Compare the2023 Toyota Rav4 HybridVS 2023 Volkswagen Taos

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Payload and Towing
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Toyota Rav4 Hybrid have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Volkswagen Taos doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

The Toyota Rav4 Hybrid has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Taos doesn’t offer knee airbags.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Rav4 Hybrid. But it costs extra on the Taos.

The Rav4 Hybrid’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the Taos.

The Rav4 Hybrid XSE/Limited offers an optional Bird’s Eye View Camera to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Taos only offers a rear monitor and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the front or sides.

The Rav4 Hybrid’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Taos doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Rav4 Hybrid and the Taos have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rates the general design of front seat head restraints for their ability to protect front seat occupants from whiplash injuries. The IIHS also performs a dynamic test on those seats with “good” or “acceptable” geometry. In these ratings, the Rav4 Hybrid is safer than the Taos:

	Rav4 Hybrid	Taos
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Head Restraint Design	GOOD	GOOD
Distance from Back of Head	18 mm	38 mm
Dynamic Test Rating	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Seat Design	Pass	Fail
Torso Acceleration	12.2 g’s	13.3 g’s
Neck Force Rating	Low	Low
Max Neck Shearing Force	0	0
Max Neck Tension	231	334

(Lower numerical results are better in all tests.)

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its available headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Rav4 Hybrid the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2022, a rating granted to only 164 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Taos is not a “Top Safety Pick.”

Warranty

Toyota’s powertrain warranty covers the Rav4 Hybrid 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Volkswagen covers the Taos. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the Taos ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

The Rav4 Hybrid’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Taos’ (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

There are almost 2 times as many Toyota dealers as there are Volkswagen dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Rav4 Hybrid’s warranty.

Reliability

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the Rav4 Hybrid’s engine. A rubber cam drive belt that needs periodic replacement drives the Taos’ camshafts. If the Taos’ belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Rav4 Hybrid’s reliability 14 points higher than the Taos.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than Volkswagen vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota above average in initial quality. With 58 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volkswagen is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota above average in long-term dependability. With 34 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Volkswagen is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota second in overall reliability. Volkswagen is ranked 24th.

Engine

The Rav4 Hybrid’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 61 more horsepower (219 vs. 158) than the Taos’ 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Toyota Rav4 Hybrid is faster than the Volkswagen Taos:

	Rav4 Hybrid	Taos
Zero to 30 MPH	2.9 sec	3.7 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	7.8 sec	9.4 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	4.7 sec	5.9 sec
Quarter Mile	16 sec	17.3 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	91 MPH	84 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Rav4 Hybrid gets better mileage than the Taos:

			MPG
Rav4 Hybrid
	AWD	2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	41 city/38 hwy
		Woodland 2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	38 city/35 hwy
Taos
	FWD	1.5 turbo 4-cyl.	28 city/36 hwy
	AWD	1.5 turbo 4-cyl.	25 city/32 hwy

The Rav4 Hybrid can travel with zero emissions on a full charge for 1.6 miles. The Taos can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the Rav4 Hybrid’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Taos doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The Rav4 Hybrid has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Taos FWD’s standard fuel tank (14.5 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Transmission

The Rav4 Hybrid has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Taos doesn’t offer a CVT.

Brakes and Stopping

The Rav4 Hybrid stops shorter than the Taos:

	Rav4 Hybrid	Taos
60 to 0 MPH	120 feet	129 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Rav4 Hybrid has larger tires than the Taos (225/65R17 vs. 215/50R18).

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Toyota Rav4 Hybrid has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Taos 4x2 has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The Rav4 Hybrid has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Rav4 Hybrid flat and controlled during cornering. The Taos 4x2 suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Rav4 Hybrid is 1.2 inches wider in the front and 3.1 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Taos.

The Rav4 Hybrid XSE executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Taos SEL (27.6 seconds @ .63 average G’s vs. 28.3 seconds @ .58 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Rav4 Hybrid’s turning circle is 1.5 feet tighter than the Taos’ (36.1 feet vs. 37.6 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Rav4 Hybrid has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Taos (8.1 vs. 7.6 inches), allowing the Rav4 Hybrid to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The front grille of the Rav4 Hybrid uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Taos doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Passenger Space

The Rav4 Hybrid has .9 inches more front legroom, 1.3 inches more front shoulder room and 1.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the Taos.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Rav4 Hybrid’s rear seats recline. The Taos’ rear seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The Rav4 Hybrid has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Taos with its rear seat up (37.6 vs. 27.9 cubic feet). The Rav4 Hybrid has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Taos with its rear seat folded (69.8 vs. 65.9 cubic feet).

The Rav4 Hybrid’s cargo area is larger than the Taos’ in almost every dimension:

	Rav4 Hybrid	Taos
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	40”/73.4”	34.3”/65.2”
Max Width	59”	48.5”
Min Width	39.4”	40”
Height	36.6”	37”

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Rav4 Hybrid. The Taos doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the Rav4 Hybrid (except LE/Woodland Edition) offers an optional power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button or, optionally on the Rav4 Hybrid Limited, by just kicking your foot under the back bumper, completely leaving your hands free. The Taos doesn’t offer a power liftgate.

Payload and Towing

The Rav4 Hybrid has a 1750 lbs. towing capacity. The Taos has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Rav4 Hybrid uses the Vehicle Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Taos doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Rav4 Hybrid has a much higher standard payload capacity than the Taos (1210 vs. 937 lbs.).

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the Rav4 Hybrid (except LE/SE/Woodland), the optional memory seats make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position. The Taos doesn’t offer memory seats.

If the windows are left open on the Rav4 Hybrid the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Toyota service department.) The driver of the Taos can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Rav4 Hybrid has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the Taos only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

Both the Rav4 Hybrid and the Taos offer available heated front seats. The Rav4 Hybrid Limited also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Taos.

The Rav4 Hybrid has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the Taos SEL.

Both the Rav4 Hybrid and the Taos offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Rav4 Hybrid has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Taos doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Toyota Rav4 Hybrid, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Volkswagen Taos isn't recommended.

The Toyota Rav4 outsold the Volkswagen Taos by almost seven to one during the 2022 model year.

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