2022 Volkswagen Taos vs 2023 Lexus GX

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 a single engine option and a choice between front-wheel drive and 4Motion all-wheel drive. Prices ranged from $22,995 to $33,045, plus a $1,195 destination charge. The Taos featured a stylish exterior with 19-inch machined-finish aluminum wheels and Cornflower Blue paint, but its interior was criticized for hard, shiny plastics, despite some soft-touch surfaces in key areas.

In contrast, the 2023 Lexus GX boasted a commanding presence with its massive spindle grille, 8.1 inches of ground clearance, and a height of 74.2 inches. The GX Black Line Special Edition returned with limited availability and exclusive paint colors. Despite its luxury badge, the GX's interior was marred by an abundance of plastic materials, a consequence of its low sales volume and cost-saving measures. However, it did offer luxury touches like heated and cooled front seats and impressive leather upholstery.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos featured a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. While the engine provided adequate power, it suffered from turbo lag and sudden torque delivery. The seven-speed dual-clutch transmission paired with the 4Motion AWD system offered spirited performance but was marred by erratic shifting. The standard eight-speed automatic transmission, available only with front-wheel drive, provided smoother driving but lacked the sophistication of the AWD system. The Taos SEL 4Motion in Sport mode delivered a confident driving experience, but its 6.6 inches of ground clearance limited its off-road capabilities. The EPA estimated fuel economy at 28 mpg combined, with real-world testing averaging 27.1 mpg.

The 2023 Lexus GX was defined by its 4.6-liter V8 engine, producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque. While not the most powerful on paper, the V8 delivered a satisfying linear power delivery and a distinctive sound. The GX's six-speed automatic transmission and 6,500-pound towing capacity made it capable, but its fuel economy was a drawback, with EPA estimates of 15 mpg city, 19 highway, and 16 combined. The GX's weight contributed to predictable but noticeable body roll in corners. Its Torsen limited-slip differential and advanced off-road features, including a two-speed transfer case and Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System, made it a formidable off-road vehicle.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos impressed with its spacious interior, offering ample legroom and headroom for both front and rear passengers. The SEL trim featured heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat. Rear passengers enjoyed generous legroom and air conditioning vents. 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 due to the independent rear suspension, with 24.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 60.2 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2023 Lexus GX provided ample cubby space for small items, with a deep center console bin and convenient cupholders. The decision to stick with hard buttons for controls was appreciated, though the abundance of buttons required some acclimation. The center console lid's sliding mechanism allowed for adjustable armrests. The second row offered good legroom and headroom, with captain's chairs or a three-across bench seat option. However, the third row was cramped and best suited for occasional use. The GX's cargo space was limited, with 11.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 46.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 64.7 cubic feet with both rows folded.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos came equipped 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 more advanced 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 infotainment system's user experience was criticized for its complexity and slow response times.

The 2023 Lexus GX received a 10.3-inch touchscreen for the 2022 model year, which was a significant improvement over the previous system. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration. The Lexus Remote Touch Interface was still present but rendered unnecessary by the improved touchscreen. The GX also came with three years of Lexus Enform Remote and a 17-speaker Mark Levinson premium stereo. However, the infotainment system's graphics and responsiveness lagged behind newer Lexus models. The GX excelled in off-road technology, with a real 4WD system, downhill assist, hill-start assist, traction control, stability control, and the Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos offered IQ Drive safety technologies as standard or optional on 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, a Level 2 advanced driving assistance system, combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance. Emergency Assist responded to an inactive driver by slowing the vehicle and bringing it to a safe stop. The Taos SEL included additional features like rain-sensing wipers, road sign recognition, and rear parking sensors with automatic braking. However, the Taos had not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS at the time of review.

The 2023 Lexus GX had not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS either. Despite its older design, the GX included advanced driver assistance systems such as automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert, adaptive cruise control, parking assist, and automatic high beams. While it lacked some top-end features like lane-tracing assist and road-sign recognition, the GX's safety features were commendable for a vehicle originally engineered for the 2010 model year.