Volkswagen Taos vs. Chevrolet Trailblazer

The Volkswagen Taos and Chevrolet Trailblazer are 2 of the latest successful a increasing assemblage of extra-small crossover SUVs. These entry-level crossovers supply tons of inferior successful a comparatively tiny bundle and connection galore features recovered successful larger SUVs. Cutting backmost connected size doesn't mean cutting backmost connected convenience.

Chevrolet introduced the Trailblazer for 2021. It rapidly stood retired arsenic Edmunds' favourite exemplary successful the people acknowledgment to its comfy interior and wealthiness of operator immunodeficiency and exertion features. Now for 2022 Volkswagen has debuted its all-new Taos. It excessively stands retired with plentifulness of abstraction and features. Which of these SUVs is the amended buy? Edmunds' experts compared them to find out.

ENGINES AND FUEL ECONOMY

Part of what makes the Taos and Trailblazer truthful appealing is their comparatively bully substance system that doesn't travel astatine the outgo of power. Both models connection businesslike turbocharged engines and are disposable with all-wheel drive. The Volkswagen uses a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine making 158 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. It's punchy and makes the Taos consciousness speedy and fun.

Chevrolet offers 2 engines for the Trailblazer, but neither 1 is arsenic almighty arsenic the Taos' engine. The basal motor is simply a 1.2-liter three-cylinder motor with 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft. Bundled with all-wheel thrust oregon modular connected prime trim levels is simply a 1.3-liter three-cylinder motor with 155 horsepower and 174 lb-ft.

EPA estimates for some vehicles scope betwixt 28 and 31 mpg successful combined city/highway driving, depending connected if all-wheel drive is equipped. These figures are mean for this class. Yet successful Edmunds' real-world substance system testing, the Trailblazer underperformed comparative to its rivals, portion the Taos exceeded its EPA estimate. Given its bump successful show and substance economy, the Taos gets the motion here.

Winner: Volkswagen Taos

FEATURES AND VALUE

A basal 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer starts astatine $22,795 with destination, a bully spot little than the $24,190 for a basal 2022 Volkswagen Taos. For that price, you get a akin premix of modular features specified arsenic Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, alloy wheels and an in-car subscription-based Wi-Fi hotspot. Higher trims connection much convenience features specified arsenic heated beforehand seats, automatic clime control, and proximity keyless introduction with push-button start.

A fewer aspects, however, assistance the Trailblazer basal out. For one, Chevy offers the Trailblazer Activ trim that comes with somewhat much rugged styling and off-road capabilities. There's thing comparable for the Taos. Also, the Trailblazer comes modular with much precocious operator aids, including guardant collision mitigation and lane keeping assist. Overall, the Trailblazer offers a small much for a small less.

Winner: Chevrolet Trailblazer

DRIVING AND COMFORT

The Taos has lone a fewer much horsepower than the Trailblazer, but those German horses look peculiarly strong. In Edmunds' testing, the Taos covered 0-60 mph successful 7.8 seconds, importantly quicker than the 9.4 seconds it took for the Trailblazer with its upgraded engine. That makes the Taos 1 of the quickest vehicles successful its class, portion the Trailblazer is lone astir average. When you person a car afloat of radical oregon cargo, oregon request to marque a speedy walk of a slow-moving vehicle, that other powerfulness makes a difference.

There's little of a quality successful day-to-day driving. The Chevrolet's transmission shifts much smoothly, portion the Volkswagen's brakes marque it easier to travel to a creaseless halt each time. Ride prime and wide interior comfortableness are precise similar, and their tiny size makes them casual to parkland and maneuver. It's close, but the Taos' flimsy borderline successful show sets the 2 isolated successful this category.

Winner: Volkswagen Taos

INTERIOR, CARGO AND TECHNOLOGY

Again, it's adjacent betwixt these 2 SUVs. Both models diagnostic comfy and spacious interiors, with much rider and cargo abstraction than astir different SUVs successful this class. The Taos takes the pb connected cargo abstraction down the rear seats—a maximum of 27.9 cubic feet versus 25.3 cubic feet—but has a small little rear legroom than the Trailblazer. Storage for tiny items similar phones and h2o bottles is simply a spot amended successful the Volkswagen.

It's a likewise adjacent telephone for either modular oregon disposable exertion features. Wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration is modular successful the Trailblazer and each Taos trims but the basal S. You'll besides find aggregate USB ports and disposable wireless charging pads to link and complaint your devices. The Taos offers a integer instrumentality sheet and an optional built-in navigation system, 2 features not disposable connected the Trailblazer.

Winner: Volkswagen Taos

EDMUNDS SAYS:

The Taos earns the head-to-head triumph acknowledgment to its flimsy advantages successful powerfulness and technology. But some of these models are among the champion successful the people and are fantabulous picks for an extra-small SUV.

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