2022 Volkswagen Taos vs 2023 Jeep Wrangler

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos was positioned as a compact SUV with a spacious interior, fitting neatly between the subcompact and compact segments. It came in three trims: S, SE, and SEL, with prices ranging from $22,995 to $33,045. The Taos offered a choice between front-wheel drive and 4Motion all-wheel drive, with the latter featuring a dual-clutch automated manual transmission and an independent multilink rear suspension. The exterior styling was consistent with Volkswagen's lineup, featuring 19-inch machined-finish aluminum wheels and Cornflower Blue paint. However, the interior was criticized for its hard, shiny plastics, though the SEL trim provided two-tone perforated leather and other upscale touches.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler, on the other hand, maintained its iconic rugged design with a boxy shape and removable doors. Available in two-door and four-door Unlimited versions, the Wrangler offered various top options, including a fold-down windshield for open-air driving. The interior was practical, with easy-to-clean materials and a body-colored dash. However, it lacked some modern comforts like ventilated seats and had limited storage space. The Wrangler's design was functional, with features like a swing-out tailgate and a new limited-edition purple paint color called Reign, adding a touch of flair.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos featured a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The engine's torque delivery was somewhat delayed, leading to a sudden surge of power. The 4Motion AWD system paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission offered spirited performance but suffered from erratic shifting. The standard eight-speed automatic transmission provided smoother driving but was only available with front-wheel drive. The Taos SEL 4Motion in Sport mode improved drivability but couldn't completely eliminate the powertrain's quirks. Despite these issues, the Taos delivered a pleasant driving experience with responsive steering, effective brakes, and commendable grip. However, its off-road capabilities were limited by a ground clearance of just 6.6 inches. The Taos SEL 4Motion achieved an EPA-rated 28 mpg in combined driving, with real-world testing showing 27.1 mpg.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler excelled in off-road performance with solid axles, optional differential lockers, and a range of engine options. The standard V6 engine produced 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, while a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder offered 270 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The 3.0-liter Ecodiesel V6 delivered 260 horsepower and 442 pound-feet of torque, and the high-performance Rubicon 392 featured a 6.4-liter V8 with 470 horsepower and torque. The Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid combined two electric motors with a 17.3 kWh battery for 21 miles of electric range. The Rubicon 392, with its full-time 4WD and Off-Road Plus mode, could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. However, the 392's brakes and steering were less precise, making on-road driving challenging. Other Wrangler models had better-suited brakes and more manageable steering. The Wrangler's off-road prowess was complemented by various transfer cases, with the Xtreme Recon package offering a crawl ratio of 58:1.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos boasted a spacious interior, with the SEL trim offering deeply bolstered seats, power adjustments, and heating and ventilation for the front seats. The rear seat provided ample legroom and comfort, with rear air conditioning vents enhancing passenger comfort. Storage space was adequate, though the center armrest bin was small. Cargo capacity varied depending on the drive system, with front-wheel-drive models offering 27.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 65.9 cubic feet with the seats folded. The 4Motion models had slightly less cargo space, with 24.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 60.2 cubic feet with the seats folded. A center pass-through made the Taos ideal for ski trips.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler's front seats were comfortable, but heated seats were only available with the 392 or a cold-weather package, and ventilated seats were not offered. The rear seat could fit three passengers in the four-door models, but space was tight, and the small rear doors made entry and exit challenging. Storage for small items was limited, with a flat dash and small glove box and center console. Larger cargo space was also limited, with 72.4 cubic feet available with the rear seats folded. The Wrangler's various top options, including the Sky One-Touch power soft top, provided flexibility for open-air driving. The Wrangler also offered ample charging points, with USB-A and USB-C ports, 12-volt outlets, and a 115-volt outlet.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos came equipped with Digital Cockpit instrumentation and a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The SE and SEL trims featured an 8-inch touchscreen with MIB3 software, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, voice control, and wireless smartphone charging. The SEL trim added a navigation system and an eight-speaker BeatsAudio premium sound system. However, the infotainment system's user experience was criticized for its complexity and slow response times. The voice-recognition technology also struggled with standard commands, and the transition from Fender to BeatsAudio components was seen as a downgrade.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler featured a standard 7-inch touchscreen with the Uconnect infotainment system, while higher trims had an 8.4-inch screen. The system initially appeared complicated but was intuitive once drivers became familiar with it. The Wrangler's off-road pages provided valuable information for off-road enthusiasts, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were included. The Wrangler's tech offerings were practical, with a forward-facing camera for off-road trails and auxiliary switches for aftermarket accessories. However, it lacked advanced features like a digital key and over-the-air updates for vehicle performance.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos offered IQ Drive safety technologies as standard or optional across all trims. The IQ Drive package included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. Travel Assist and Emergency Assist were also available, providing advanced driving assistance and emergency response features. The Taos SEL included these technologies as standard, along with rain-sensing wipers, road sign recognition, and rear parking sensors with automatic braking. However, the reverse automatic braking system could be overly sensitive, though it could be turned off. The Taos had not yet been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS at the time of review.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler's standard safety features included a rearview camera, electronic roll mitigation, and stability control. Advanced safety features like blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control were standard only on the top 392 model and optional on other trims. Lane-keeping assist was not available. The IIHS gave the Wrangler mixed ratings, with some trims receiving Poor ratings for headlights. The NHTSA awarded the Wrangler four out of five stars for frontal crash tests and three out of five stars for rollover ratings, but it had not been rated for side crashes.