The 2022 Volkswagen Taos is a decidedly German take on the affordable small SUV, while the 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer is America’s answer. Here’s how they compare.
2022 Volkswagen Taos
2022 Volkswagen Taos Starting Price: $22,995 | Price yours or View listings near you
Above Average: Geared 7- and 8-speed automatic transmissions instead of a CVT; good passenger space; standard digital instrumentation; available all-wheel drive.
Below Average: Active safety features cost extra on base model; S trim’s small touchscreen; pricey top trim.
Consensus: The 2022 Volkswagen Taos is VW’s entry-level SUV. Although small outside, it’s roomy inside. Just one engine is offered — a 1.5-liter turbo 4-cylinder.
2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer
2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer Starting Price: $21,600 | Price yours or View listings near you
Above Average: Inexpensive; available all-wheel drive; good looks; two engine and transmission options; good standard safety features.
Below Average: Some cheap interior materials; no serious off-road chops; small seats; tight backseat; 3-cylinder engines underwhelm.
Consensus: The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer continues its reimagined mission as a compact urban runabout with sporty looks, good safety features, and decent city driving manners, all in the low $20,000s.
Taos vs. Trailblazer: Small Wonders
Volkswagen Taos
The Taos is a new entry and VW’s smallest crossover. Although its design apes the look of the big-boy Atlas, the Taos is nearly a foot shorter than a Tiguan. Despite the small footprint, the blocky design yields good interior space.
The seats are pleasantly up off the floor, and the Taos offers adequate room for adults, front and rear. Cargo space is pretty good, too, with 27.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats (24.9 with all-wheel drive); folding the seatbacks expands that to 65.9 (60.2 with AWD).
A 1.5-liter turbo 4-cylinder is the sole engine and makes a credible 158 horsepower. With front-wheel drive, it’s paired with an 8-speed automatic, while the AWD version gets a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic. EPA city/highway estimates are 28/36 mpg (FWD) and 25/32 mpg (AWD). Acceleration is sprightly around town, slightly less so on the highway. The suspension tuning is firm yet still comfortable, but the over-boosted steering could use improvement.
Taos comes in S, SE, and SEL trim levels. Forward collision warning with automatic braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control all cost extra on the S. The SE adds the first three but still charges extra for the latter two. All are included on the SEL.
All Taos trims get a digital instrument cluster, an unusual feature in this class. The infotainment display is just 6.5 inches in the S; other trims get an 8-inch unit as well as wireless smartphone mirroring and wireless charging.
Chevrolet Trailblazer
The Trailblazer is a strong value choice in its segment with a low starting price, good fuel economy, and some good standard features like an intuitive and modern infotainment system.
It comes with a choice of engines and transmissions, with either a 1.2- or 1.3-liter 3-cylinder turbo, delivering a very respectable 29-31 mpg combined. We don’t love the continuously variable transmission (CVT), however, as it can be a bit droning. The 1.3 with all-wheel drive provides better response thanks to its 9-speed automatic.
The Trailblazer is a pleasant SUV to drive around town and on the highway, as long as the road conditions are good. However, when the road gets rough, the ride can get a little bumpy. This is especially true if you get the RS model with the larger 18-inch wheels.
We do appreciate the Trailblazer’s standard suite of safety features, however, and it does come standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Plus the cargo space is not only useful, with fold-flat seats offering storage for items as long as 8 feet, but with all seats folded, there are nearly 55 cubic feet.
The exterior design is a strong suit of the Chevrolet Trailblazer. Taking some cues from the bigger Blazer, it looks decidedly sportier than most of its rivals. The interior design of the Trailblazer is straightforward but doesn’t look boring inside. It will be a breath of fresh air if you prefer a traditional shifter rather than buttons or a knob.
Similarities
Pricing; fuel economy; optional AWD.
2022 Volkswagen Taos Advantages
More compact exterior; better highway fuel economy; geared automatic transmission instead of CVT.
2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer Advantages
Available 9-speed automatic transmission; roomy for its size.
Which is Right for Me?
The 2022 Volkswagen Taos inherits its good looks from the larger VW Atlas. It boasts solid German-inspired road manners and a lively powertrain.
The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer’s fresh looks and solid safety and infotainment tech make it a strong competitor in the small SUV segment.
Ready to buy a VW Taos or Chevy Trailblazer? Shop for one on sale now near you.
| 2022 Volkswagen Taos | 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 1.5-liter turbo I4 | 1.2-liter turbo I3 |
| Horsepower | 158 hp @ 5,500 rpm | 137 hp @ 5000 rpm |
| Torque | 184 lb-ft @ 1,750 rpm | 162 lb-ft @ 2500 rpm |
| Transmission | 8-spd automatic | CVT |
| Fuel Economy | 31 mpg (28 city/36 hwy) | 29 mpg (28 city/31 hwy) |
| Also Available | 7-spd automatic; AWD | 1.3-liter turbo I3; 9-spd automatic |
| Specs | ||
| Basic warranty | 4 years/50,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 4 years/50,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety Rating | n/a | 4 Stars |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 99.2 inches | 103.9 inches |
| Overall Length | 161.3 inches | 173.5 inches |
| Width | 69.5 inches | 71.2 inches |
| Height | 64.8 inches | 62.5 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 36.8 feet | 37.4 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 40.7 inches | 40.0 inches |
| Headroom, Rear | 39.8 inches | 38.4 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 40.1 inches | 40.9 inches |
| Legroom, Rear | 37.9 inches | 39.4 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 56.5 inches | 55.4 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Rear | 55.2 inches | 53.8 inches |
| EPA Passenger Volume | 99.9 cubic feet | 98.2 cu. ft. |
| EPA Cargo Volume | 65.9 cubic feet | 54.4 cu. ft. |