2022 Volkswagen Taos vs 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV was an extended version of the standard Escalade, featuring a complete redesign for that model year. It was notably longer, measuring 226.9 inches compared to the Escalade's 211.9 inches, and slightly lower in height. This additional length was primarily at the rear, enhancing cargo space and providing a more stable ride due to a longer wheelbase of 134.1 inches. The Escalade ESV's design was characterized by its luxurious appearance, with chrome styling on certain trims and blacked-out accents on others. All versions rode on 22-inch wheels, with variations in finishes and spoke designs depending on the trim. The vehicle boasted standard luxury features like LED headlights, power-extending assist steps, and a deep-tinted glass, while offering optional upgrades such as a panoramic moonroof and heated mirrors. Despite its upscale exterior, the interior was less impressive, with hard plastics and a lack of unique dashboard trimmings, which was disappointing for a vehicle in its price range.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos was positioned as a compact SUV with a spacious interior, competing with models like the Kia Seltos and Jeep Compass. It was available in S, SE, and SEL trims, with a single engine option and a choice between front-wheel and all-wheel drive. The Taos was priced from $22,995 to $33,045, with additional factory options and packages available. The 4Motion AWD version featured a dual-clutch transmission and independent rear suspension, altering its driving dynamics. The Taos's styling was consistent with Volkswagen's lineup, with features like roof rails and skid plates. Inside, the Taos had a mix of hard plastics and soft surfaces, with the SEL trim offering two-tone leather and a stitched dashboard. Despite some interior material criticisms, the Taos was praised for its roomy cabin and comfortable seating.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV offered two engine choices: a standard 6.2-liter V8 producing 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, and an optional 3.0-liter Duramax turbodiesel inline-six with 277 horsepower and the same torque. Both engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and available in rear-wheel or four-wheel drive. The Escalade ESV's V8 engine provided adequate power but lacked low-end torque for high-speed passing. The vehicle's weight ranged from 5,785 to 6,182 pounds, affecting its performance when towing. Fuel economy was not officially rated for the ESV, but similar models achieved 17 to 23 mpg combined. During testing, the RWD Escalade ESV averaged around 18 mpg.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos was equipped with a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 158 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The engine's torque was available at a low 1,750 rpm, but turbo lag caused delayed throttle response. The 4Motion AWD version featured a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, which provided spirited performance but had erratic shifting. The standard eight-speed automatic transmission offered smoother driving but was limited to front-wheel drive. The Taos SEL 4Motion in Sport mode improved drivability, but turbo lag and harsh shifting persisted. The Taos had a light and responsive driving character, with good road feel and handling. Its ground clearance was 6.6 inches, less than some competitors. The EPA rated the Taos SEL 4Motion at 28 mpg combined, with testing results showing 27.1 mpg.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV was designed for comfort and cargo capacity, with standard leatherette seating and available leather upholstery. It featured 12-way power-adjustable front seats, heated seats, a heated steering wheel, and tri-zone climate control. Upgrades included 16-way power-adjustable seats with massage, a panoramic sunroof, and soft-close doors. The ESV offered ample legroom in the first two rows, with decent third-row space. Cargo capacity was 126.6 cubic feet behind the first row, 81.5 cubic feet behind the second, and 42.9 cubic feet behind the third. The power-adjustable third row could be folded using a switch in the cargo area. The hands-free power liftgate was inconsistent, and the rear window could open for additional storage.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos was marketed as a compact SUV with a spacious interior. The SEL trim featured deeply bolstered seats with power adjustments and lumbar support, along with heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The rear seat offered generous legroom and comfort, with rear air conditioning vents. Cargo space varied by drive system, with the FWD version offering 27.9 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 65.9 cubic feet with the seat folded. The 4Motion version had slightly less cargo space due to its independent rear suspension. The Taos included a center pass-through for ski trips and other long items.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV was equipped with advanced technology, including a standard 19-speaker AKG sound system and an optional 36-speaker AKG Studio Reference audio system. It featured wireless charging, NFC phone pairing, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and seven USB ports. The Escalade's standout feature was a 38-inch curved OLED screen, providing driver information and infotainment with crisp graphics. Cadillac's Super Cruise advanced driving assist system was available, allowing hands-free driving on certain highways. Super Cruise included lane-keeping, lane-centering, and adaptive cruise control, but had occasional issues with sunlight and construction zones. The system's lane-change technology was effective but sometimes slow in heavy traffic.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos came with Digital Cockpit instrumentation and a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system on the S trim, while the SE and SEL had 8-inch touchscreens with MIB3 software. All trims included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Car-Net connected services. The SE trim added wireless smartphone charging and SiriusXM satellite radio, while the SEL included navigation and an eight-speaker BeatsAudio system. The MIB3 system was intended to be user-friendly, but voice recognition issues and a complex user interface detracted from the experience. Volkswagen's transition from Fender to BeatsAudio components was not seen as a positive change.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV came standard with front automatic braking, park assist, pedestrian detection, safety seat alert, lane-keep assist, and forward-collision assist. Optional features included adaptive park assist, a head-up display, lane-departure warning, blind-spot alert, rear cross-traffic alert, night vision, and advanced adaptive cruise control. The NHTSA gave the Escalade ESV a four-star rating, with a three-star rollover test result indicating a higher risk of rollover.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos offered IQ Drive safety technologies as standard or optional across all trims. The IQ Drive package included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. Travel Assist and Emergency Assist were also available, providing adaptive cruise control and emergency response features. The Taos SEL included these technologies as standard, along with rain-sensing wipers and road sign recognition. The reverse automatic braking system was sensitive but could be disabled. The Taos had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS at the time of review.