The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross and the 2022 Volkswagen Taos blend the world of the economical subcompact with that of the crossover SUV. Here’s how they compare.
2022 Toyota Corolla Cross
2022 Toyota Corolla Cross
2022 Toyota Corolla Cross Starting Price: $22,195 | Price yours or View listings near you
Above Average: Budget-friendly; many standard active safety features; standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto; available AWD.
Below Average: Only one engine choice; base model is pretty basic; the exterior design is unremarkable.
Consensus: The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross is aimed at the heart of the burgeoning subcompact SUV segment. With its affordable price, solid fuel economy, and strong standard feature set, the new Corolla Cross makes a good argument for your hard-earned money.
2022 Volkswagen Taos
2022 Volkswagen Taos
2022 Volkswagen Taos Starting Price: $22,995 | Price yours or View listings near you
Above Average: Geared 7- and 8-speed automatic transmissions instead of a CVT; good passenger space; standard digital instrumentation.
Below Average: Active-safety features cost extra on the base model; S model’s small touchscreen; pricey top trim.
Consensus: The 2022 Volkswagen Taos is VW’s entry-level SUV. Although small outside, it’s roomy within. Just one engine is offered, a 1.5-liter turbo-4.
Corolla Cross vs. Taos: Bite-Sized Utility
Corolla Cross
The all-new 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross is the brand’s newest entrant to the hugely popular small SUV segment. It joins models like the Nissan Rogue Sport, Subaru Crosstrek, Volkswagen Taos, and Kia Seltos.
The Corolla Cross features a 169-horsepower 4-cylinder engine and standard front-wheel drive (FWD) or optional all-wheel drive (AWD).
Three trim levels are offered: L, LE, and XLE. No matter which you choose, every Corolla Cross comes with the Toyota Safety Sense suite of active safety features. This includes forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, and more.
Anyone familiar with the current-generation Toyota Corolla will feel at home in the new Corolla Cross SUV. There’s the familiar dash, including the 7- or 8-inch infotainment screens, the shape of the heating and air conditioning vents, and the design of the steering wheel.
Volkswagen Taos
The Taos is a new entry and VW’s smallest crossover. Although its design apes the look of the big-boy Atlas, the Taos is nearly a foot shorter than a Tiguan. Despite the small footprint, the blocky design yields good interior space.
The seats are pleasantly up off the floor, and it offers adequate room for adults, front and rear. Cargo space is quite good, too, with 27.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats (24.9 with AWD); folding the seatbacks expands that to 65.9 (60.2 with AWD).
A 1.5-liter turbo-4 is the sole engine and makes a credible 158 horsepower. With front-wheel drive, it’s paired with an 8-speed automatic, while the AWD version gets a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic. EPA city/highway estimates are 28/36 mpg (FWD) and 25/32 mpg (AWD). Acceleration is sprightly around town, slightly less so on the highway. The suspension tuning is firm yet still comfortable, but the over-boosted steering could be improved.
Taos comes in S, SE, and SEL trim levels. Forward-collision warning with automatic braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control all cost extra on the S. The SE adds the first three but still charges extra for the latter two. All are included on the SEL.
All Taos trims get a digital instrument cluster, an unusual feature in this class. The infotainment display is just 6.5 inches in the S, while other trims get an 8-inch unit as well as wireless smartphone mirroring and wireless charging.
Similarities
Both offer similar gas mileage and cargo space, as well as available AWD.
Toyota Corolla Cross Benefits
Robust set of active safety and driver-assist features come standard on every model; Toyota reputation for reliability and resale value.
Volkswagen Taos Benefits
More compact exterior despite larger cargo area and rear seat; better highway fuel economy; geared automatic transmission instead of CVT in base form.
Which One is Right for Me?
The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross is the brand’s latest subcompact SUV. It’s more conventional than its sibling the C-HR and has a competitive feature set.
The 2022 Volkswagen Taos inherits its good looks from the larger VW Atlas. It boasts solid German-inspired road manners and a lively powertrain.
| 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross | 2022 Volkswagen Taos | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 2.0-liter I4 | 1.5-liter turbo I4 |
| Horsepower | 169 hp @ 6,600 rpm | 158 hp @ 5,500 rpm |
| Torque | 150 lb-ft @ 4,400-4,800 rpm | 184 lb-ft @ 1,750 rpm |
| Transmission | CVT | 8-spd automatic |
| Fuel Economy | 32 mpg (31 city/33 hwy) | 31 mpg (28 city/36 hwy) |
| Also Available | AWD | 7-spd automatic; AWD |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | n/a | n/a |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 103.9 inches | 99.2 inches |
| Overall Length | 175.6 inches | 161.3 inches |
| Width | 71.9 inches | 69.5 inches |
| Height | 64.8 inches | 64.8 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 35.4 feet | 36.8 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 39.5 inches | 40.7 inches |
| Headroom, Rear | 39.1 inches | 39.8 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 42.9 inches | 40.1 inches |
| Legroom, Rear | 32.0 inches | 37.9 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 52.7 inches | 56.5 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Rear | 52.4 inches | 55.2 inches |
| EPA Passenger Volume | 88.4 cubic feet | 99.9 cubic feet |
| EPA Cargo Volume | 25.5/TBD cubic feet | 27.9/65.9 cubic feet |
Keyword: 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross vs. 2022 Volkswagen Taos Comparison