2022 Volkswagen Taos vs 2023 Acura MDX

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos was positioned as a compact SUV with a roomy interior, fitting neatly between subcompact and compact segments. 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.

In contrast, the 2023 Acura MDX Type S Advance trim, priced at $74,995, aimed for a higher level of luxury and performance. The fourth-generation MDX featured subtle styling cues, 21-inch wheels, and quad exhaust outlets. Inside, it boasted perforated Milano leather, aluminum trim, and a Sport Appearance package. The Type S Advance added open-pore wood and a leather-wrapped dashboard. However, some design choices, like the gloss black plastic on the dashboard, made it challenging to use certain controls. The MDX's interior was comfortable but didn't fully meet the performance-oriented expectations set by its price.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos featured 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 driving but was only available with front-wheel drive. The Taos SEL 4Motion, with its Sport mode and P225/45R19 Pirelli Scorpion all-season tires, provided a confident driving experience. However, its 6.6 inches of ground clearance limited its off-road capabilities. The EPA rated the Taos SEL 4Motion at 28 mpg in combined driving, but real-world testing showed an average of 27.1 mpg.

The 2023 Acura MDX Type S stood out with its turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, delivering 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD), the MDX Type S offered impressive acceleration and cornering capabilities. The Integrated Dynamics System provided various driving modes, including an exclusive Lift mode for increased ground clearance. However, the performance upgrades didn't fully harmonize, resulting in an inconsistent driving experience. The MDX Type S averaged 16.9 mpg during testing, falling short of the EPA's 19 mpg rating. The transmission's indecisiveness and the brake system's on/off response further detracted from the driving experience.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos offered a spacious interior, with deeply bolstered front seats and generous rear legroom. The SEL 4Motion trim included heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. Cargo space varied depending on the drive system, with front-wheel-drive models offering 27.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 65.9 cubic feet with the seats folded. The 4Motion models had slightly less cargo space, at 24.9 and 60.2 cubic feet, respectively. The Taos also featured a center pass-through for ski trips.

The 2023 Acura MDX provided three rows of seats, with the second row offering a removable center section for easier access to the third row. The Type S Advance trim included 16-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage functions. However, the seats didn't hold occupants as securely as expected. The second-row seats were comfortable and supportive, with heating for the outboard positions. The third row was best suited for children. The MDX's cargo area offered 18.1 cubic feet behind the third row, 39.1 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 71.4 cubic feet with both rear rows folded. The Type S Advance also featured a hands-free liftgate with a Walk Away Close function.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos came with Digital Cockpit instrumentation and a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with SE and SEL trims upgrading to an 8-inch display. The SE and SEL trims also included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and wireless smartphone charging. However, the MIB3 infotainment system's voice recognition and user experience were subpar, with complex menu navigation and slow response times. The SEL trim featured an eight-speaker BeatsAudio premium sound system, which was a step down from the previous Fender systems.

The 2023 Acura MDX featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch infotainment display, operated via a True Touchpad Interface (TTI). The TTI design, while innovative, was less intuitive than a traditional touchscreen and took up valuable center console space. The MDX included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa Built-In, along with SiriusXM satellite radio and AcuraLink connected services. The Advance package added a 10.5-inch head-up display, but the traffic sign recognition system occasionally misread signs. The top-tier ELS Studio 3D audio system with 25 speakers provided excellent sound quality.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos offered IQ Drive safety technologies, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The SEL trim included these features as standard, along with Travel Assist and Emergency Assist. Travel Assist combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance, while Emergency Assist responded to inactive drivers by slowing the vehicle and activating hazard flashers. The Taos also featured rear parking sensors with automatic braking, although this system could be overly sensitive.

The 2023 Acura MDX came with Acura Watch, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, adaptive cruise control, and Traffic Jam Assist. The MDX also featured blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and, in certain trims, front and rear parking sensors, low-speed automatic braking, and a surround-view camera system. The MDX received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, although it earned four stars for frontal-impact protection.