Toyota Highlander Hybrid vs Volkswagen Taos

The 2023 Volkswagen Taos was designed to appeal to a broad audience, offering affordability and comfort. Despite its small SUV classification, the Taos provided a spacious interior, almost rivaling the larger Tiguan model. The Highline trim, with its Cornflower Blue paint and 19-inch alloy wheels, gave the Taos an upscale appearance. Inside, the light grey accents, gloss black trim, and leather seats contributed to a premium feel, reminiscent of a more affordable Audi. The Taos was positioned as a stylish and sporty option in the small SUV segment, with a price range from $26,995 to $37,695 in Canada.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid maintained its familiar design with minimal changes, introducing a new Cypress Green paint colour. The Highlander Hybrid's exterior was characterized by exaggerated forms and dramatic sculpting, which some found over-styled. Inside, the cabin featured large elements like a 12.3-inch touchscreen and oversized climate control knobs, creating a bold but somewhat cluttered aesthetic. Despite its visual quirks, the Highlander Hybrid was quiet on the road, with Toyota focusing on noise reduction. The interior, however, lacked the quality feel expected at its price point, with some controls and materials feeling inexpensive.

The 2023 Volkswagen Taos was equipped with a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 158 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. The engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission for front-wheel drive models and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic for all-wheel drive versions. The Taos offered up to five driving modes, but its powertrain response was unpredictable, with occasional surges of torque or delays. Despite its sporty character, the Taos lacked power compared to rivals like the Mazda CX-30 and Hyundai Kona N. The Taos Highline demonstrated a Germanic driving character, with firm handling and excellent visibility, but suffered from wind and road noise at highway speeds.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid combined a 2.5-litre Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine with electric motor-generators, delivering 243 combined horsepower. The hybrid system provided standard all-wheel drive, with the electric motors assisting acceleration and allowing for low-speed electric-only driving. However, the gas engine's 175 lb-ft of torque limited high-speed passing power. The Highlander Hybrid offered Eco, Normal, and Sport driving modes, but its soft suspension and continuously variable transmission made for a less engaging driving experience. The Predictive Efficient Drive system aimed to optimize fuel economy, but the test vehicle averaged 8.2 L/100 km, above the expected 6.7 L/100 km.

The 2023 Volkswagen Taos offered a range of interior features, with Trendline trim featuring cloth seats, Comfortline with CloudTex upholstery, and Highline with leather. Cold-weather equipment was standard in Canada, and the Highline trim added rain-sensing wipers and dual-zone climate control. The Taos provided ample interior space, with a comfortable eight-way power driver's seat and generous rear-seat room. Cargo space was also impressive, with up to 1,866 litres available with the rear seats folded down.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid accommodated seven or eight passengers, with most models featuring second-row captain's chairs. Standard equipment included three-zone climate control and heated front seats, with the Platinum package adding heated second-row seats. The Highlander's interior offered power-adjustable front seats and sunshades for second-row passengers. However, the third-row seat was cramped and best suited for occasional use. Cargo space was generous, with up to 2,387 litres available with the second-row seats folded down, but the centre armrest storage design was unnecessarily complex.

The 2023 Volkswagen Taos featured standard digital instrumentation, with an 8-inch screen for lower trims and a 10.25-inch display for the Highline. Infotainment systems ranged from a basic 6.5-inch touchscreen to an 8-inch screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Highline trim included a native navigation system and an eight-speaker Beats Audio system. However, the user experience was hindered by hidden controls and a challenging radio tuning process.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid introduced new technology, with upper trims receiving a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display. The infotainment system featured an 8.0-inch or 12.3-inch touchscreen, with over-the-air updates and wireless smartphone connectivity. The Drive Connect service plan offered an Intelligent Assistant and cloud-based navigation. The test vehicle included a head-up display and an 11-speaker JBL sound system. While the technology was generally user-friendly, the graphics could benefit from sharper contrast.

The 2023 Volkswagen Taos improved its standard safety features, including Front Assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Comfortline trim added Lane Assist, Travel Assist, and Emergency Assist. The Taos also featured a post-collision automatic braking system and automatic high-beam headlights. Travel Assist performed well, maintaining distance and speed smoothly. The Taos received decent crash-test ratings from NHTSA and IIHS.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard, with higher trims adding parking sensors and a surround-view camera. The ADAS worked well in most situations, though it struggled with certain road conditions. Safety Connect provided emergency assistance and vehicle location services. The Highlander Hybrid received excellent crash-test ratings from IIHS and NHTSA.