2022 Volkswagen Taos vs 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos was positioned as a compact SUV with a spacious interior, fitting neatly into Volkswagen's lineup between the subcompact and compact segments. It competed with models like the Kia Seltos, Jeep Compass, and Subaru Crosstrek. The Taos was available in Trendline, Comfortline, and Highline trims, with a single engine option and a choice between front-wheel drive and 4Motion all-wheel drive on the base model. The exterior styling was consistent with Volkswagen's design language, featuring roof rails, dark grey plastic cladding, and skid plates. However, the interior was criticized for its hard plastic surfaces, though it offered soft-touch materials in key areas and a well-appointed cabin in the Highline trim.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe maintained the iconic Wrangler design, with only subtle differences like blue decals and a charging port to distinguish it as a plug-in hybrid. The interior quality was consistent across the lineup, with leather-faced seats in the Sahara grades and cloth seats in the Rubicon. The Wrangler 4xe's interior featured a mix of leather and black plastic, with a distinctive grab handle for the front passenger. Despite being a plug-in hybrid, the Wrangler 4xe retained its off-road capabilities, including removable doors, a spare tire, and a seven-slot grille, making it unmistakably a Wrangler.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos was powered by a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. The engine's torque delivery was delayed due to turbo lag, and the seven-speed DSG dual-clutch transmission exhibited erratic shifting. The standard 8-speed automatic transmission offered smoother performance but was only available with front-wheel drive. The Taos Highline 4Motion, with its independent rear suspension and Sport mode, provided a more engaging driving experience. However, its ground clearance was limited compared to competitors, and its fuel efficiency was rated at 8.5 L/100 km in combined driving.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe combined a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with electric motors, delivering a total system output of 375 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque. The Wrangler 4xe featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and retained its off-road prowess with a Selec-trac or Rock-trac transfer case, solid axles, and impressive ground clearance. The plug-in hybrid system offered an electric-only range of 35 kilometres, with hybrid, electric, and e-save modes for battery management. The Wrangler 4xe's electric motors provided a burst of energy from a stop, but it remained a Wrangler in terms of handling and noise levels.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos boasted a spacious interior, with ample front and rear seat space. The Highline trim offered power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated front seats, along with a heated steering wheel. Cargo space varied depending on the drive system, with the front-wheel-drive model offering more volume than the 4Motion version. The Taos also featured a centre pass-through for ski trips.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe was designed to accommodate its battery pack without sacrificing second-row space. Headroom and legroom were only slightly compromised compared to gas-only models. Cargo capacity was reduced compared to other Wranglers, but the Wrangler 4xe remained manageable in urban settings. The Rubicon test unit featured an optional power-retracting roof, enhancing the open-air experience. The Wrangler 4xe retained its unique Jeep quirks, such as centre stack window controls.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos came with a Digital Cockpit instrument cluster and a 6.5-inch or 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, depending on the trim. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with wireless functionality and additional features available on higher trims. However, the MIB3 infotainment system had usability issues, and the transition from Fender to BeatsAudio components was not well-received.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe featured Uconnect 4C with navigation on an 8.4-inch touchscreen, with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard. Uconnect was praised for its intuitive interface, with hard buttons and dials for essential functions. The Wrangler 4xe included off-road and Hybrid Electric Pages, but lacked some modern tech features like a fully digital instrument cluster and wireless phone charging.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos offered a range of safety features, but many were only available on higher trims or as part of extra-cost packages. Travel Assist and Emergency Assist were notable features, but the reverse automatic braking system was overly sensitive in certain situations. The Taos had not been crash-tested by major safety organizations at the time of review.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe shared its safety ratings with other Wrangler models, receiving mixed results in crash tests. It had a Marginal rating for the driver’s side small overlap front test and rear passenger head protection. Safety features were limited, with some available only as part of optional packages. The Wrangler 4xe had one recall for a clutch pressure plate issue.