What Are The Best Years For The Volkswagen Taos?
There are so many small SUVs in the market today. Volkswagen has not had several choices for compact and subcompact crossover SUVs, but the Taos comes to change that.
Toas is smaller than the VW Tiguan, and it is ideal for people looking for a compact vehicle with sufficient space inside and at a relatively affordable price.
What Are The Best Years For The Volkswagen Taos?
Taos is a new release from Volkswagen with the only model being the 2022 model. On release, the Taos instantly became a hit, so look for the 2022 model next time you’re on the market for a new VW.
It is a 175.8 inches long vehicle, which makes it 9.3 inches shorter than the Tiguan. Its wheelbase is also four inches shorter than the Tiguan, but these two small SUVs have the same width.
Still, the Taos is way bigger than most other small SUVs, such as the Nissan Kicks and Honda HR-V.
In size, Taos compares to the Subaru Crosstrek and Hyundai Tucson.
When you open its doors, you will note that it offers sufficient passenger and cargo space, just like the larger Tiguan. It has 99.5 cubic feet of space for passengers, which compares to the Tiguan’s 101.1 cubic feet.
The back seat offers plenty of space to accommodate six-foot-tall passengers with ease.
Why the 2022 Volkswagen Taos is An Impressive Small SUV
If you need a relatively affordable small SUV, the Taos might be the option you need.
The crossover SUV has a simple and straightforward cabin design with above-average materials.
Being an entry-level vehicle, there are no complaints about the quality of materials.
Behind the rear seats, you will have 28 cubic feet of space for your cargo. If you need more space, fold the rear seats down, and you will have 66 cubic feet of cargo space.
This space is more than you get with a Subaru Crosstrek or a Jeep Compass, but less than what the Hyundai Tucson offers.
Volkswagen offers the latest MIB 3 infotainment system in all trim levels.
This system comes with an eight-inch touchscreen display that is intuitive and easy to use. Other tech features include Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
There is an available 10.3-inch screen that comes standard in higher trims.
If you look at the exterior styling of the Taos, you will see a familiar Volkswagen styling. The model features a full-width running light bar.
The fascia looks like that of the new ID electric.
There are short overhangs and an upright design that makes the Taos proportions appear impressive.
The Taos is available in three trim levels; the S, SE, and SEL. All these models come with standard front-wheel drive. Volkswagen plans to roll out an all-wheel-drive version after the release of the front-wheel-drive model.
Taos Engine
Taos features a standard 1.5L turbocharged engine I4. This engine is a mirror of the 1.4L engine in the VW Jetta.
However, this new Taos engine offers an epical thermal coating that reduces friction. It also has a variable turbocharger that offers more power boost.
This engine generates 158 horses and 184-pound feet of torque. It offers 11 more horses compared to the Jetta, but it offers a smoother acceleration compared to the Jetta.
The front-wheel-drive model’s engine mates to an eight-speed automatic transmission. It also offers a torsion beam suspension in its rear, which makes the setup simple.
The all-wheel-drive model offers a more composed and smoother ride, thanks to the multilink rear suspension.
There is an extra Sport mode that creates more power for your Taos. The AWD Taos feels fun to drive.
Features in Every Trim
The S trim is the base, and it offers a long list of standard features.
Some of the features include 17-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, LED headlights, 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, digital instrumentation display, a four-speaker stereo, and connected services with onboard WiFi.
Motorists will also enjoy several features in the IQ Drive package that brings a host of driver assistance and safety features. Some of these features include forward collision mitigation, active blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping system, and emergency assistance.
These features help you stay safe on the road and drive with more convenience.
The SE adds more equipment to the Taos, making it a more comfortable model.
It features 18-inch alloy wheels, heated mirrors with washer jet nozzles, remote engine start, hands-free keyless entry, simulated leather seat trim, and heated front seats.
Other standard features in the SE include an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system, six-speaker stereo, an active blind spot monitor that combines with rear cross traffic alert, wireless smartphone charging, and satellite radio.
Just like in the S, the SE also gets the IQ Drive Package that has driver assistance and safety features. If you want the longest list of standard features, you will get them on SEL.
SEL offers standard features, such as 18-inch alloy wheels, adaptive headlights, an illuminated grille bar, rain-sensing wipers, automatic high-beam headlights, a heated steering wheel, ambient interior lighting, and rear parking sensors.
Other features include dual-zone automatic climate control, leather seats, a large digital instrument display, an eight-speaker sound system, and a navigation system.
The all-wheel-drive model of Taos SEL adds 19-inch alloy wheels and ventilated front seats.
Acceleration and Fuel Economy
Taos is a fast car. It accelerates to 60 mph in 7.4 seconds and can cover a quarter a mile in about 15.4 seconds driving at 87 mph.
This speed is higher than that of its competitor, the Subaru Crosstrek.
But it is slower than the turbocharged Kia Seltos, which is at least half a second faster at accelerating to 60 mph and covering the first quarter mile.
The front-drive model is highly fuel-efficient. It has a combined fuel economy estimate of 31 mpg. The all-wheel-drive offers 28 mph combined fuel economy.
On the highway, the front-wheel-drive model can get up to 40 mph on the highway, but the EPA estimates the small SUV to give 36 mpg on the highway.
The dual-clutch automatic transmission doesn’t feel as sporty as it should. It is to shift quickly at speed, but it doesn’t have the smoothness of the eight-speed automatic transmission.
When driven around town and during quick on-off throttle applications, the DSG doesn’t feel convincing as a sporty option.
How Does the 2022 Volkswagen Taos Compare to the Competition?
Volkswagen Taos versus Subaru Crosstrek
The Crosstrek has a smaller cabin and cargo space compared to the Taos. However, it is one of the few small crossovers that offer standard all-wheel drive.
The Crosstrek offers above-average mpg ratings, higher than the AWD model of the Taos, but lower than the FWD models.
Besides the larger cargo space in the VW, these two models have almost similar passenger features. If you consider features, there are only a few that can set the Crosstrek apart from the Taos.
Volkswagen Taos vs. Tiguan
Tiguan is the Taos’ bigger brother. This compact crossover is large enough to accommodate three rows of seats, which is not common among compact crossovers.
The Tiguan also has more cargo space and has a long list of driver assistance features. Both Tiguan and Taos have so many luxurious and driver assistance features to deliver a smooth ride.
Taos is more fuel-efficient, and it also costs about $2,000 less than the Tiguan.
Is the 2022 Volkswagen Taos Reliable?
Taos is still a relatively new small SUV. There haven’t been any recalls or any reported problems.
Although there are several reviews online from independent reviewers (all praising the small SUV), there are still no ratings from the U.S. News and World Report or J.D. Power, or Consumer Reports.
The lack of ratings doesn’t mean that the car is reliable. From the hundreds of test drives the small SUV has gone through, it is evident that it is a reliable model.
Again, the Taos mirrors its components with other VW car models to ensure you get a system that works.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety are yet to test the Taos.
From the range of features the model has, it is evident that it is safe on the roads.
Closing Thoughts
You do not have a choice of several model years with the Volkswagen Taos; there has only been one model.
There are no used models as you can only go for the 2022 model.
If you love VW vehicles, you will love the Taos. It offers features similar to Tiguan with an engine like that of the Jetta.
Because VW has shown reliability with most of the models they have produced, it is easy to trust that Taos will last long and offer the reliability that makes it a good everyday drive.
The long list of standard features and packages offers you the convenience and the safety you need in a small SUV. You also get the storage and the cabin space that makes long trips relaxing. Instead of being cramped in the rear seats of the three-row Tiguan, you have two comfortable rows in the Taos.