2022 Volkswagen Taos vs 2023 Genesis GV70

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 was available in three trims: Trendline, Comfortline, and Highline, with a single engine option. The Taos offered a choice between front-wheel drive and 4Motion all-wheel drive on the base model. Its exterior styling was consistent with Volkswagen's design language, featuring roof rails, dark grey plastic cladding, and simulated skid plates. However, the interior was criticized for its use of hard plastics, though it did offer soft-touch surfaces in key areas. The Highline trim added upscale touches like two-tone perforated leather and contrast stitching.

The 2023 Genesis GV70, on the other hand, was a luxury compact SUV that shared design elements with the G70 sedan, particularly above the beltline. Its interior was lauded for its high-quality materials and excellent fit and finish, combining contemporary and classic aesthetics. The GV70's cabin featured a full touchscreen backed by a rotary dial and button controls, offering a user-friendly experience. The vehicle was available with two powertrains: a 2.5T turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a 3.5T twin-turbo V6, both paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The GV70's design and luxury credentials were further enhanced by features like a panoramic sunroof, Nappa leather seating, and a Lexicon premium audio system.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos was powered by a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 158 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. While the engine provided adequate power, the turbocharger's delayed response and the dual-clutch transmission's erratic shifting could be frustrating for some drivers. The Taos offered a smooth and compliant ride, with responsive steering and commendable handling. However, its ground clearance was limited, making it less suitable for off-road adventures compared to some competitors. Fuel efficiency was rated at 8.5 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, though real-world testing showed a slightly higher consumption of 8.7 L/100 km.

In contrast, the 2023 Genesis GV70 offered a choice between a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 300 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, and a twin-turbo 3.5-litre V6 engine with 375 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque. The GV70's performance was characterized by a refined and well-rounded driving experience, blending comfort and sharp handling. The Electrified GV70 featured dual electric motors producing 429 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque, with a Boost Mode increasing output to 483 horsepower for short bursts. The electric version offered a range of 383 kilometres and could be charged quickly using DC fast charging.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos boasted a spacious interior, with ample legroom and headroom for both front and rear passengers. The Highline trim offered heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and power-adjustable seats with lumbar support. Cargo space varied depending on the drive system, with the front-wheel-drive model offering 790 litres behind the rear seats and 1,866 litres with the seats folded. The 4Motion model had slightly less cargo space due to its independent rear suspension, with 705 litres and 1,705 litres, respectively.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 provided 818 litres of cargo space with the rear seats in use and 1,611 litres with the seats folded, which was competitive for the segment. The GV70 featured a hands-free power liftgate and a well-designed interior with ample storage options. While the front seats were comfortable and easy to adjust, rear-seat legroom was tighter, requiring front-seat occupants to slide their seats forward for more space. The rear bench could recline for added comfort.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos came equipped with a Digital Cockpit instrument cluster and a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system on the Trendline trim. The Comfortline and Highline trims featured an 8-inch touchscreen with more advanced MIB3 software, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and wireless smartphone charging. However, the infotainment system's user experience was criticized for its complexity and slow response times. The Highline trim added a navigation system and an eight-speaker BeatsAudio premium sound system.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 featured a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The system was praised for its ease of use, with large icons and logical menu navigation. The GV70 also included four USB ports, wireless device charging, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a nine-speaker stereo system. Available features included ambient lighting, a digital instrument panel, a Lexicon 18-speaker audio system, and the Genesis digital key.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos offered a range of safety and driver assistance features, but many were only available on higher trims or as part of optional packages. The Comfortline trim included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Highline trim added automatic high beams, rain-sensing wipers, and rear parking sensors. Advanced features like lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and Travel Assist required an extra-cost package. The Taos had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS at the time of review.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 came standard with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and highway driving assist. The 2.5T Advance Plus trim added a blind-spot camera system and a 360-degree parking camera system, while reverse automatic emergency braking was available on the Prestige grade. The Electrified GV70 included most of these features as standard. The GV70 received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.