2022 Toyota Sienna vs 2023 Volkswagen Taos

The 2022 Toyota Sienna stood out in the minivan segment, a category that had seen a decline with the rise of SUVs. Despite this trend, Toyota remained committed to the minivan market, evolving the Sienna over the years. The fourth-generation Sienna, launched in 2021, embraced a more SUV-like style while retaining its minivan identity, evident from its sliding side doors. The design featured a bold front end and cleverly concealed door hinges, giving it a robust and assertive profile. Inside, the Sienna offered a spacious and practical cabin, with ample storage and seating options, including available second-row captain’s chairs and a versatile third-row bench that folded into the floor.

In contrast, the 2023 Volkswagen Taos was designed to appeal to a broad audience, offering a stylish and sporty look. The Taos Highline trim, with its bold 19-inch alloy wheels and bright blue paint, presented an upscale appearance. Inside, the Taos Highline resembled a more affordable Audi, with its light grey accents, gloss black trim, and leather seats. The Taos was notably roomy for a subcompact SUV, providing ample space for passengers and cargo, making it a practical choice for those seeking comfort and utility in a smaller package.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna featured a hybrid powertrain, combining a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with two electric motors to produce 243 horsepower. This setup offered both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive options, with the latter adding a separate electric motor for the rear wheels. The Sienna used an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (CVT), providing smooth power delivery and excellent fuel efficiency. The Sienna's handling was surprisingly agile for a minivan, thanks to its advanced suspension system, and it boasted impressive fuel consumption figures, with FWD models achieving 6.6 litres per 100 kilometres combined.

The 2023 Volkswagen Taos, on the other hand, was equipped with a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 158 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. The Taos offered both front-wheel drive with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. While the Taos provided a sporty driving experience, its powertrain response was inconsistent, and the engine's lack of power was noticeable compared to competitors. The Taos averaged 8.8 litres per 100 kilometres during testing, slightly above its official rating. Despite its shortcomings in power, the Taos offered a nimble and stable driving experience, especially in its Highline trim with 4Motion.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna excelled in interior space and versatility, capable of accommodating a full 4x8 sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed. Its sliding second row added flexibility for cargo loading, and the Sienna offered generous cargo space, with 949 litres behind the third row, 2,129 litres behind the second row, and 2,860 litres behind the first row. The Sienna also had a 1,585-kilogram towing capacity, making it a practical choice for families needing to haul both people and cargo.

The 2023 Volkswagen Taos provided a spacious interior for a subcompact SUV, with comfortable seating and ample legroom for rear passengers. The Taos offered 790 litres of cargo space behind the back seat and 1,866 litres with the rear seat folded down, though these figures were slightly reduced with the 4Motion system. The Taos featured a range of interior materials, from cloth seats in the Trendline trim to real leather in the Highline, and included standard cold-weather equipment in Canada, enhancing its appeal in colder climates.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna came equipped with a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM. However, it lacked wireless connectivity for these features, which was a notable omission. The Sienna included a range of telematics services and audio systems, with higher trims offering a 12-speaker JBL system and a rear-seat entertainment system. The Sienna also featured a digital rearview mirror and a Smart Key System on higher trims, adding convenience for drivers.

The 2023 Volkswagen Taos offered a range of digital instrumentation and infotainment options, with the Highline trim featuring a 10.25-inch display and an 8-inch touchscreen. The Taos supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a native navigation system and an eight-speaker Beats Audio system. However, the user experience was marred by hidden virtual controls and a cumbersome interface, making it less intuitive than expected. Despite these challenges, the Taos provided a comprehensive suite of connectivity features.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna received top safety ratings, including a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. It came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, offering adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. The Sienna also included 10 airbags, a rear-seat reminder system, and a tire-pressure monitoring system, ensuring a high level of safety for families.

The 2023 Volkswagen Taos improved its safety features, with standard Front Assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Comfortline trim added Lane Assist, Travel Assist, and Emergency Assist, while the Highline included parking sensors and a road-sign recognition system. Travel Assist was particularly effective, providing smooth and accurate assistance on highways. However, the Taos's crash-test ratings were decent but not perfect, indicating room for improvement in safety performance.