2022 Volkswagen Taos vs 2021 Lexus GX

The 2021 Lexus GX retained its rugged and aggressive exterior styling, a testament to its decade-long presence in the market. Despite its age, the GX's design remained coherent, with the spindle grille and triple-beam LED headlights adding a modern touch. However, the interior did not match the luxury standards expected from a modern SUV, with wood trim that felt like plastic and an abundance of actual plastic materials. The semi-aniline leather was a standard feature, but the overall interior experience felt dated.

In contrast, the 2022 Volkswagen Taos presented a fresh and vibrant exterior, fitting seamlessly into the existing VW lineup. The Highline 4Motion model, with its 19-inch machined-finish aluminum alloy wheels and Cornflower Blue paint, exuded a lively personality. However, the interior was dominated by hard, shiny plastics, reminiscent of children's toys, though VW did provide soft surfaces where necessary. The Highline trim offered two-tone perforated leather with contrast stitching, adding a touch of sophistication to the cabin.

The 2021 Lexus GX was powered by a 4.6-litre V8 engine, delivering 301 horsepower and 329 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. While the V8 provided ample power for initial acceleration, the GX's hefty weight of 2,349 kilograms made high-speed maneuvers challenging. The SUV's body-on-frame construction resulted in a less refined ride quality, with noticeable body roll and low grip in corners. However, the GX excelled in off-road capabilities, featuring a Torsen centre differential, a standard 4WD system with a low range, and various off-road drive modes. It boasted a towing capacity of 2,948 kilograms and respectable ground clearance, though it was outperformed by the Land Rover Discovery in some off-road metrics.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos featured a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 158 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. The engine's robust torque allowed for confident driving, but the turbocharger's lag and the dual-clutch transmission's erratic shifting could be frustrating. The standard 8-speed automatic transmission offered smoother performance but was limited to front-wheel drive. The Taos Highline 4Motion, with its independent rear suspension and Sport mode, provided an engaging driving experience, though its ground clearance was less impressive compared to competitors like the Jeep Compass and Subaru Crosstrek. Fuel efficiency was commendable, with an average of 8.7 L/100 km during testing.

The 2021 Lexus GX's interior design reflected its age, with an upright dashboard and high centre console limiting legroom. The steering wheel's odd angle and tall seating position contributed to a bus-like driving feel. While outward visibility was excellent, forward visibility was hindered by the tall hood. Storage space was limited, with small centre-console bins and cupholders. The GX offered three rows of seating, but the third row was best suited for children and difficult to access. Cargo space was limited, with only 1,833 litres available with the second and third rows folded, significantly less than the Land Rover Discovery.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos boasted a spacious interior, with ample seat-track travel and height adjustment in the front seats. The Highline 4Motion model offered heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. Rear passengers enjoyed generous legroom and air conditioning vents. Cargo space varied depending on the drive system, with the front-wheel-drive model offering more volume due to its torsion-beam rear suspension. The Taos provided 790 litres of cargo space behind the back seat and 1,866 litres with the back seat folded down in the FWD model, while the 4Motion model offered slightly less space.

The 2021 Lexus GX was light on tech features, with a standard Bluetooth system but no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto compatibility. The infotainment system felt outdated, with graphics reminiscent of the 1990s and limited functionality. However, the presence of analog controls for most functions was a welcome departure from the touchscreen-centric interfaces of other luxury SUVs.

In contrast, the 2022 Volkswagen Taos came equipped with a Digital Cockpit instrument cluster and a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Higher trims featured an 8-inch touchscreen with MIB3 software, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a BeatsAudio premium sound system. However, the infotainment system's user experience was less than ideal, with complex menu navigation and voice-recognition issues. The transition from Fender to BeatsAudio components was not seen as a positive development.

The 2021 Lexus GX came with the Lexus Safety System+ bundle, including a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. However, it lacked some advanced safety features found in other Lexus and Toyota models, such as traffic-sign recognition and Lane Tracing Assist. Neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS had published crash-test ratings for the GX.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos required additional spending to access popular safety features. Forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot warning were available on the Comfortline grade and up, while more advanced features like Travel Assist and Emergency Assist were exclusive to the Highline grade with an extra-cost package. Travel Assist combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centring assistance, while Emergency Assist responded to inactive drivers by bringing the SUV to a safe stop. The Taos had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS at the time of review.