2022 Volkswagen Taos vs 2023 Toyota Sienna

The way Volkswagen explained it, the 2022 Taos and refreshed Tiguan were bookends within the compact SUV segment. While the Taos competed at the lower end, the Tiguan was positioned at the higher end. The 2022 Volkswagen Taos came in S, SE, or SEL trims with one available engine and a choice between front-wheel drive and 4Motion all-wheel drive. Prices ranged from $22,995 for the Taos S FWD to $33,045 for the Taos SEL 4Motion. The SUV sported handsome 19-inch machined-finish aluminum wheels and a vibrant Cornflower Blue paint that added significant presence. However, the use of hard, shiny, and sometimes hollow-sounding plastic within the cabin was a drawback, though the SEL trim improved the interior with soft surfaces and two-tone perforated leather with contrast stitching.

For shoppers, the minivan aesthetic of the 2023 Toyota Sienna might have been a hard sell, evoking memories of childhood road trips. However, Toyota attempted to shed the minivan style with front-end styling that resembled a Japanese bullet train. Most trims featured 18-inch wheels, but the FWD iterations of the XSE and Platinum trims boasted 20-inch wheels. Inside, higher trims like the Platinum offered high-quality brown leather upholstery and wood-grain accents. The Sienna came with an array of trim levels, from the base LE to the top-shelf Platinum. Practical design choices like LED fog lights, power-sliding doors, and a power liftgate made the XLE trim appealing for value-conscious buyers.

Every 2022 Volkswagen Taos housed 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. Despite its robust torque, delayed throttle response marred its performance. The seven-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) paired with the 4Motion AWD system offered rousing performance but was often erratic and harsh in its shifts. While the eight-speed automatic transmission offered smoother driving, it lacked AWD. In Sport mode, the Taos SEL 4Motion improved but couldn't fully mask the herky-jerky powertrain nature. Ultimately, though possessing commendable road feel and taut handling, the Taos's 6.6 inches of ground clearance limited its off-road capability. Fuel economy, rated at 28 mpg combined by the EPA, was decent, with an observed average of 27.1 mpg during testing.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna dropped the traditional gasoline engine in favor of a hybrid powertrain, combining a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with electric motors to produce 245 net system horsepower. Compared to competitors, the Sienna's acceleration was lackluster, and the CVT emitted an undesirable drone. However, the Sienna impressed with its nimble chassis and light steering, making it easy to maneuver despite its size. Various drive modes like EV, Normal, Eco, and Sport were available, though EV mode was hard to rely on completely for electric-only driving. Despite some powertrain shortcomings, the Sienna's chassis made it genuinely fun to drive.

Volkswagen classified the Taos as a compact SUV to highlight its roomy cabin. Both front seats in the SEL trim offered plenty of seat-track travel and height adjustment. The rear seat was also spacious, with generous legroom and a comfortable cushion. Cargo space slightly differed between drive configurations: the FWD model offered 27.9 cubic feet behind the back seat and 65.9 cubic feet with the back seat folded down, while the 4Motion AWD version provided 24.9 and 60.2 cubic feet, respectively. Additionally, a center pass-through in the rear seat made it suitable for ski trips for four people.

Plenty of interior storage solutions made the Toyota Sienna ideal for families. With a large cubby below the center console, a long shelf across the dashboard, and numerous cupholders, the Sienna had no shortage of space for personal items. Measuring over 200 inches in length with a wheelbase of 120.5 inches, the Sienna delivered 33.5 cubic feet of space behind the third row and 75.2 cubic feet with the third row folded down. Total cargo space reached 101 cubic feet. However, the second-row seats couldn't be fully removed or folded into the floor, potentially limiting maximum cargo flexibility. Despite this, the middle-row captain's chairs provided exceptional comfort and adjustability.

Volkswagen equipped every 2022 Taos with its Digital Cockpit instrumentation and a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen with the S trim. SE and SEL trims came with an 8-inch touchscreen running the "MIB3" software, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Unfortunately, the voice-recognition technology in the pre-production test vehicle was problematic, and the infotainment system interface required unnecessary steps to perform basic tasks. Additionally, the transition to BeatsAudio components from Fender sound systems was considered a downgrade.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Sienna utilized an older infotainment interface, featuring core functionalities like SiriusXM, Bluetooth, standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a navigation system. Despite the dated interface, physical buttons were appreciated for their ease of use. However, both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay required wired connections, and accessing these features involved navigating through the menu extensively. Nonetheless, the 9-inch touchscreen blended well within the interior, and the optional 12-speaker JBL audio system delivered good sound quality.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos democratized its IQ Drive safety technologies, making them standard or available across all trims. For the Taos S, the $995 IQ Drive option package included forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The SEL trim added Travel Assist Level 2, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance for short hands-free driving periods. Emergency Assist was also available, which slowed the vehicle to a stop if the driver became inactive. Overall, the Taos did not disappoint in safety technology, despite being untested by the NHTSA and IIHS when reviewed.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna came standard with a suite of advanced driver assistance systems, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning with steering assist, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. Such comprehensive safety features were particularly crucial in a family-oriented vehicle. The Sienna received a 5-star rating from the NHTSA, and the 2022 model, mechanically identical to the 2023, earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS.