2022 Volkswagen Taos vs 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos was positioned as a compact SUV that bridged the gap between subcompact and compact crossovers. Competing with models like the Kia Seltos, Jeep Compass, and Subaru Crosstrek, the Taos offered a range of trims—S, SE, and SEL—with prices starting at $22,995 and going up to $33,045. The Taos featured a choice between front-wheel drive and 4Motion all-wheel drive, with the latter including 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 on the SEL 4Motion. Inside, the Taos had a mix of hard plastics and soft surfaces, with the SEL trim offering two-tone perforated leather and contrast stitching.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L extended the classic Grand Cherokee design by more than a foot, maintaining its tough yet upscale look. The Hydro Blue model with the High Altitude package featured blacked-out elements, dark gray 21-inch wheels, and black leather with gold stitching. The interior of upper trims was luxurious, with polished black dash, metal gear selector, and diamond-patterned stitching. Despite some hard plastics, the overall feel was justified for a $70,000 SUV. The Grand Cherokee L's design included modern elements like slim LED lighting and integrated exhaust tips, making it look both timeless and contemporary.

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 in Sport mode provided a more engaging driving experience, but the SUV's 6.6-inch ground clearance limited its off-road capabilities. The EPA rated the Taos SEL 4Motion at 28 mpg in combined driving, with real-world testing averaging 27.1 mpg.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L's standard 3.6-liter V6 engine produced 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, but it was criticized for its lackluster performance. The optional 5.7-liter Hemi V8, with 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, was recommended for better towing capacity and overall performance. The V8 allowed for a maximum towing capacity of 7,200 pounds, compared to 6,200 pounds with the V6. The Grand Cherokee L's chassis provided confident handling, especially with the air suspension, which offered five height settings and up to 10.9 inches of ground clearance. Fuel economy for the V6 was rated at 21 mpg combined, while the V8 was rated at 17 mpg combined.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos boasted an impressively roomy cabin for its class. The SEL trim featured deeply bolstered front seats with eight-way power adjustment and power lumbar support, along with heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The rear seat offered generous legroom and rear air conditioning vents. Cargo space varied depending on the drive system, with front-wheel-drive models offering 27.9 cubic feet behind the back seat and 65.9 cubic feet with the seats folded. The 4Motion models had slightly less cargo space, at 24.9 cubic feet and 60.2 cubic feet, respectively.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L's extended length provided ample legroom for second-row passengers, with standard captain's chairs and an optional 60/40 bench seat. The third row was best suited for children. The Summit and Summit Reserve trims offered additional features like a center console, four-zone climate control, and heated and ventilated rear seats. Cargo space was generous, with 17 cubic feet behind the third row, 47 cubic feet behind the second row, and 85 cubic feet with both rows folded, making it one of the largest in its class.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos came with Digital Cockpit instrumentation and a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system on the S trim. The SE and SEL trims featured an 8-inch touchscreen with MIB3 software, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and wireless smartphone charging. The SEL trim added a navigation system and an eight-speaker BeatsAudio premium sound system. However, the voice-recognition technology and user experience were not as seamless as expected, with complex menu navigation and slow system response.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen on the Laredo and Altitude trims, while the Limited, Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve trims had a 10.1-inch touchscreen with navigation. All systems ran Uconnect 5, which was generally quick and easy to use. The McIntosh sound system with 19 speakers was available on upper trims, though it lacked surround imaging from the rear speakers. The Grand Cherokee L also offered advanced features like night vision, Active Driving Assist, a head-up display, and a passenger screen that could control navigation and activate cameras.

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 IQ Drive package also included Travel Assist and Emergency Assist, 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 of the review's publication, the Taos had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS for models built after May 2023 and received five stars in NHTSA tests, except for a four-star rating in rollover tests. Standard safety features included driver and passenger front knee airbags, forward emergency braking, rear emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features on higher trims included front cross-traffic braking, a backup camera washer, 360-degree cameras, and night vision. The Active Driving Assist was standard only on the Summit Reserve trim.