2021 Toyota Sienna vs 2022 Volkswagen Taos

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid aimed to redefine the minivan's aesthetic, traditionally not known for its style. Toyota's designers infused the Sienna with SUV-like styling, featuring a wide grille and sleek LED headlamp arrays that integrated seamlessly with the Toyota logo. The side profile boasted an assertive stance, with redesigned sliding doors that added a sculpted look, thanks to re-engineered hinges and slides. Alloy wheels ranging from 17 to 20 inches enhanced its appearance, while the rear maintained a wide and low look. Inside, the Sienna emphasized width with horizontal lines, offering a higher seating position than a sedan but not quite reaching the command seating of an SUV. The dashboard was simple, with controls clustered below the infotainment screen, and the centre console provided smart storage solutions. The second and third-row seats were comfortable for adults, with the second row offering flexible configurations.

In contrast, the 2022 Volkswagen Taos presented itself as a compact SUV with a roomy cabin, fitting well within Volkswagen's lineup. The Highline 4Motion model featured 19-inch machined-finish aluminum alloy wheels and Cornflower Blue paint, adding to its vibrant personality. The Taos sported roof rails, dark grey plastic cladding, and simulated skid plates, though the blacked-out front bumper was a questionable styling choice. Inside, the Taos used hard plastics, reminiscent of children's toys, but offered soft surfaces where needed. The Highline trim included two-tone perforated leather with contrast stitching and upscale dashboard materials. The Taos provided ample front and rear seat space, with heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel in the Highline 4Motion. However, cargo space varied depending on the drive system, with the 4Motion model offering less space due to its independent rear suspension.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid marked Toyota's first hybrid minivan, combining a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with two electric motors to produce 243 horsepower. It offered both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive options, with the latter using a separate electric motor for the rear wheels. The Sienna employed an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (CVT), which, while maximizing fuel efficiency, resulted in a less responsive throttle. The Sienna's handling improved with new front suspension and steering, and independent rear trailing arm suspension, minimizing body roll. Fuel efficiency was a highlight, with FWD models rated at 6.6 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 6.5 on the highway, while AWD models achieved 6.8 city and 6.6 highway.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos featured 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 paired with the 4Motion AWD system resulted in erratic shifting. The standard 8-speed automatic transmission offered smoother performance but was limited to front-wheel drive. The Taos Highline 4Motion in Sport mode improved driveability, but turbo lag and harsh shifting persisted. Despite these issues, the Taos delivered a light and responsive driving experience, with commendable road feel and handling. However, its ground clearance was limited compared to competitors, and fuel efficiency was rated at 8.5 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna excelled in convenience and functionality, with a standard third-row 60/40-split bench that stored easily into the floor. The second row offered 63.5 centimetres of sliding travel, enhancing legroom and accessibility. The cabin featured 16 cupholders and ample storage cubbies, while the cargo area could accommodate a full four-by-eight sheet of plywood. Cargo capacity varied from 949 litres behind the third row to 2,860 litres behind the first row, with a towing capacity of 1,587 kilograms. The hybrid battery was cleverly positioned under the front seats, preserving cargo space. Power-operated sliding doors and a rear liftgate with kick-motion activation added to its family-friendly features.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos boasted a spacious cabin, with deeply bolstered front seats offering extensive adjustment options. The Highline 4Motion included heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. Rear passengers enjoyed generous legroom and air conditioning vents. However, cargo space was limited by the drive system, with the 4Motion model offering 705 litres behind the back seat and 1,705 litres with the seat folded. The Taos featured a centre pass-through for ski trips, but the front centre armrest bin was small due to rear air conditioning vents.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna offered a wealth of technology features, including a standard nine-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. Higher trims added SiriusXM, wireless charging, and a 1500-watt inverter. Audio systems ranged from a six-speaker stereo to a Premium Audio + JBL package with 12 speakers. A rear-seat entertainment system was available, featuring an 11.6-inch display. The driver enjoyed a multi-information display, digital rearview mirror, and remote keyless entry with push-button start.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos came equipped with a Digital Cockpit instrument cluster and a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system on the Trendline trim. Comfortline and Highline trims featured an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, and wireless charging. The Highline added navigation and an eight-speaker BeatsAudio system. However, the MIB3 infotainment system had usability issues, with complex menu navigation and unreliable voice recognition. The transition from Fender to BeatsAudio components was not seen as a positive change.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid included Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, featuring adaptive cruise control, lane-tracing assist, pre-collision system, and more. The Star Safety System and blind spot monitoring were standard, along with 10 airbags and LATCH connectors. The Sienna received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a Five-Star Overall Rating from NHTSA.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos required higher trims for popular safety features like forward-collision warning and blind-spot warning. The Highline offered additional features like lane-keeping assistance and Travel Assist, a Level 2 advanced driving assistance system. Emergency Assist was a notable safety feature, slowing the Taos in case of driver inactivity. Reverse automatic braking was problematic but could be disabled. The Taos had not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS at the time of review.