Compare the2023 Volkswagen TaosVS 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid

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 Corolla Cross Hybrid’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 Corolla Cross Hybrid 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.

The Taos has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. Only the Corolla Cross Hybrid SE/XSE offers a blind spot warning system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Taos has standard rear cross-path warning, helping the driver avoid collisions. Only the Corolla Cross Hybrid SE/XSE offers Rear Cross-Traffic Alert.

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

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Volkswagen Taos is safer than the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The Taos comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck. The Corolla Cross Hybrid’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 Corolla Cross Hybrid’s (7 vs. 5 years).

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 Corolla Cross Hybrid doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Taos FWD’s standard fuel tank has 2.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Corolla Cross Hybrid (13.2 vs. 10.6 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Taos AWD’s standard fuel tank has 3.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the Corolla Cross Hybrid (14.5 vs. 10.6 gallons).

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

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 Corolla Cross Hybrid’s standard 65 series tires. The Taos SEL 4Motion’s tires have a lower 45 series profile than the Corolla Cross Hybrid XSE’s 55 series tires.

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

The Taos has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Corolla Cross Hybrid; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

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

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

The Taos has 4.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Corolla Cross Hybrid (99.5 vs. 94.9).

The Taos has 2.1 inches more front headroom, 3.8 inches more front shoulder room, .8 inches more rear headroom, 5.9 inches more rear legroom and 2.8 inches more rear shoulder room than the Corolla Cross Hybrid.

The Taos has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Corolla Cross Hybrid (27.9 vs. 21.5 cubic feet).

The Taos’ standard variable intermittent wipers have an adjustable delay to allow the driver to choose a setting that best clears the windshield during light rain or mist. The Corolla Cross Hybrid S’ standard fixed intermittent wipers only have one fixed delay setting, so the driver will have to manually switch them between slow and intermittent. The Taos’ optional wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The Corolla Cross Hybrid SE/XSE’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 Corolla Cross Hybrid 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 Corolla Cross Hybrid has an automatic headlight on/off feature standard only on the LE/XSE.

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 Corolla Cross Hybrid 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 Corolla Cross Hybrid doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Taos SEL’s standard GPS navigation system has a real-time traffic update feature that plots alternative routes to automatically bypass traffic problems. (Service not available in all areas.) The Corolla Cross Hybrid’s available navigation system doesn’t offer real-time traffic updates.

The Taos is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Corolla Cross Hybrid doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.