2022 Volkswagen Taos vs 2023 Nissan Rogue

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos was positioned as a compact SUV, bridging the gap between subcompact and compact crossovers. It competed with models like the Kia Seltos, Jeep Compass, and Subaru Crosstrek. The Taos came in S, SE, and SEL trims, with prices ranging from $22,995 to $33,045, plus a $1,195 destination charge. The 4Motion AWD system added a dual-clutch automated manual transmission and an independent multilink rear suspension, enhancing its driving dynamics. 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 materials in key areas.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue, a popular compact SUV, featured a rugged yet appealing design. It was available in S, SV, SL, and Platinum trims, with prices from $27,360 to $37,140, plus a $1,295 destination charge. The Platinum trim, with a Premium package, AWD, and various upgrades, pushed the price to $43,100. The Rogue's interior boasted diamond-pattern leather seats, soft-touch materials, and a range of comfort features, though some found the engine's character and the rear seat's comfort lacking. The Rogue's design and features aimed to replace traditional family cars, offering practicality and comfort.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos featured a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 184 pound-feet of torque at 1,750 rpm. The engine's robust torque provided adequate power, 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 limited to front-wheel drive. The Taos SEL 4Motion, with its Sport mode, provided a more engaging driving experience, though turbo lag and harsh shifting remained issues. The Taos had a light, compliant character, responsive steering, and commendable handling, but its 6.6-inch ground clearance limited off-road capability. The EPA rated the Taos SEL 4Motion at 28 mpg combined, with real-world testing averaging 27.1 mpg.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue introduced a new turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine with variable compression, producing 201 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 225 pound-feet of torque from 2,800 to 4,000 rpm. The CVT, with paddle shifters, powered the front wheels or optional AWD. The Rogue's new powertrain offered better performance than the previous 2.5-liter engine, though it lacked highway passing power. The engine's unusual note and vibration might be off-putting to some. The EPA rated the Rogue at 31 mpg combined, but real-world testing averaged 28.9 mpg. The Rogue's suspension provided a good balance of ride compliance and body control, though the steering felt lifeless, and the all-season tires offered modest grip.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos offered a spacious cabin, 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 with the drive system, offering 27.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 65.9 cubic feet with them folded in FWD models, and 24.9 and 60.2 cubic feet, respectively, in AWD models. The Taos also featured a center pass-through for ski trips.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue aimed to replace traditional family cars, offering a roomy interior for four adults and the ability to carry a fifth person. The Platinum trim included a triple-zone automatic climate control system, a dual-panel panoramic sunroof, and premium leather seats. The Rogue's rear doors opened to a nearly 90-degree angle, making it easier to load and unload passengers. Cargo space was generous, with up to 36.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 74.1 cubic feet with them folded. The Rogue also featured Nissan's Divide-N-Hide system for versatile cargo configurations.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos came with Digital Cockpit instrumentation and a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with SE and SEL trims featuring an 8-inch display. All trims included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Car-Net connected services. The SE trim added wireless smartphone integration, SiriusXM, and voice control, while the SEL trim included navigation and an eight-speaker BeatsAudio system. However, the MIB3 infotainment system had usability issues, and the voice recognition technology was unreliable.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue featured an older infotainment system with an 8-inch or 9-inch touchscreen, stereo volume and tuning knobs, and main menu buttons. The test vehicle had the 9-inch display, Bluetooth, satellite radio, wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, NissanConnect services, and a navigation system. It also included a wireless smartphone charging pad and a Bose premium audio system. The voice recognition technology struggled with basic commands, and the Alexa Built-in system was unreliable. The Rogue also had a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a head-up display, both of which worked well.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos offered IQ Drive safety technologies, standard or available 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 and Emergency Assist were also available, providing advanced driving assistance and emergency response features. The Taos SEL included these technologies as standard, along with rain-sensing wipers, road sign recognition, and rear parking sensors with automatic braking. The Taos had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS at the time of review.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue came with 10 airbags, a rear-seat reminder system, and Safety Shield 360, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, rear automatic braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. Higher trims offered ProPilot Assist with Navi-link, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance. The Rogue earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS for 2022, though it received Marginal and Acceptable scores in updated tests. The NHTSA awarded the Rogue a five-star overall rating, with four stars for frontal-impact collisions.