Volkswagen Taos vs Toyota bZ

The 2023 Volkswagen Taos was a compact SUV designed to appeal to a broad audience with its stylish appearance and practical utility. 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 trim, with its Cornflower Blue paint and 19-inch alloy wheels, offered a premium look that resembled a more affordable Audi. Inside, the Taos SEL featured a well-appointed interior with leather seats, metallic detailing, and ample space, making it one of the roomiest small crossover SUVs available.

In contrast, the 2026 Toyota bZ presented a more modern and refined design, with improvements over its predecessor, the bZ4X. The bZ was available in XLE and Limited trims, with options for single-motor FWD or dual-motor AWD configurations. The interior boasted a cleaner dashboard and center console, with a 14-inch touchscreen integrated with climate controls. The bZ's fabric seats featured an upscale pattern, and the vehicle offered a comfortable and quiet ride. However, the digital driver display's placement and information density were points of contention.

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 FWD models came with an eight-speed automatic transmission, while the AWD versions, like the SEL, featured a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. Despite its sporty appearance, the Taos struggled with power delivery, often exhibiting unpredictable powertrain responses. On a test drive through the Santa Monica Mountains, the Taos averaged 26.8 mpg, slightly below its EPA rating. While the Taos offered a Germanic driving character with firm handling and good visibility, its lack of power was a notable drawback.

The 2026 Toyota bZ, on the other hand, offered a range of powertrain options. The XLE FWD model with a 57.7-kWh battery delivered 165 horsepower and 198 pound-feet of torque, with an EPA-estimated range of 236 miles. Upgrading to the larger 74.7-kWh battery increased power to 224 hp and extended the range to 314 miles. The dual-motor AWD models produced 338 hp and offered a range of up to 288 miles. The bZ's regenerative braking system and instant torque made it an agreeable urban vehicle, though its FWD configuration struggled with traction in certain situations. The bZ excelled in efficiency tests, outperforming its EPA estimates.

The 2023 Volkswagen Taos offered a spacious interior with various trim options. The SEL trim featured real leather seats, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The Taos provided ample rear-seat space, with air conditioning vents and a panoramic sunroof enhancing passenger comfort. Cargo space was generous, with up to 65.9 cubic feet available with the rear seats folded down.

The 2026 Toyota bZ, built on an EV platform, offered easy entry and exit with its 8.1 inches of ground clearance. Both XLE and Limited trims featured eight-way power-adjustable front seats, with heated and ventilated options. The bZ lacked a traditional glove compartment but compensated with ample storage solutions. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed good legroom, though foot space was limited. The bZ offered 27.7 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 56.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2023 Volkswagen Taos came equipped with 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 smartphone integration, and an eight-speaker Beats Audio system. However, the user experience was marred by hidden controls and a lack of intuitive navigation.

The 2026 Toyota bZ featured a 7-inch digital driver display and a new 14-inch touchscreen infotainment system. While the driver display's placement was problematic, the infotainment system was generally user-friendly. It supported wireless smartphone integration and offered several connected service plans. The Intelligent Assistant voice recognition system performed well, enhancing the overall tech experience.

The 2023 Volkswagen Taos improved its safety features with standard Front Assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The SE trim added the IQ.Drive suite, including adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. The Taos received decent crash-test ratings but fell short of perfection.

The 2026 Toyota bZ came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, offering a comprehensive suite of safety features. The Limited trim added advanced features like Traffic Jam Assist and Advanced Park Assist. While the bZ's adaptive cruise control was inconsistent, its safety tech generally performed well. However, the bZ's IIHS ratings were mixed, with room for improvement.