Just picked up a '23 Taos SEL, coming from BMW, I am extremely impressed with the Taos esepcially the AWD system, technology, seat comfort, and front and rear space. Some people will always be married to the Asian brands, mostly becase they are simply much cheaper, but the technology and drive/comfort of the Taos is propbably best in class at this point. I'm not sure I would even consider a Taos an extra small or a subcompact SUV, the inside and outside size is pushing into compact SUV territory. The only complaint people have on the Taos is the plastic trim on the rear seats and with the AWD/DSG models, you can feel the shifts more as it is a sport-oriented transmission. BOth of these are non-issues to me.

@MrVictoria69

10 ай бұрын

I agree. Who cares about the backseats anyway about the plastic. Most of the time this is a 2 person Costco back and forth machine. I'm pulling the trigger for sure cornflower blue.

@evannussbaum1863

7 ай бұрын

I own one as well and I don’t think people seem to understand that the slightly undesirable reliability and material choice do not reflect build quality. I have not found one surface in mine that creaks or moves when you press hard on it. It is a very solid vehicle with heavy doors and a very safe feel throughout the car. Reminds me of much more expensive German cars, and I would much rather a better built plastic interior than nappa leather that feels like it is going to fall apart in 5 years. Plus… 7 year warranty so nothing to worry about in the reliability department as well. Wonderful vehicle

We actually own both the 2022 TAOS FWD and 2023 HONDA HRV AWD. I love both cars for different reasons! We’ve had the TAOS for 1 year (it’s my daily) and the HRV for 3 weeks. The TAOS can get up to 40 mpg on the highway. HRV too early to tell best MPG yet. I was surprised/disappointed at the EPA numbers on the HRV… You are spot on about the driving experience in both cars, no doubt. I’m very impressed with the HRV ride and handling! We are Honda loyalists; but I’ve enjoyed the VW experience very much. Bottom line; both cars serve the exact purpose we purchased them for and looking forward to seeing how the stack up over time.

@paoloochangco6072

Жыл бұрын

own a VW w EA211 engine. love driving it, just needs better NVH. better than base benz ergo, could upgrade 2 audi.

@Roxor_44

Жыл бұрын

Great information

Just purchased the 2022 taos and absolutely love everything about it. We went with the fully loaded version and it really delivers in every category. Would definitely recommend it over the other vehicles in its class. Definitely not a fan of the CVT transmissions.

Thanks for showing us this. Not having auto shows keeps a lot of us in the dark on "new" models. Nice to see Honda is stepping it up. I mean look at this thing. You bring attention to the deficits.

But look how clean the dash looks without today's tablet glued on the dash.

HRV IS A EXCELLENT AND BRILLIANT PRODUCT LOL.❤. 1.CX30 .2.HRV 23 .3.COROLLA CROSS .TOP 3 BEST.

As always, there is a cost to everything. You get more features than the HR-V but at the expense of cost cutting everything else. Also, $30,000 and not even single zone automatic climate?

Now that you’ve sat in both, how do the seats compare to the new HRV? I know the VW has lumbar and the hrv does not, but apparently the hrv has updated seats to help with the long car sides. Tnx !

I test drove Taos front Wheel It drives very smooth and not high off the ground is the best value by far out of all of them you do not need four-wheel-drive in this Just get winter tires up north

Great review and helpful - I'm leaning towards the Base Taos if I can find one!

it's funny to hear you call the HR-V more premium, but you're right. honda really upped their game with the HR-V changes.

@srobeck77

Жыл бұрын

Bad gas mileage & skimpy interior features on the hrv is really swaying me away from it.

Reminds me of the country Laos because this model name rhymes with this country 🇱🇦

@tinhinnh

2 жыл бұрын

Taos at my house with a mouse in the south

Am driving a '22 SE FWD which has the ZF 8 sp torque converter trans, which is always in the right gear and extremely impressive. The gas mileage is as you posted 36ish short trips but anything over 15 miles gets me into 41 even 43 numbers with the ZF. Yep regarding a bit of road noise and turbo lag, the lumbar adjustment on the Taos is terrific, the seats hold but are roomy, a former GTi driver commenting here but a bit older now. Fine all around vision. Very pleased. Great Honda interior, but the schnozz, geez what are they thinking with that...nice work thanks.

Wish they would just bring back the Golf or give the GTI physical controls! Don't need another boring crossover.

How much do the parts cost for the Volkswagen? I wish people would look at TCO (total cost of ownership) for vehicles, they would make better financial decisions.

i bought '23 ES model a few weeks ago and I love it. it's a little jerky off the line sometimes, but otherwise, it's great.

HRV because of reliability

Just purchased a 2023 VW Toas over the HR-V; Not a fan of the name Toas. but it does have heated steering wheel and seats (must have in Colorado). the adaptive cruise works great during rush hour traffic. Like the MPG for my daily commute and the large side mirrors; my Dislikes is the visors that are so small and often find it hard to block the morning sunshine; no capless gas filler; No brake-hold while at a stop. My previous daily commuter was a 2021 VW Jetta which has Great MPG of 40 but everything else was a disappointment.

Curious to see which would win in a 10 year driving history, in terms of reliability & maintenance cost.

@truckerman9836

Жыл бұрын

Honda

I bought a Fwd Taos se it is a very peppy suv, I think the awd and poor tuning of the dsg is letting it down. I have experience some lag but nothing like that, mine I can barely touch the gas without it squealing the tires. I used to be a big Honda person but feel they are letting us down with the new stuff and a lot of issues popping up on them long term. Plus poor mpg on the new HR-V is unacceptable as the Cr-v is way more efficient makes no sense. Interior quality the hard plastic don't bother me, it that or weird feeling materials that don hold up usually. This is the 6th one in our family, so I guess we're crazy.

If the HR-V comes next year with the 180 HP Hybrid, second row vents and USB´s? I think it´s then the best in his class.

@KirkKreifels

2 жыл бұрын

Let's see what the Corolla Cross hybrid offers.

@srobeck77

Жыл бұрын

The worse gas mileage in class is the biggest obstacle for me.

@Slime_Cruz

Жыл бұрын

They should throw the accord 2.0t engine in it 🔥 hrv type R lol

It's a shame VW plays the game of always staying under the Audi version ie the Q3. And then the Q3 does the same with it's bigger brother Q5. I'd like to see both the Q3 and Taos have a more powerful option. For the Q3 something like the S3 and the Taos with a GTI engine. That colour makes me happy though. Nice!! Esp now that everybody buys a shade of grey.

Thank you for the info, etc.. I like the VW, I own a Jetta turbo (2014): and used to own old VWs in the past (Karmann Ghia, bus, etc). I will test the Taos asap.

You may not be able to option an HRV above 30K, but the Honda dealers will definitely make up for that with the added dealer markup. I would take the Taos over the HRV. Given how slow the HRV is vs. the MPG I just can't forgive that. For the Taos I'd probably get an SE FWD without the panoramic sunroof. Sunroofs (especially big ones) rattle. Plus that one does let in a lot of heat from the sun since the shade doesn't totally block the rays.

VWs always light up like a Christmas tree 🎄

@jonathanvaldez6565

Жыл бұрын

It’s always good to have mechanical knowledge so you can fix it yourself 😁

Bottom line you get what you pay for the cvt in the HR-V is not good at all and the cheap materials in the Taos’s interior doesn’t do it any favors shop wisely.

I LIKE THIS MOSTLY A GOOD LOOKING VEHICLE WITH BASIC STUFF

VW Taos for me !

Even if the Honda only had an AM/FM/CD and 2 speakers it would be the better vehicle because of reliability.

@joskjj3625

2 жыл бұрын

Reliability? Yeah I don’t know about that Honda reliability has tanked in the past couple of years rivaling Nissan on who can make the worst car

@Blank00

2 жыл бұрын

@@joskjj3625 Honda reliability is recovering though, and Honda remains better than VW

@KardiFan2000

2 жыл бұрын

@@joskjj3625 I'm a Honda tech....the more "simple" the model tends to be (like the HRV) the more reliable it is. It's the fully-loaded tech-heavy models that have the most reliability issues (the current Odyssey is the worst offender, closely followed by the Pilot).

@zachlacomb378

2 жыл бұрын

The new Hrv is soo slow 😂

Can you put the VW body on the CRV? Looks so much better!

VW? Difficult topic. Thank you Kirk.

Much rather have older Golf! How quite is this vehicle? Old Golf was a very quite car😎

The Taos is a strange creature. It’s smaller than the Tiguan, and is clearly more cheaply made than the Tiguan. It doesn’t drive any better than the Tiguan. But it’s just as expensive as the current Tiguan. The only thing it beats the Tiguan in is fuel economy, by a lot. Other than that, what’s the point? The HRV is another oddball. Seems like a very competent compact crossover (no, I’m not calling it a sub-compact, it’s too big for that). But what exactly is the benefit compared to a CRV? I would have said maybe it’s more fun to drive than the CRV, but 11 second 0-60 doesn’t sound like a lot of fun. But at least it’s less expensive than the CRV. So we are comparing two semi-compact SUVs that are outshone by their bigger siblings.

@TFSIChristmas

2 жыл бұрын

Idk this is why I dont really like cars. Painful to the head.

12:00 "... and if VW keeps sending me cars I'm not asking for..." LOL I guess its a good problem to have. Just having new cars sent to your door. Not sure id say no either. You know, unless its a Daihatsu Charade... keep it.

That makes me wonder how long until the soft materials in HRV will start to dry rot?

@tmr3927

2 жыл бұрын

What do you mean?

@TFSIChristmas

2 жыл бұрын

If its that Honda¿ LOL yh very realistic comment.

33K? I paid 9900 for my Honda Crosstour four years ago and it is terrific!

@srobeck77

Жыл бұрын

100% u did not buy a brand new Crossover for $10k. So basically u had bought a 5-8 year vehicle and compared to a new car price. Very moronic….

@robertbandusky9565

Жыл бұрын

@@srobeck77 as I always do sir😎my 1973 auto runs better than most new computer chips😎 Still have mucho dinero in banco🤣

@srobeck77

Жыл бұрын

@@robertbandusky9565 it literally doesnt. Not to mention the lack of modern safety features. I think u been smoking that refer bowl back in the 70's way too much.

@jonathanvaldez6565

Жыл бұрын

@@srobeck77 lmfaooooo “refer bowl” yoooooo

@srobeck77

Жыл бұрын

@@jonathanvaldez6565 idk bruh, was anything i said incorrect?

i really like the exterior of the taos more than the hr-v. however, i think i kind of like the design of the hr-v's interior more than the taos, but i like the features inside of the taos's interior. the digital cockpit and especially the cockpit pro, ambient lighting on sel, panoramic roof, and rear seat amenities such as vents usbs and center armrest really get me on the taos. but the biggest thing i have against the hr-v is the powertrain. that absolutely HORRID powertrain kills me. 13 seconds 0-60 is what real owners are getting. not only that, but the fuel economy is significantly worse than its competitors and even the bigger, more powerful and faster cr-v. and the cvt... do i even have to explain? i mean i know it's a beyond reliable powertrain but that would literally stop me from buying the hr-v in a heartbeat. i feel the taos is a much better value for all the features you get for the money

Nah…not even close competition if you count reliability

Subaru Crosstrek is probably the best in the segment with 182 HP, 0-60 in 8.2 seconds and gets the best AWD. That might change when Corolla Cross Hybrid comes out with more horsepower and gets to 60 quicker while gets good gas mileage, but for now, Subaru Crosstrek is currently the best.

@78elem

2 жыл бұрын

6,7 sec with my Taos with launch control program. Best thing with 4 Motion is it use only when is necessary.And dsg is by far the better tranny on the market ,

@sun0066

2 жыл бұрын

outdated already

I thought Taos would rhyme with Chaos

@lz6364

Жыл бұрын

I don't know why but this comment made me laugh, it's so random in the best way 😂

I have a Tiguan SE/ thinking about going with TAOS or HONDA HR-V …. Still have about a year on lease. The color your reviewing would not be my choice🫣.

The Taos is nice, but VW had much worse potential reliability especially with the turbo. K Tuner can bump the horsepower and torque of the reliable N/A 2.0L engine in the HR-V for about $300. And you brought up several points, especially the price about $6K more for the mid range trim model. Still single zone A/C which is notban issue for me. Lots of people, especially one top reviewers always mentions full panel sunroofs. I don't like sunroofs, snd only one of my cars hsd one and I hardly ever used it but it gave no problems. I would only get it if it came with thecmodel and trim level I got, but a full panel sunroof, reduces structural integrity, with more potential flex, rattles, cover like standard sunroofs, and a hailstorm of fragments of glass should something crash down on it. Years ago my friend and his wife were driving on a freeway, and someone on the overpass lobbed a brick into his windshield. The AWD versions have more maintenance and potential problems and make the vehicle slower, and even the HR-V FWD has independent rear suspension. Unlike the 2022 Honda Civic, the 2023 HR-V has auto start stop. A big plus for me. I don't know if the 2023 Civic still has the auto start/stop, but should at least allow to have it stay shut off in vehicle settings. The Civic is the North American Car Of The Year, and the HR-V, based on the Civic shows. The HRV has the data USB-A at the front, and two USB-C in the console. The USB-A can use a USB thumb/flash drive to play music from. You eill need snd adapter tobuse the USB-C port, or a not easy to find USB-A/USB-C drive that is not common, and with less available storage capacity, 16G in the SanDisk I have never knew they made those. The USB-C ports allows for higher speed charging if the power source provides it. I was going to get the Civic Sport Hatchback but now plan on getting the HR-V Sport, as it suits me even better, for what I want and need. Bith Sport trims are the sweet spot for price appearance, hsndling snd equipment. I prefer the manual adjust seats snd such. Less things to go wrong, or have potentisl problems down the road. And the Sport trim seats are said to ne more comfortable thzn the EX-L and won't burn you in real hot weather. The HR-V is less expensive by skimping and omitting some things, but so does the Taos. I would have only gotten the Sport Touring Hatchback for the Bose Stereo system, leather seats, and some other things, but I can live without those, and use the money saved fir OEM and aftermarket accessories, and to upgrade the stereo speakers and amp with my fsvorite brand Rockford Fosgate, or other comparable brands I like. As far as fuel economy, the difference is minimal for me. Especially, with the FWD and living in Honolulu, HI, I would hardly drive to the outer parts of the island and even that is only about 20 miles either way. I don't go 4 wheeling, so don't need the AWD. The power and speed should be enough fof what I need. There's very few things I would ask for at this pricepoint besides what I plan to add, like OCD stuff such as the map pocket behind the left/driver's seat only few cars have now.

@KirkKreifels

2 жыл бұрын

There will only be 3 USB A ports. USB C is only on pre production. Supply chain killed the USB C for at least the first year of the new HR-V

@jjacob25101

2 жыл бұрын

@@KirkKreifels i didn't hear that, but no biggie for me if the rear ones are USB-A. I top off my phone most of the time and have a big high speed power bank, and I don't know if the charge output is faster than my high speed power bank, or the high speed USB-C AC chargers at 20W+. If they are not, the USB-C will make no difference.

@tengamangapiu

8 ай бұрын

Does the HR-V come with ventilated seats ? Like Taos SEL ? Specially for warm weather like Hawaii.

@jjacob25101

8 ай бұрын

@@tengamangapiu Some cars may have heated seats, but very few but upscale cars have ventilated seats, so don't expect them in Civics or the HR-V. I'm not sure about the top trim new Accords or SUVs. Maybe Acura, but those can be pricey, especially if not standard equipment, and you order options, or the car at the dealership has options. If I got a loaded Integra A Spec with the options and accessories I want, it would be $49K before the dealer markup..About $6,0K for the Type S or Smaller RDX SUV, even more for the RDX, depending on equipment.

This or Forester? 🧐

I would take the Taos alittle pricey but much better looking. I actually looked at a Taos Sel very handsome suv but for 2 grand more bought an R line Tiguan much more upscale then Taos

VW is terrible if you own for years out of warranty. The ones built in US are junk. Not sure of Honda CRV- Honda makes great engines but I shy away from turbos. Bought a Venza in May and daughter loves it.

@damilolaakanni

2 жыл бұрын

It's sad because some Volkswagens were pretty reliable up till the late 90's/early 2000's. Especially the 2.0 ABA engine and the 1.9 TDI. The 2.5 five cylinder that came in the later Golfs (known in the US as the Rabbit) and Jettas were also pretty reliable as well. But that was when interior quality dropped significantly. It seems they have improved the interior quality from what I'm seeing in this video, but now reliability has dropped significantly.

Yes…it is

HRV is way better. Although both engines are pathetic. Also how are you not gonna give us auto climate in 2023?!😬

This is skoda karoq/seat arona in a drag….

Greetings from southern Ontario Canada I would prefer the honda hrv as most vw vehicles in Ontario are desirable by thieves

I believe this car was designed and engineered for China(called the Tharu). Not made for the autobahn like the Mk1 Tiguan was.

KIA Seltos or Niro

@KirkKreifels

2 жыл бұрын

Really want to drive the new Niro PHEV

1:02 The back is terrible, it looks far to busy with all the badges. Two center badges and two flanking bades. Dear lord. Just to much, poorly placed. 😑

@aurorajones8481

2 жыл бұрын

Id just delete the bottom decals. I mean if I cared. Which owning this thing I wouldn't. Its a baby buggy I get it.

VW feel so solid. HRV just feel flimsy.

I'll take the Honda for reliability in long run ,my opinion

Wouldn’t buy any of them. The hrv is dangerously slow, doesn’t have rear ac vents, no panoramic sunroof, no rear USB ports, etc. the Taos has bad build quality and reliability, but has a panoramic sunroof and rear vents, but 3,000 more. The cx5 and rav4 walk all over them for a similar price.

@tinhinnh

2 жыл бұрын

always a price overlap with every models. that rav4 and cx5 are mid level trims

Also, the Taos is not really that powerful. The 1.5 TSI turbo engine only outputs 158 bhp, the same as the Z20C2 found on the HR-V.

@KirkKreifels

2 жыл бұрын

way more torque. Feels somewhat quick to 40 mph unlike the HR-V

@Sacto1654

2 жыл бұрын

@@KirkKreifels But I don't trust the reliability of Volkswagen.

I'm confused/irritated with german cars seemingly getting great gas milage for the same power. There's no reason a non-hybrid SUV with AWD should be getting that high mpg. Is it all down to the transmission? Is the AWD system minor/unreinforced enough that they can cut down on weight? Do they just shoot the engine compression sky high and trade off long term reliability? VW isn't alone either, BMW base 2 series sedans seemingly defy physics. I have to believe it's at the detriment of long term reliability.

@srobeck77

Жыл бұрын

So u think because a car has a better engineered engine to get superior gas mileage, that means it’s poor quality? Gotta say, this is really poor logic….

@markcoopers1930

Жыл бұрын

@@srobeck77 Come off it dude. It's a physics equation. You can't have weight & power & efficiency when it comes to gas engines. Modern turbos claim this because their normal compression is so low. But really once you're in the boost the efficiency is in the single digits. The real key player is VW's transmission, not their engine. It allows the turbo engine to stay out of the boost by constantly switching to a different gear. Which leads to a horrible driving experience. If the engine was actually "better" then they wouldn't have sky high repair bills for coil replacement, carbon buildup (specifically caused by staying out of boost and getting the good fuel economy), and a host of electrical issues. The closest to actually achieving all three of the pick two scenario is Honda's turbo engines.

@srobeck77

Жыл бұрын

@@markcoopers1930 so ya, you left out "technological innovations" into your "physics" narrative. Notice the appropriate use of air quotes into you interpretive "physics"?

@markcoopers1930

Жыл бұрын

@@srobeck77 Diesel-Gate. Is that the kind of "innovation" you're looking for? Or maybe the kind of innovation that's needed to choose to stir up a 2 month old comment after people can't pile on for such ridiculous and ill informed statements. It's best to leave the engineering to people who know what they're talking about. Just stating that there is "technological innovation" isn't the same as knowing what's going on. There's a bit more to it than gas makes the big square metal thing on wheels go vroom vroom. Heaven help the home that's being "fixed" with the help of all of those KZread vids btw. Real confident that will turn out well.

LOL, vented seats, digital cock pit, and NO rear lift gate------WTH..........even 20,000 cross has that feature, thats EMBARRASSING!!

Outside of the engine and transmission, the HR-V is better.

@sun0066

2 жыл бұрын

😂😂😂 just little details

@srobeck77

Жыл бұрын

U left out gas mileage, rear vents, & charging (how the HRv totally neglects the back passengers). Ya but besides that…

The Volkswagen better? Sure, better at depreciating, better at falling apart, much better at being built in such a way as to have greatly inflated repair bills. In other words; a cheap piece of euro trash

@joskjj3625

2 жыл бұрын

Okay Japanese car fanboy with the so called “Japanese reliability” hey if it weren’t for Toyota stellar reliability your lame Japanese cars would be a joke

Honda HRV all day long. The cost of ownership with the VW will far and exceed the Honda. German cars are very expensive to keep on the road from experience.

@TFSIChristmas

2 жыл бұрын

Id disagree base on my experience too. Peace.

@scottbeck7227

2 жыл бұрын

@@TFSIChristmas Have you owned both? I"ve owned a Porsche 911, BMW 5 Series,Z3 and two Honda's. It cost 10X's more to maintain German vs. almost nothing on the Honda's . Plus the German car depreciation is a killer. Your very lucky if you have had a different experience. Best of luck!!

@TFSIChristmas

2 жыл бұрын

@@scottbeck7227 I drive a Skoda, much cheaper to maintain than the Kei Toyota (cost millions of engine repair and broken AC) what we had was total junk. Towed many times when it was brand new. Many oil leakage when I was younger I thought it was gas. Japanese cars could be very dangerous. We have about same with Hondas but less wprse than any Toyota made in Japan. The better made Toyota is not made in Japan. I want different practical cars from other countries as a European is what I prefer. I don’t like Noodle language cars and small kei anything Japanese made cars.

I’ll take the Honda over the advantages of the VW

IM 60 YEARS OLD DONT NEED A LOT A LOT LOT OF CRAP ON A CAR

I like the color. I dont like the thing. Id vote HR-V with my money.

@TFSIChristmas

2 жыл бұрын

Nah I go opposite of ur final statement.

I don't want to name any names, but the title of this video is a direct rip off of the style of one of your KZread competitors, which I am sure you know and have met. Not sure if you did it on purpose or not, but if I were him I would likely be annoyed by this.

To answer your title, a VW anything is always worse than a Honda anything. Go buy any VW and give it a couple years before you realize what a raging POS any VW is. They're great fun while they last, but it won't be for long.

From a mechanics POV these are a bucket of crap!... The laundry list of known problems is long & very expensive, DON'T buy this crap if you want reliability!

@MrCarguy427

Жыл бұрын

How so?

I disagree, it is a German car and it didn't cost $100,000; so you know those tips are fake.

@KirkKreifels

2 жыл бұрын

Even Mercedes AMG models have fake enclosures over their hidden tips

@kevinbarry71

2 жыл бұрын

@@KirkKreifels it just shows you, the Germans just love a stupid idea

@joskjj3625

2 жыл бұрын

What’s so special about and overrated and overhyped Japanese rust bucket car

I stay away from VW no thank you

Taos is made in Mexico so it's not even a German vehicle, it's refried beans with a side of schnitzel I'll take the Honda

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