered 27.9 cubic feet behind the back seat and 65.9 cubic feet with the back seat folded down, while the 4Motion model had 24.9 cubic feet and 60.2 cubic feet, respectively. The Taos also featured a center pass-through for ski trips.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna excelled in practicality, capable of carrying a full 4x8 sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed. The sliding second row added flexibility for loading cargo, with measurements of 33.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 75.2 cubic feet behind the second row, and 101 cubic feet behind the first row. The Sienna also had a 3,500-pound towing capacity. The standard 60/40-split third-row bench stored away easily, and each row had ample storage cubbies and cupholders. Power-operated sliding doors and tailgate with foot-motion triggers added convenience for busy families.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos came with Digital Cockpit instrumentation and a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system on the S trim, while the SE and SEL trims featured 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 MIB3 infotainment system had usability issues, and the voice-recognition technology was unreliable.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna offered a wealth of standard and available technology features. A 9-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa was standard across all trims. The Sienna also included a one-year trial of Safety Connect and Remote Connect telematics services, a 10-year trial of Service Connect, and a three-month trial of AT&T WiFi Connect. Higher trims featured a 12-speaker JBL audio system and an optional rear-seat entertainment system with an 11.6-inch display. The Platinum trim offered a 10-inch color head-up display, and Limited and Platinum models could upgrade to a digital rearview mirror.

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 and Emergency Assist were also part of the package, with the latter responding to an inactive driver by slowing the vehicle and activating hazard flashers. The Taos SEL added rain-sensing wipers, road sign recognition, and rear parking sensors with automatic braking. However, the Taos had issues with its reverse automatic braking system, which could be turned off if needed. As a new model, it had not yet been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. The standard Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 suite included adaptive cruise control, Lane Tracing Assist, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and traffic sign recognition. The Sienna also featured 10 airbags, multiple LATCH child-seat connectors, a rear-seat reminder system, tire-pressure monitoring, and an inflator kit. A spare tire was available, mounted in the cargo space wall for safety and convenience.