Compare the2023 Volkswagen TaosVS 2022 Jeep Compass

Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the Taos deploy with different levels of force or don’t deploy at all to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The Taos’ side airbags will shut off if a child is leaning against the door. The Compass’ side airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

The Taos has a standard Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Compass doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Taos offers optional Maneuver Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Compass doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

Both the Taos and the Compass have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive, lane departure warning systems and rear parking sensors.

The Taos comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck. The Compass’ 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The Taos’ corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Compass’ (7 vs. 5 years).

The Taos’ 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 12 lbs.-ft. more torque (184 vs. 172) than the Compass’ 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Volkswagen Taos is faster than the Jeep Compass:

On the EPA test cycle the Taos gets better mileage than the Compass:

The Taos AWD’s standard fuel tank has a gallon more fuel capacity than the Compass (14.5 vs. 13.5 gallons).

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Volkswagen Taos higher (7 out of 10) than the Jeep Compass (6). This means the Taos produces up to 1.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Compass every 15,000 miles.

The Taos offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The Compass doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

For better stopping power the Taos’ front brake rotors are larger than those on the Compass:

The Taos stops much shorter than the Compass:

The Taos S’ standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Compass Sport’s standard 65 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Taos S has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Compass Sport.

The Taos has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Compass’ suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Taos’ wheelbase is 1.7 inches longer than on the Compass (105.5 inches vs. 103.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Taos is 1.1 inches wider in the front and .4 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Compass.

The Taos SEL handles at .80 G’s, while the Compass Trailhawk pulls only .73 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Taos SEL executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.3 seconds quicker than the Compass Trailhawk (28.3 seconds @ .58 average G’s vs. 29.6 seconds @ .53 average G’s).

The Taos has 1.5 inches more front headroom, 1.3 inches more rear headroom and .1 inches more rear shoulder room than the Compass.

The front step up height for the Taos is 2.9 inches lower than the Compass (16.5” vs. 19.4”). The Taos’ rear step up height is 4 inches lower than the Compass’ (16.7” vs. 20.7”).

The Taos has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Compass with its rear seat up (27.9 vs. 27.2 cubic feet). The Taos has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Compass with its rear seat folded (65.9 vs. 59.8 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Taos easier. The Taos’ cargo hatch lift-over height is 27 inches, while the Compass’ liftover is 31.1 inches.

The Taos’ cargo area is larger than the Compass’ in almost every dimension:

The Taos’ front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Compass’ rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

On a hot day the Taos’ driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Compass can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Taos has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The Compass doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the Taos to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Compass doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The Taos has a standard automatic headlight on/off feature. When the ignition is on, the headlights automatically turn on at dusk and off after dawn. When the ignition turns off, the headlights turn off after a delay timed to allow you to securely get to your front door. The Compass has an automatic headlight on/off feature standard only on the Latitude/Trailhawk/Limited.

The Compass Latitude/Trailhawk/Limited’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The Taos SEL’s standard adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.