First, each comes powered by a 4-cylinder engine that pumps out an impressive 184 lb-ft of torque, giving you some extra oomph, whether you’re traveling on or off the roads.

In both crossovers, you’ll also have a standard 8-speed automatic transmission that delivers guess-free shifting for a smooth ride as well as available All-Wheel Drive (AWD) systems. However, that's where the similarities end.

With 4MOTION® All-Wheel Drive in the VW Taos, Active Control will be by your side. This provides multiple driving modes from which you can select to elevate your performance, depending on where you’re headed:

Although the Toyota RAV4 comes with customizable driving modes, if you want off-road specific ones, you’ll want to opt for the separate Multi-Terrain Select feature—which is not included with available AWD.

Both the Volkswagen and the Toyota crossovers show off spacious interiors by offering seating for up to five as well as cargo areas that span to over 65 cubic feet when the rear seats are folded down.

However, your rear-seat passengers will have slightly more room to stretch their legs in the VW Taos. This model offers 37.9 inches of rear legroom, while the Toyota RAV4 offers 37.8 inches.

Passengers sitting in the VW Taos will have some extra headroom in both the front and rear seats.

The cabins of the Volkswagen Taos and the Toyota RAV4 offer accommodating environments that will have you taking the long way home. These crossovers share a lot of top-notch features inside, such as:

If you’re looking for a touch of luxury, however, the Volkswagen Taos may be the way to go. It comes standard with a push-button start system and offers three different upholstery choices: cloth, CloudTex, and leather.

As for the RAV4, push-button start is only an available feature, and you won’t find a leather seating option in any of its trims.