Compare the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta to the 2022 Volkswagen Taos

Volkswagen has built its reputation on offering vehicles designed deliberately for the common people. The Volkswagen Jetta is one example of the German automaker’s people-oriented design and has long been a staple of the company's offerings. First introduced to the automotive market in 1979, the Jetta offers a unique combination of affordability, style, and practicality.

When choosing a new Volkswagen, it stands to reason that the Jetta, the company's long-standing sedan, would be one of the most affordable models. However, the all-new Volkswagen Taos subcompact SUV crossover is turning heads with its low monthly payments and great value. As a subcompact crossover, the Taos offers the greater utility of an SUV while maintaining the benefits of the small car driving experience.

Jetta Vs. Taos: An Overview

When comparing the Volkswagen Taos to the Volkswagen Jetta, it's clear that one is a crossover and the other a sedan. However, with its similar wheelbase length, the Taos feels more like the Jetta when driving than many SUVs.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta

When comparing to vehicles of its class, many Ohio car buyers are attracted by how much the Jetta offers for the money. With low monthly lease payments or low monthly loan payments, the VW Jetta is a great choice if you need a compact, efficient vehicle with many bells and whistles for an affordable price.

Available Trims

The Volkswagen Jetta has four trim levels: S, Sport, SE, and SEL.

Volkswagen Jetta S

As the base-level model, the S comes with fewer features than the other Jetta trims. That being said, the S is a great option for drivers looking to save some money. Some standard features on the Volkswagen Jetta S include 16-inch wheels, LED front and rear lights, cloth seating upholstery, and an eight-inch interactive display on the center console.

Volkswagen Jetta Sport

The Sport trim adds several features to the base S, including 17-inch alloy wheels, a black headliner, and black exterior model accents. The Sport also adds an XDS differential lock. Originally designed for the Volkswagen Golf, this feature helps correct understeering when quickly taking turns.

Volkswagen Jetta SE

Each model level adds features, and the SE adds several comfort features. These include heated front seats, a six-way adjustable driver seat, and leatherette upholstery, among other things.

Volkswagen Jetta SEL

The last trim in the lineup is the SEL, which takes its turn to shine by adding some nice luxury features such as real leather upholstery, heated seats, ventilated seats, a sunroof, a 10-inch digital instrument cluster, premium Beats Audio integration, and wireless device charging.

Engine and Performance of the Volkswagen Jetta

Under the hood of the Volkswagen Jetta, you will find a 1.5-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine that can produce up to 158 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The Volkswagen Jetta doesn’t sacrifice fuel efficiency in the name of engine power. Its fuel efficiency is competitive, ranking slightly higher than the Taos with an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 31 mpg in the city and 41 on the highway.

VW Jetta’s Interior, Cargo Space, and Design

The Volkswagen Jetta provides a significant amount of space for drivers for a vehicle of its size, with a comfortable amount of front head room, front leg room, and front shoulder room. Passengers won’t be squished, either: They, too, get to enjoy plenty of rear head room, rear leg room, and rear shoulder room. In addition to the driver and passengers, there is also plenty of cargo space in the trunk of the vehicle.

In addition to the spaciousness of the Volkswagen Jetta, there are also plenty of connectivity features. Volkswagen vehicles have long been praised for their interior design, and the Jetta is no exception. With just the right touches of flair and style, Dayton, OH drivers get a serene place to spend their commute or head out with friends.

Technology and Safety in the Jetta

Every Volkswagen Jetta comes with a responsive touchscreen infotainment system loaded with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability, Volkswagen Car-Net, a subscription-based mobile hotspot, and more. Features like wireless charging are available on the top two trims.

Each Jetta also comes with a variety of standard driver-assistance features, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and more.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos

New in 2022 to the Volkswagen lineup is the Volkswagen Taos, a subcompact crossover SUV that is great for drivers looking for a little more room than the Jetta without a significant jump in price.

Available Trims

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos comes in three different trims: S, SE, and SEL.

Volkswagen Taos S

The Volkswagen Taos S is the base model with a starting MSRP of $20,365. While the S is the base model, it still comes with plenty of features that Ohio drivers would love to have in a new car, including Volkswagen’s 8-inch Digital Cockpit display, two USB-C ports, a four-speaker sound system, push-button start, a 6.5" touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, VW Car-Net with a Wi-Fi hotspot available if you subscribe, a rearview camera, LED daytime running lights, 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, roof rails, and more. Additionally, all-wheel drive models get an extra bonus, receiving heated seats, heated side mirrors, and heated windshield washer nozzles.

Volkswagen Taos SE

As the midrange trim model, the Volkswagen Taos SE includes additional features such as an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with voice control, a six-speaker sound system, wireless phone charging, three USB-C ports, a three-month trial of SiriusXM, leatherette or cloth seats, an eight-way power driver’s seat with lumbar support, a leatherette multi-function steering wheel, privacy glass, and more.

Additional safety features include a Forward Collision Warning system with Autonomous Braking and a Blind Spot Monitor.

Volkswagen Taos SEL

The top-of-the-line Volkswagen Taos SEL includes additional standard features such as IQ.DRIVE driver assistance technology, VW Digital Cockpit Pro with 10.25" display, navigation, Dynamic Road Sign Display, Adaptive Front Lighting System, rain-sensing wipers, LED headlights, illuminated front grille, and more.

In the interior of the Volkswagen Taos, you can find heated leather seats, a heated steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, an eight-speaker BeatsAudio sound system, a 10-color programable ambient lighting system, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and ventilated front seats.

Engine and Performance of the Taos

The subcompact 2022 Volkswagen Taos is powered by a 1.5L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that outputs an impressive 158 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. These numbers are more than enough to see the Taos race down the road when you want it to. However, Taos also has an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 31 MPG combined, which is perfect for both commuting and weekend trips.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos boasts adaptive 4Motion all-wheel drive as an available option for all trim levels. This all-wheel drive system helps optimize performance, as well as different driving modes, including snow, off-road, and on-road. When your hands are on the steering wheel, you can be sure that you are going to have a smooth and comfortable ride.

VW Taos’s Interior, Cargo Space, and Design

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos is also an impressive choice when it comes to interior design and space. While it is a subcompact crossover, it has plenty of room for the driver, with all of the front head room, front shoulder room, and front leg room you could ask for in a new car.

But it's not just the front that gets plenty of space. Passengers in the back seat can also expect plenty of comfort. In fact, there is more than three feet of rear legroom—perfect for long trips with the family.

Additionally, the Taos can carry quite a bit of cargo, allowing plenty of room for suitcases on road trips or bags on a shopping trip! In fact, with the rear seats down, the Volkswagen Taos offers 66 cubic feet of storage space.

Technology and Safety in the Taos

The Volkswagen Taos boasts modern connectivity features like an in-car Wi-Fi hotspot, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, as well as safety features such as forward collision alerts, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alerts, adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assist, parking sensors, and more.

Volkswagen knows that the safety of you and your passengers is paramount, which is why you can also find safety features such as Volkswagen’s Automatic Post-Collision Braking System. When a primary collision is detected by the airbag sensors, the vehicle automatically brakes to help prevent a secondary collision.

Both the Volkswagen Jetta and Taos are Great: Which to Choose?

Both the Taos and the Jetta are vehicles of the people. They have ample room for Ohio drivers and their families for a trip around town, not to mention all of the sleek components that one expects of a modern car.

Even when it comes to price, both of the vehicles are pretty comparable. For that reason, the Taos really impresses. It offers all of the functionality of the Jetta at a similar price with plenty of additional space in the vehicle for cargo and minimal bulk added to the exterior. Additionally, with only a slightly more expensive MSRP and a comparable fuel economy, you won’t pay much more for the Taos than you would for the affordable Jetta.

As many drivers move from sedans to crossovers, Volkswagen has offered the perfect compact sedan alternative in the VW Taos.

The Volkswagen Jetta and Volkswagen Taos at Evans Volkswagen in Dayton, OH

Whether you are behind the steering wheel of a Volkswagen Taos or a Jetta, you are sure to enjoy all of the performance, design, price, and technology that VW cars have to offer. With four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, you can select the best powertrain for you and your family, not to mention the standard or available safety features like adaptive cruise control, parking sensors, and more, all for an affordable MSRP.

At Evans Volkswagen in Dayton, Ohio, we have a great selection of new and used cars available for sale. We are certain to have the perfect vehicle for you and your family in our curated lineup of Volkswagens, Volvos, and BMWs, all for a great price.

If you’re interested in a new or pre-owned Volkswagen vehicle, check out our website on your favorite browser to see our currently available stock, visit our dealership to explore our vehicles in person, or take one for a test drive at the dealership or at home with Evans Cars Direct. We can’t wait to help you!