The new Taos is good-looking and surprisingly good.
Craig Cole/Roadshow
When it involves launching SUVs, Volkswagen’s been behind the curve. In response to insatiable buyer demand, different automakers have fleshed out their utility-vehicle lineups at a a lot faster tempo than this Wolfsburg-based firm. But giving drivers one other alternative within the compact SUV phase, the 2022 Volkswagen Taos is lastly right here, and it was definitely worth the wait.
LikeHandsome looksSolid, Germanic feelCavernous inside
Don’t LikeLethargic throttle responseVague steering
Even although it would not supply many frills or thrills, this little schlepper nails the basics and checks all the fitting packing containers. The Taos has cavernous quantities of inside house and is a lot comfy, it is environment friendly, affordably priced and affords all of the superior driver aids you’d count on. Wrap all of it up in pleasantly restrained styling and this VW has no bother competing with rivals such because the Honda HR-V, Jeep Compass and Subaru Crosstrek. In some methods, the Taos may even give Mazda’s ritzy CX-30 a run for its cash. Unlike, say, the Chevy Trailblazer or Hyundai Kona, this Volkswagen is devoid of any visible fireworks, but it surely’s nonetheless an attractively styled automobile. The entrance finish is assertive but approachable, the physique traces are crisp and all of the panel gaps are laser straight and millimeter exact. There’s an actual feeling of fastidious craftsmanship with the Taos. One facet of this range-topping SEL instance that I significantly love is the paint job. Called Cornflower Blue, it could be quaintly named however this colour is electrical. If this hue is simply too shiny for you, nonetheless, extra conservative colours can be found.
Based on the Volkswagen Group’s MQB structure, which is as ubiquitous as boomers at a Jimmy Buffett live performance, the 2022 Taos is refined and astoundingly spacious. Size-wise, it is greater than 9 inches shorter than its massive brother, the Tiguan, although it is almost as capacious. The Taos affords almost 28 cubic toes of bags house behind the second-row seat. Fold that 60/40 cut up backrest down and also you get simply shy of 66 cubes of junk-hauling room. Unusually, all-wheel-drive fashions are much less capacious, however not by a lot.The Taos’ passenger lodging are equally beneficiant. The entrance bucket seats are comfortable, and consumers that go for an SE or SEL mannequin are handled to an eight-way energy driver’s chair with adjustable lumbar help. The rear bench affords miles of house in all instructions, so even lanky adults should not have any bother getting comfy and staying that method for hours at a time. From stem to stern, this VW’s inside capaciousness is severely spectacular.
It is not opulent, however the Taos’ cabin may be very good for the phase.
Craig Cole/Roadshow
What is not as praiseworthy are a number of the cabin’s supplies. The high of the dashboard is a big swath of exhausting, cheaply textured plastic. Shiny painted trim runs from door to door and the local weather controls really feel fairly low hire. These components are considerably offset by first rate high quality leather-based on the seats and delicate plastic on the door uppers, so it isn’t all unhealthy even when the Taos feels far much less premium than the CX-30.
An 8-inch digital instrument cluster is customary, however SEL fashions function a completely reconfigurable 10.3-inch panel that’s crisp and colourful. As for infotainment tech, three setups are supplied. The base Taos comes with a 6.5-inch show, whereas the midrange and top-shelf fashions each function an 8-incher, although the latter additionally features embedded navigation. The Taos’ infotainment system shouldn’t be instantly intuitive, but it surely’s easy sufficient to decipher after poking round for a couple of minutes. The actual head-scratcher, nonetheless, is the dial to the fitting of the display. It appears to be like like a tuning knob, however you’ll be able to twirl all of it day and the radio stations by no means change. Instead, this capabilities like a management knob, permitting you to cycle by means of some infotainment settings and menus, although it is as inconvenient as it’s unintuitive. Simplifying issues, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are customary tools.Up to a few USB type-C ports are supplied on this VW and the highest two trims include a wi-fi charging plate. Setting the SEL trim other than the pack, it additionally boasts of an eight-speaker Beats audio system that sounds fairly good. Ventilated seats are supplied within the Taos, although solely on the SEL trim and solely with all-wheel drive.Yep, there’s an engine beneath that bundle of wires and tubes.
Craig Cole/Roadshow
Just one engine is obtainable right here: a 1.5-liter I4. Running on a modified model of the Miller cycle and fitted with a variable-geometry turbocharger, this little dynamo cranks out a decent 158 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. This engine is fairly easy and fairly potent, although it doesn’t stand out in any significant method from the powerplants you get in competing autos.Two transmissions can be found within the Taos. Front-wheel-drive fashions (just like the one examined right here) are fitted with a standard eight-speed computerized, however variants that function all-wheel drive include a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. The former unit is usually fast, easy and responsive, although it may be a bit overeager to upshift at instances. This challenge, nonetheless, is minor in comparison with the automobile’s throttle response. When taking off in drive, the Taos can really feel completely torpid, prefer it simply would not wish to transfer until you push the accelerator midway down or extra. Fortunately, there is a easy resolution to this drawback: Just click on the shifter into Sport mode and it makes the Taos far more responsive at low speeds.When fitted with front-wheel drive, the Taos ought to return 28 mpg within the metropolis and 36 mpg on freeway drives. Combined, this compact SUV is rated at a decent 31 mpg, although I’ve been getting simply shy of 36 mpg in blended driving with out even making an attempt, which is tremendous spectacular.The Taos’ backseat is spacious and comfy.
Craig Cole/Roadshow
The Taos’ inside is cavernous and accommodating, however its driving place is a little bit off and I am unable to fairly put my finger on why. The relationship between the steering wheel and seat would not appear proper, just like the instrument cluster is simply too low and the wheel too excessive. In any occasion, this compact SUV isn’t any sports activities automotive (duh!), but it surely drives nicely sufficient for what it’s. The steering is gentle and on the obscure aspect, although the trip high quality is great, agency however freed from any harshness. The chassis absorbs bigger impacts with out flinching and does a superb job filtering out vibration and grittiness, virtually giving this VW the texture of a German luxurious automotive.Volkswagen’s IQ Drive security suite is out there on S and SE fashions, although it is customary fare on the SEL model. This expertise bundle contains facilities like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, computerized emergency braking with pedestrian detection and extra. Ever-useful adaptive cruise management with stop-and-go functionality is bundled, too. It’s easy and confidence inspiring, working just about precisely as marketed. SEL fashions additionally come customary with computerized excessive beams, rear parking sensors and road-sign recognition.Volkswagen’s new Taos was a little bit late to the celebration, but it surely was definitely worth the wait.
Craig Cole/Roadshow
Available at dealerships proper now, the 2022 Volkswagen Taos is obtainable in three trims: S, SE and SEL. This compact SUV begins at $24,190 together with $1,195 in vacation spot charges. If you need all-wheel drive, plan on spending round $2,000 extra. Close to loaded, the front-drive SEL variant featured on this evaluation checks out for simply $32,685, a bargain-basement sum for such a spacious and extremely practical automobile.Volkswagen was conspicuously late to the compact SUV celebration, however the Taos was definitely worth the wait. Even although it is not significantly thrilling, this SUV does precisely what it must and needs to be a giant vendor for the model.