Overview
Subcompact SUVs feed a starvation for house, affordability, and a sure sense of belonging—since virtually everybody drives an SUV lately. Amongst 20 different opponents, the Volkswagen Taos quenches an extra, more moderen shopper longing for parsimonious gas financial system. Out there in front- or all-wheel drive, each Taos hums alongside getting exemplary real-world gas mileage due to a stingy, 158-hp 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The Taos doesn’t provide a hitch to tow with, so we’d recommend transferring as much as the bigger Tiguan SUV for that, however there’s loads of cargo house inside, even with the rear seats in use, to simply deal with grocery obligation. It’s a detailed struggle among the many greatest on this class, so the Tiguan’s low beginning worth and capacious cockpit make it a tempting alternative amongst others such because the Kia Seltos and Chevrolet Trailblazer. Beating its EPA-estimate by 4 mpg, an all-wheel-drive Taos SEL we examined managed an superior 40 mpg throughout our 200-mile, 75-mph freeway fuel-economy take a look at loop. Copious quantities of inside plastic assist preserve the Taos’ worth down whereas making the extra richly-appointed Mazda CX-30 cabin really feel like a miniature luxurious rental as compared with the VW.
What’s New for 2023?
VW’s smallest crossover doesn’t endure a lot change for 2023, nevertheless it does obtain just a few tools enhancements. Volkswagen provides driver help options similar to ahead collision warning with computerized emergency braking and pedestrian monitoring, blind spot monitor, and rear site visitors alert as customary tools throughout all trims. The bottom S will get 18-inch wheels, as a substitute of 17-inchers, on all-wheel-drive fashions. Lastly, the SEL now get a elaborate panoramic sunroof as customary tools.
Pricing and Which One to Purchase
We suggest the mid-level SE model as a result of it offers one of the best worth. It comes customary with 18-inch wheels, blind-spot monitoring, heated entrance seats, distant begin, and wi-fi charging. We might add all-wheel drive for an additional $1450, largely as a result of it replaces the front-drive model’s rear suspension with a extra refined impartial unit. We might additionally go for the IQ.Drive and SE Comfort packages that add adaptive cruise management, computerized high-beams, a heated steering wheel, lane-keeping help, and rain-sensing windshield wipers.
Engine, Transmission, and Efficiency
The Taos is powered by VW’s new turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine. It makes 158 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. Entrance-drive variations function an eight-speed computerized transmission, and all-wheel-drive fashions have a seven-speed dual-clutch computerized. The front-drive and all-wheel-drive Taos even have totally different rear suspensions, with the previous utilizing a torsion-beam setup and the latter utilizing a extra refined multilink design. A set of 17-inch wheels are customary, however 18- and 19-inchers are additionally obtainable. We appreciated the engine’s low-speed thrust, the eight-speed computerized’s unobtrusive operation, and the suspension’s composure on even roads throughout our time with one.
Gas Financial system and Actual-World MPG
The front-drive Taos is rated at 28 mpg within the metropolis and 36 mpg on the freeway, and the all-wheel-drive model is rated at 25 mpg metropolis and 32 freeway. We examined a front-drive Taos on our 75-mph freeway fuel-economy route, and it earned a formidable 40 mpg, beating its EPA estimate. For extra details about the Taos’s gas financial system, go to the EPA’s web site.
Inside, Consolation, and Cargo
Inside, there’s nothing overtly particular concerning the Taos. The design and supplies mimic the fashionable aesthetic discovered on different VW fashions. A completely digital gauge cluster is fitted to each dashboard and the usual two-tone seats are lined in material. Nonetheless, leatherette and leather-based upholstery are each obtainable, too. There is no scarcity of widespread choices, both. The Taos cabin might be geared up with customizable ambient lighting, an eight-way energy driver’s seat, dual-zone local weather management, a heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated entrance seats, and a panoramic sunroof. The Taos boasts 37.9 inches of rear-seat legroom, which is barely 0.8 inch lower than the two-row Tiguan. The Taos additionally has 28 cubic toes of cargo house behind the rear seatbacks and 66 cubes with them folded flat.
Infotainment and Connectivity
Each Taos includes a slick-looking infotainment system with a subscription-based Wi-Fi hotspot. A 6.5-inch touchscreen is customary, and an 8.0-inch model is optionally available. The system can be geared up with built-in navigation, an eight-speaker BeatsAudio stereo, SiriusXM satellite tv for pc radio, and wi-fi smartphone charging.
Security and Driver-Help Options
The smallest VW crossover is accessible with a wide range of driver-assistance know-how, too, together with forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking. For extra details about the Taos’s crash-test outcomes, go to the Nationwide Freeway Site visitors Security Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security (IIHS) web sites. Key security options embody:
- Customary blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert
- Customary ahead collision warning and computerized emergency braking
- Customary rear site visitors alert
Guarantee and Upkeep Protection
Volkswagen offers an above-average restricted guarantee and below-average powertrain protection. Nonetheless, the corporate does embody complimentary scheduled upkeep that aligns with Toyota.
- Restricted guarantee covers 4 years or 50,000 miles
- Powertrain guarantee covers 4 years or 50,000 miles
- Complimentary scheduled upkeep is roofed for 2 years or 20,000 miles
Specs
Specs
2022 Volkswagen Taos SEL
Car Sort: front-engine, front-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon
PRICE
Base/As Examined: $32,685/$32,685
ENGINE
turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve inline-4, aluminum block and head, direct gas injection
Displacement: 91 in3, 1498 cm3
Energy: 158 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque: 184 lb-ft @ 1750 rpm
TRANSMISSION
8-speed computerized
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: struts/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 12.3-in vented disc/10.7-in disc
Tires: Bridgestone Turanza LS100
215/50R-18 92H M+S
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 105.9 in
Size: 175.8 in
Width: 72.5 in
Top: 64.4 in
Passenger Quantity: 99 ft3
Cargo Quantity: 28 ft3
Curb Weight: 3244 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 7.4 sec
1/4-Mile: 15.8 sec @ 87 mph
100 mph: 21.5 sec
120 mph: 43.6 sec
Outcomes above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.2 sec.
Rolling Begin, 5–60 mph: 8.4 sec
High Gear, 30–50 mph: 4.5 sec
High Gear, 50–70 mph: 6.1 sec
High Velocity (C/D est): 125 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 176 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.83 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Noticed: 30 mpg
75-mph Freeway Driving: 40 mpg
Freeway Vary: 520 mi
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Mixed/Metropolis/Freeway: 31/25/32 mpg
Extra Options and Specs
