2022 Volvo XC90 vs 2023 Volkswagen Taos

The 2022 Volvo XC90 represented a significant evolution from the brand's earlier boxy designs, maintaining its family-friendly and safety-oriented image while moving towards a more upscale, luxury class. After Volvo's acquisition by China's Zhejiang Geely Holding in 2010, the company developed new vehicle platforms, including the Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) for the XC90, which debuted as a 2016 model. The 2022 XC90 showcased a sleek and athletic profile, with a long roofline and pronounced wheel arches, complemented by the iconic "Thor's Hammer" LED headlights. Inside, the XC90 exuded "Scandinavian Modern" and "Swedish Luxury" with natural wood and metal trim, offering a choice between Nappa leather and a tailored wool blend upholstery.

The 2023 Volkswagen Taos, exclusive to North America, was designed for affordability and practicality, aiming to capture sales from the discontinued Volkswagen Golf in Canada. Priced between $26,995 and $37,695, the Taos came in Trendline, Comfortline, and Highline trims, with the latter featuring 4Motion all-wheel drive. The Taos Highline boasted a stylish appearance with bold 19-inch alloy wheels and a bright blue paint job. Inside, the Highline trim offered a premium feel with light grey accents, gloss black trim, and leather seats, resembling a more affordable Audi. The Taos was nearly as roomy as the larger Tiguan, making it one of the most spacious subcompact SUVs available.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains: the T5 with a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine producing 250 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, the T6 with a supercharged and turbocharged version delivering 316 hp and 295 lb-ft, and the Recharge plug-in hybrid combining a gasoline engine and electric motor for a total of 455 hp and 523 lb-ft. All models featured all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The XC90's fuel efficiency varied, with the T5 achieving 11.5 L/100 km in the city and 8.4 on the highway, while the Recharge model offered an 8.8 L/100 km combined rating in hybrid mode. The XC90 excelled in handling, with minimal body roll and smooth power delivery, especially in the Recharge Inscription extended range model.

The 2023 Volkswagen Taos was powered by a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. Front-wheel drive models used an eight-speed automatic transmission, while all-wheel drive versions featured a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. The Taos offered up to five driving modes, but the powertrain response was unpredictable, with occasional surges of torque and transmission quirks. On a mountainous driving loop, the Taos averaged 8.8 L/100 km, slightly above the official rating. Despite its lack of power compared to rivals, the Taos Highline demonstrated a Germanic driving character with firm handling and excellent visibility, though it suffered from wind and road noise at highway speeds.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 accommodated six or seven passengers, with easy access to the third row via a one-handed slide and fold of the second row. While the third row was suitable for children, adults would find it lacking in legroom. The XC90 offered 357 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 1,855 litres with all seats folded. It could tow up to 2,250 kilograms, making it versatile for family adventures. The interior featured ample storage, a panoramic moonroof, and effective climate control, ensuring comfort in various weather conditions.

The 2023 Volkswagen Taos provided a spacious interior, with Trendline trim featuring cloth seats, Comfortline with CloudTex leatherette, and Highline with real leather. Standard cold-weather equipment included heated seats and a steering wheel. The Taos felt larger inside than its competitors, with a comfortable eight-way power driver's seat and generous rear-seat space. Cargo capacity was impressive, offering 790 litres behind the back seat and 1,866 litres with the rear seat folded down, though slightly reduced with 4Motion.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system with a nine-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel. While intuitive, the system was occasionally glitchy, performing better with Apple CarPlay. The Advanced package added a head-up display, 360-degree camera, and advanced air cleaner. Standard features included keyless entry and a Harman-Kardon audio system on higher trims, with USB ports for device charging.

The 2023 Volkswagen Taos came with digital instrumentation, ranging from an eight-inch screen on lower trims to a 10.25-inch display on the Highline. Infotainment systems varied, with the Highline offering an eight-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and an eight-speaker Beats Audio system. However, the user experience was marred by hidden controls, complex radio tuning, and ineffective voice recognition. Pairing a smartphone and using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto was recommended for a smoother experience.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 was renowned for its safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and Pilot Assist, which combined several safety functions for highway driving. It received top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, reinforcing its reputation as a safe family vehicle.

The 2023 Volkswagen Taos improved its safety offerings with standard Front Assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims added Lane Assist, Travel Assist, and Emergency Assist. Travel Assist performed well, maintaining distance and speed on highways. While crash-test ratings were decent, they were not perfect.