2023 Volvo XC90 vs 2023 Volkswagen Taos

The 2023 Volkswagen Taos was designed to appeal to a broad audience, offering affordability and practicality. It was a popular choice in North America, especially in Canada, where it aimed to capture the market left by the discontinued Volkswagen Golf. The Taos was available in Trendline, Comfortline, and Highline trims, with prices ranging from $26,995 to $37,695, excluding a $2,050 destination charge. The Highline trim, with its 4Motion all-wheel drive, boasted a stylish appearance with bold 19-inch alloy wheels and Cornflower Blue paint. Inside, the Taos Highline featured a premium look with light grey accents, gloss black trim, and leather seats, making it feel like a budget-friendly Audi. It was also spacious, nearly matching the larger Tiguan in interior room, making it one of the largest subcompact SUVs available.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 showcased a significant evolution in Volvo's design language, moving away from the boxy aesthetics of the past. The XC90 had a purposeful yet understated look, with a stout front end and the signature "Thor’s Hammer" headlights. Our test vehicle, in Ultimate trim, featured 21-inch wheels and a Platinum Grey paint with brown undertones, adding depth to its appearance. Inside, the XC90 exuded elegance with two-tone leather, metal speaker covers, and Nappa leather upholstery. The minimalist design was complemented by wood deco inlays, creating a serene atmosphere. Despite its size, the XC90 felt nimble and offered a comfortable driving experience, with a focus on luxury and refinement.

The 2023 Volkswagen Taos was powered by a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 158 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. It offered front-wheel drive with an eight-speed automatic transmission or all-wheel drive with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. The Taos had up to five driving modes and additional settings for the 4Motion AWD system. However, the powertrain response was unpredictable, with occasional surges of torque and delays in response. The dual-clutch transmission exhibited halting behaviour, which could be frustrating for some drivers. Despite its sporty handling and firm ride, the Taos lacked power compared to rivals like the Mazda CX-30 and Hyundai Kona N. It averaged 8.8 litres per 100 kilometres during testing, slightly above the official rating.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 introduced the B6 engine with mild-hybrid technology, replacing the older T5 and T6 engines. The B6 powertrain delivered 295 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, offering a balance between performance and fuel efficiency. The mild-hybrid system improved smoothness and reduced fuel consumption slightly. The XC90's eight-speed automatic transmission was responsive, and the vehicle handled well despite its size. Road and wind noise were minimal, thanks to excellent insulation. The XC90's brakes provided a confident feel, and while it lacked extensive off-road capabilities, it offered a straightforward driving experience with minimal drive modes.

The 2023 Volkswagen Taos offered a range of interior options, with cloth seats in Trendline trim, CloudTex upholstery in Comfortline, and real leather in Highline. Cold-weather features were standard in Canada, including heated mirrors, seats, and steering wheel. The Highline trim added rain-sensing wipers, dual-zone climate control, and ventilated front seats. The Taos felt spacious, with ample rear-seat room and generous cargo space, offering 790 litres behind the back seat and 1,866 litres with the rear seat folded down. However, the interior lacked some comfort features like a sliding centre armrest.

The 2023 Volvo XC90's interior was elegant but had limited storage space. The front seats were comfortable, but the lack of dedicated phone storage and small centre console bin were drawbacks. The second row was spacious, but accessing the third row was challenging. The XC90 offered 356 litres of cargo space with the third row in place, expanding to 1,183 litres with the seats folded. While it fell short of some competitors in cargo capacity, the XC90's driving dynamics made it feel smaller than a typical three-row SUV.

The 2023 Volkswagen Taos featured standard digital instrumentation, with an 8-inch screen in Trendline and Comfortline trims and a 10.25-inch display in Highline. The infotainment system varied by trim, with a 6.5-inch touchscreen in Trendline and an 8-inch touchscreen in Comfortline and Highline. The Highline trim included a native navigation system and an eight-speaker Beats Audio system. However, the user experience was marred by hidden virtual controls, a cumbersome radio tuning process, and ineffective voice recognition. Pairing a smartphone and using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto was recommended for a smoother experience.

The 2023 Volvo XC90's 9-inch touchscreen infotainment display ran on Google OS, offering seamless integration with Google Maps, Spotify, and Google Assistant. The system supported Apple CarPlay, but iPhones didn't integrate as smoothly. The XC90's tech was impressive, with natural-language recognition and the ability to issue commands via Google Home devices. However, the reliance on the touchscreen for key functions could be frustrating. While the minimalist design was appealing, more physical buttons would have improved usability. Keyless entry was standard, with an optional head-up display.

The 2023 Volkswagen Taos improved its safety features, with standard Front Assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert in Trendline trim. Comfortline added Lane Assist, Travel Assist, and Emergency Assist. The Taos also featured a post-collision automatic braking system, automatic high-beam headlights, and parking sensors with automatic braking. Travel Assist performed well, maintaining distance and speed smoothly. However, crash-test ratings from NHTSA and IIHS were decent but not perfect.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 was renowned for its safety, with a five-star NHTSA rating and a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS. Standard safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. The lane-keeping assist was effective, and Pilot Assist helped maintain distance and speed. Volvo's commitment to safety was evident in the XC90's comprehensive suite of driver assistance technologies.