2022 Volkswagen Taos vs 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos was positioned as a compact SUV with a spacious interior, fitting neatly between subcompact and compact segments. 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 on the SEL 4Motion. However, the interior was criticized for its hard, shiny plastics, though the SEL trim did offer two-tone perforated leather and upscale materials.

In contrast, the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE received a subtle exterior makeover, with changes to the headlights and taillights, and the addition of Mercedes star logos on the grille. The GLE 450e test vehicle featured Twilight Blue metallic paint and 21-inch AMG multi-spoke alloy wheels, which added a touch of elegance. The interior of the GLE 450e was luxurious, with Macchiato beige and black leather upholstery, natural grain brown walnut trim, and a host of comfort features. The GLE offered a choice of 10 interior colors and five trims, making it one of the most customizable and high-quality cabins in its segment.

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 torque delivery was somewhat delayed, leading to a sudden surge of power. The 4Motion AWD system paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission offered spirited performance but suffered from erratic shifting. The standard eight-speed automatic transmission provided smoother driving but was only available with front-wheel drive. The Taos SEL 4Motion in Sport mode offered a more engaging driving experience, with responsive steering, effective brakes, and commendable grip. However, its ground clearance of 6.6 inches limited its off-road capabilities. The Taos SEL 4Motion achieved an EPA-rated 28 mpg in combined driving, with real-world testing averaging 27.1 mpg.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered a range of powertrains, from turbocharged four- and six-cylinders to a twin-turbo V8 producing 603 horsepower in the AMG GLE 63 S. The GLE 450e featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and an electric motor, delivering a combined 381 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. The GLE 450e accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds and offered an estimated electric-only range of 40 miles. The transition between gas and electric power was seamless, and the nine-speed automatic transmission provided smooth gear changes. The GLE 450e's suspension absorbed road imperfections effortlessly, and its sophisticated steering made it easy to maneuver despite its size. The GLE 450e's performance exceeded expectations, offering a quiet and comfortable ride.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos boasted a spacious interior, with ample legroom and headroom in both the front and rear seats. 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 rear 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, with 24.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 60.2 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Taos also featured a center pass-through for carrying long items like skis.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE provided a roomy and comfortable cabin, with seating for five and an optional third row for the GLE 350 and GLE 450. The GLE 450e's interior featured power-adjustable heated front seats with memory function, dual-zone climate control, and a power tilt/sliding sunroof. The cargo space behind the second row was 33 cubic feet, comparable to rivals like the BMW X5 but less than the Cadillac XT6 and Volvo XC90. The GLE 450e's interior was equipped with numerous comfort features, including ventilated front seats, a Burmester surround-sound audio system, and massaging front seats. The Pinnacle trim added even more luxury touches, such as heated and cooled front cupholders and a cabin-air fragrance and purification system.

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 MIB3 infotainment system had some usability issues, including a complex process for changing radio stations and unreliable voice recognition technology.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE featured the Mercedes Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system, with two 12.3-inch screens serving as the digital instrument panel and main infotainment screen. The system could be controlled via touch commands, a control pad on the center console, or touch-sensitive buttons on the steering wheel. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with an improved "Hey Mercedes" voice command system. The GLE 450e also featured a head-up display and augmented reality navigation, which provided clear and convenient directions. However, the touch-sensitive controls on the steering wheel could be overly sensitive, leading to accidental volume changes.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos offered the IQ Drive safety package, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The package also included Travel Assist, a Level 2 advanced driving assistance system, and Emergency Assist, which could bring the vehicle to a safe stop if the driver became unresponsive. The Taos SEL included these features as standard, along with rain-sensing wipers, road sign recognition, and rear parking sensors with automatic braking. However, the reverse automatic braking system could be overly sensitive, causing the vehicle to brake unexpectedly.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE came with a comprehensive lineup of active safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, pedestrian detection, hands-free park assist, rain-sensing wipers, automatic high-beam headlights, and a driver attention monitor. The optional Driver Assistance package added active blind-spot assist, active lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, and evasive steering assist. These features were unobtrusive during everyday driving and provided an extra layer of safety.