Volkswagen Taos vs Lexus TX

The 2023 Volkswagen Taos was designed to appeal to a broad audience, offering affordability and practicality while maximizing passenger comfort. Despite its higher base price compared to the Jetta, the Taos quickly became a popular choice in the U.S., outselling the Jetta by a significant margin. The Taos SEL, with its bold 19-inch alloy wheels and Cornflower Blue paint, presented a stylish and sporty appearance that helped justify its higher price tag. Inside, the Taos SEL offered a premium feel with light gray accents, gloss black trim, and leather seats, making it comparable to a more affordable Audi. The spacious interior, nearly as roomy as the larger Tiguan, made it one of the largest small crossover SUVs available.

The 2024 Lexus TX, based on the Toyota Grand Highlander, distinguished itself as a luxury SUV with its upscale appearance and toned-down styling. The TX 350 Luxury trim, with its 22-inch wheels and premium interior features, provided a comfortable and luxurious experience. Despite its conservative design, the TX offered a compelling alternative for those who found previous Lexus models too bold. The TX 350, equipped with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, provided adequate performance for typical driving situations. The interior, though dark, was luxurious enough to bear the Lexus badge, and the third-row seat was notably more accommodating than previous Lexus models.

The 2023 Volkswagen Taos was powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission for FWD models and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic for AWD models. The Taos offered up to five driving modes and additional settings for the 4Motion AWD system. However, the powertrain response was unpredictable, with occasional surges of torque and delays in response. Despite its sporty character, the Taos struggled with its lack of power, especially when compared to competitors like the Mazda CX-30 and Hyundai Kona N. The Taos SEL averaged 26.8 mpg during testing, slightly below the EPA rating of 28 mpg.

The 2024 Lexus TX 350 featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. Lexus claimed the TX 350 could accelerate to 60 mph in eight seconds, though it felt quicker due to its torque delivery. The TX 350 FWD had an EPA rating of 23 mpg in combined driving, but during testing, it averaged 20.4 mpg. The AWD option, costing an additional $1,600, provided better traction and slightly quicker acceleration. The TX 350's suspension offered a balance between firmness and comfort, with commendable body motion control and accurate steering. The interior remained quiet at highway speeds, though the brake pedal felt too soft in the pre-production test vehicle.

The 2023 Volkswagen Taos offered a range of interior features depending on the trim level. The SEL trim included real leather seats, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The Taos provided ample interior space, feeling larger than most competitors. The rear seats offered generous legroom and comfort, with a panoramic sunroof enhancing the experience. Cargo space was also impressive, with 27.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 65.9 cubic feet with the seats folded down. However, the 4Motion version had slightly reduced cargo capacity.

The 2024 Lexus TX addressed previous shortcomings in Lexus's three-row SUVs. The TX 350 Luxury trim featured premium semi-aniline leather and artificial suede upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The second-row seats offered triple-zone climate control and manual side window shades. The third-row seat was notably more accommodating, with enough space for adults. Cargo space measured 20.2 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 57.4 cubic feet with the third row folded and 97 cubic feet with the second row down. The TX provided numerous storage options, though some lacked lining, potentially causing noise and vibration.

The 2023 Volkswagen Taos came equipped with standard digital instrumentation, with the SEL trim featuring a 10.25-inch display. The infotainment system varied by trim, with the SEL offering an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and an eight-speaker Beats Audio system. However, the user experience was marred by hidden controls, a complicated radio tuning process, and ineffective voice-recognition technology. The navigation system also had limitations, requiring a Wi-Fi subscription for full functionality.

The 2024 Lexus TX, equipped with the optional Technology Package, featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel, a head-up display, and a surround-view camera. However, the unmarked steering wheel controls and head-up display visibility issues detracted from the experience. The Lexus Interface infotainment system, with its 14-inch touchscreen, offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a digital assistant and cloud-based navigation. The TX also provided free subscriptions to various connected services, enhancing its technological appeal. The optional 21-speaker Mark Levinson PurePlay surround-sound system delivered impressive audio quality.

The 2023 Volkswagen Taos improved its standard safety features, with the Taos S including Front Assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The SE trim added VW's IQ.Drive collection of ADAS, including Lane Assist, Travel Assist, and Emergency Assist. The Taos also featured a post-collision automatic braking system and automatic high-beam headlights. Travel Assist performed well during testing, providing smooth and accurate assistance. However, crash-test ratings from NHTSA and IIHS were decent but not perfect.

The 2024 Lexus TX was equipped with the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Proactive Drive Assist, part of LSS+ 3.0, provided braking and steering assistance, though it was not entirely transparent. The TX also featured blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a safe exit assist system. Optional features included parking sensors, front cross-traffic alert, and traffic jam assist. LSS+ 3.0 proved effective, though the TX slowed too dramatically when other vehicles cut in, causing frustration for following drivers.