Compare the2024 Volkswagen TaosVS 2024 Lexus UX

Both the Taos and UX have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Taos has Rear Traffic Alert (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The UX’s Rear Cross-Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Taos and the UX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive and rear parking sensors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Volkswagen Taos is safer than the Lexus UX:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Volkswagen Taos is safer than the Lexus UX:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The Taos’ corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the UX’s (7 vs. 6 years).

Volkswagen pays for scheduled maintenance on the Taos for 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Lexus pays for maintenance for the UX (2/20,000 vs. 1/10,000).

There are almost 3 times as many Volkswagen dealers as there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Taos’ warranty.

Both the Taos and UX have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. The Taos has a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

The Taos FWD’s standard fuel tank has 2.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the UX (13.2 vs. 10.6 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Taos AWD’s standard fuel tank has 3.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the UX (14.5 vs. 10.6 gallons).

For better stopping power the Taos’ front brake rotors are larger than those on the UX:

The Taos stops shorter than the UX:

The Taos 4Motion’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the UX’s 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Taos 4Motion offers optional 19-inch wheels. The UX’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

The Taos has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the UX; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Taos’ wheelbase is 1.6 inches longer than on the UX (105.5 inches vs. 103.9 inches).

The Volkswagen Taos may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 200 to 300 pounds less than the Lexus UX.

The design of the Volkswagen Taos amounts to more than styling. The Taos has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .31 Cd. That is lower than the UX (.33) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the Taos get better fuel mileage.

The Taos has 9.1 cubic feet more passenger volume than the UX (99.5 vs. 90.4).

The Taos has 3.5 inches more front headroom, 1.5 inches more front shoulder room, 3.5 inches more rear headroom, 4.8 inches more rear legroom and 2.3 inches more rear shoulder room than the UX.

The Taos has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the UX (27.9 vs. 17.1 cubic feet).

The Taos has a higher standard payload capacity than the UX (948 vs. 890 lbs.).

The power windows standard on both the Taos and the UX have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Taos is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The UX prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Taos’ rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The UX’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the Taos to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The UX doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The Taos has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the UX.

The Volkswagen Taos outsold the Lexus UX by almost six to one during 2022.