2022 Volkswagen Taos vs 2023 Toyota Sequoia

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos was positioned as a compact SUV with a spacious interior, competing against models like the Kia Seltos and Subaru Crosstrek. It offered three trims: Trendline, Comfortline, and Highline, with prices ranging from $26,695 to $36,695. The Taos featured a choice between front-wheel drive and 4Motion all-wheel drive, with the latter offering enhanced driving dynamics through a dual-clutch transmission and independent rear suspension. Its exterior styling was consistent with Volkswagen's lineup, highlighted by 19-inch alloy wheels and Cornflower Blue paint. Inside, the Taos had a mix of hard plastics and soft-touch materials, with the Highline trim offering leather upholstery and a stitched dashboard.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia, a three-row SUV, was redesigned with a bold look reminiscent of the Toyota Tundra. It featured a luxurious Capstone trim with leather, wood, and metallic finishes, and a 14-inch infotainment system. The Sequoia's lineup included TRD Off-road, Limited, Platinum, and TRD Pro trims, with prices starting at $79,335. The SUV offered impressive towing capabilities and a hybrid powertrain, delivering 437 horsepower. However, its off-road prowess was slightly diminished compared to its predecessor. The Sequoia's interior was spacious, though the third-row seating was less comfortable due to the hybrid battery placement. Cargo space was reduced compared to the previous model, but the adjustable cargo shelf offered some flexibility.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos was powered by a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 158 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. This engine provided adequate power, but the turbocharger's delayed response could lead to sudden torque delivery. The 4Motion AWD system, paired with a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch transmission, offered spirited performance but could be erratic in shifting. The standard 8-speed automatic transmission provided smoother driving but was limited to front-wheel drive. The Taos excelled in handling, with responsive steering and effective brakes, though its ground clearance was limited at 16.2 centimetres. Fuel efficiency was rated at 8.5 L/100 km, with real-world testing showing 8.7 L/100 km.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia featured a hybrid powertrain with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine, a 10-speed automatic transmission, and an electric motor, delivering 437 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque. This setup allowed for a maximum towing capacity of 4,137 kilograms, significantly more than the previous model. Fuel efficiency improved to 11.7 L/100 km, with testing showing 13.2 L/100 km. The Sequoia offered multiple driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+, but its ride quality could be busy and jittery in Normal mode. The steering was slow, and the regenerative braking system felt heavy and numb, affecting urban driving comfort.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos boasted a roomy interior, with the Highline trim offering power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated front seats. The rear seat provided ample legroom and comfort, with rear air conditioning vents enhancing passenger comfort. Cargo space varied with the drive system, offering up to 1,866 litres with the rear seats folded in the FWD model. The 4Motion version had slightly less cargo space due to its independent rear suspension. A centre pass-through made it ideal for carrying long items like skis.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia excelled on highways, with comfortable front seats, a premium audio system, and a triple-zone climate control system. The second-row captain's chairs were comfortable but lacked sliding functionality, limiting third-row legroom. The third-row seat was less comfortable due to the high floor and low roof. Cargo space was limited, with only 325 litres available with the third-row seat in place, expandable to 2,460 litres with all seats folded. The adjustable cargo shelf offered some flexibility, but the overall cargo capacity was reduced compared to the previous model.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos came with a Digital Cockpit instrument cluster and a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system on the Trendline trim, while higher trims featured an 8-inch display with MIB3 software. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with wireless connectivity available on Comfortline and Highline trims. The Highline trim added a navigation system and a BeatsAudio premium sound system. However, the infotainment system's user experience was complex, and voice recognition was unreliable.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia featured a new Toyota Audio Multimedia system, with an 8-inch touchscreen on the base trim and a 14-inch display on higher trims. The system was intuitive, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Connected services allowed for user accounts and an Intelligent Assistant for navigation. The Capstone trim included a 10-inch head-up display and a surround-view camera system. However, the display suffered from glare, and the Intelligent Assistant had some limitations in recognizing commands.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos offered a range of safety features, but many were only available on higher trims or as part of optional packages. These included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Highline trim offered additional features like lane-keeping assistance and Travel Assist, a Level 2 advanced driving assistance system. Emergency Assist was a notable feature, slowing the vehicle in case of driver inactivity. The Taos had not been crash-tested by major safety organizations at the time of review.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Additional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors with automatic braking. The Sequoia's safety systems were effective, though the lane-departure warning system's beeping could be irritating. The Sequoia had not been crash-tested, but the Tundra, on which it is based, received high safety ratings.