Compare the2023 Volkswagen TaosVS 2022 Toyota C-HR

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 C-HR’s 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 C-HR 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 C-HR doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Taos offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The C-HR doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

Both the Taos and the C-HR 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 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 C-HR’s 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 C-HR’s (7 vs. 5 years).

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Taos has a standard 640-amp battery. The C-HR’s 520-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

The Taos’ 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 14 more horsepower (158 vs. 144) and 45 lbs.-ft. more torque (184 vs. 139) than the C-HR’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Volkswagen Taos is faster than the Toyota C-HR:

On the EPA test cycle the Taos FWD gets better fuel mileage than the C-HR (28 city/36 hwy vs. 27 city/31 hwy).

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Taos’ engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The C-HR doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Volkswagen Taos uses regular unleaded gasoline. The C-HR requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Taos AWD’s standard fuel tank has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the C-HR (14.5 vs. 13.2 gallons).

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Volkswagen Taos higher (7 out of 10) than the Toyota C-HR (3). This means the Taos produces up to 24.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the C-HR every 15,000 miles.

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

The Taos stops shorter than the C-HR:

The Taos SEL 4Motion’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the C-HR’s 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Taos SEL 4Motion has standard 19-inch wheels. The C-HR’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

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

The Taos has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The C-HR doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Taos’ wheelbase is 1.6 inches longer than on the C-HR (105.5 inches vs. 103.9 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Taos is 1.2 inches wider in the front and 0 inches wider in the rear than the track on the C-HR.

The Taos SEL handles at .83 G’s, while the C-HR Limited pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Taos has 13.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the C-HR (99.5 vs. 86).

The Taos has 2.6 inches more front headroom, 7.5 inches more front shoulder room, 1.5 inches more rear headroom, 6.2 inches more rear legroom and 2.7 inches more rear shoulder room than the C-HR.

The Taos has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the C-HR with its rear seat up (27.9 vs. 19.1 cubic feet). The Taos has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the C-HR with its rear seat folded (65.9 vs. 37 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 C-HR’s liftover is 31 inches.

The Taos has a higher standard payload capacity than the C-HR (937 vs. 835 lbs.).

A maintenance reminder system is standard on the Taos to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals for oil changes and vehicle inspection based on odometer mileage. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Toyota doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the C-HR.

The Taos SE/SEL has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The C-HR doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The Taos’ optional wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The C-HR’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

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 C-HR doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Taos SEL keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The C-HR doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the Taos’ optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The C-HR doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Taos has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The C-HR doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

Both the Taos and the C-HR offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Taos offers optional rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The C-HR doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Volkswagen Taos SE/SEL has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The C-HR doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.