2022 Volkswagen Taos Review: Volkswagen's newest crossover | CarGurus

The new Volkswagen Taos is a right-sized utility vehicle for drivers who don't need something as big as the Tiguan.

It's not quite as big as New Mexico's premier ski resort, but this Taos looks ready to win over plenty of shoppers. Sized similarly to the original Tiguan, the new Taos is smaller than your typical compact SUV. Chris Wardlaw takes one for a spin to determine if the Taos is the new segment leader.

Presenter: Christian Wardlaw
Cinematography: Dan Sharp
Written review: Christian Wardlaw

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0:00 Introducing the Taos
0:52 Pricing and Trims
1:55 Trim Recommendation
2:55 interior Impressions
3:23 Infotainment and Technology
5:25 Cargo Space and Rear Seats
6:13 Safety Features
7:11 Engine
7:54 Driving Impressions
9:31 Fuel Economy
9:54 Final Thoughts

[philweiland]

I picked up an SE trim (FWD) for 28K last week. Good daily driver for highway commuting....getting 38-40 mpg on 1 hour highway commuting. I think this review is accurate, but I don't notice the turbo lag as much as CarGurus did. It's not fast, but it's definitely peppy and offers a quiet, comfortable ride. It has some cheaper plastics mixed in with nicer trim so it feels a little utilitarian which I like but I would stay in the S or SE trims and NOT spend over 30K on this car.

[RichardVac]

Update! I tried the launch control of the 7 speed DCT on the Taos it works like charm, can't belive they advertise this vehicles as a 8.4 second 0-60 when in reality it can do 6.9 secons using regulat 87 gas when using launch cont

[TommyG]

I have a 2024 Taos SE with fwd and traditional transmission, I'm 6"3 and I have to say I love this vehicle lots of head room and I'm tall and fit great, seats are very comfortable and for 26, 800 it's the way better deal than the 34k for the sel. My se had dual zone climate control, heated seats, and heated steering wheel that I really liked this winter and remote start from the key fob and also the VW carnet app works great. Highly recommend.

[dans]

I took Taos for a test drive. The Taos had good handling and ride qualities. I really love the looks. Why I bought the Crosstrek limited. Subaru 2.5 L motor, price, no turbo lag, and I'm not going to give 32k for a 1.5L motor. Reminds me of a 1.3L Geo metro .

[pdd]

I for one think 6.6" round clearance is just about right. This will handle anything that 99% of people throw at it. Nobody save for a handful of enthusiasts go rock crawling.

[jeffmorse]

Sat in a 2023 FWD SE model. Can't speak to the driving experience yet. I was just trying to get a short list together of compact SUVs that I fit well in. I will say being 6' 4" tall with long legs I fit in the Taos better than any other. The seat cushion is a little longer than all the others I tried so it has better thigh support, plus there's plenty of legroom, decent telescoping on the steering well, plenty of headroom even with the sunroof. Plus my knee or shin aren't hitting the center console like in so many others. I'm not surprised a German company would make cars that accommodate taller drivers better than Japanese companies. What's even more surprising they're better than the GM, Ford and Jeep models I tried (Jeep Compass especially).

[rlanthony]

To answer you question about "saving money in the first place shopping for a small compact crossover SUV", no... Some people don't need a ridiculously oversized hulking SUV. All most people need unless you are way overweight and your ass can't fit inside the seats is something like this Taos, Honda HR-V, or Toyota CH-R. Cute, roomy enough, practical, and fuel efficient.

[nagendrakudchadkar]

What is your height?
Helps to visualize the space on offer

[concretejackson]

I thought the Title said the "Volkswagen Tacos 🌮" there for a second, LOL. I was Like Huh 😳? I swear! 😂

[delvallejld]

Just bought the TAOS SE FW. I have a question. The AC blows very warm air when we come to a stop or put it on park. I was told this happens when the auto shut off is turned on.
I cannot understand how this can be ok during these hot summer months.
We have to turn the AC up to full fam speed to get cold air to start blowing again. The service tells me this is because the motor turns off at a stop or on park which prompts the AC motor to turn off too.

[rafaleonflores]

I just love your review and POV ! It is an amazing suv 🚙, I just bought one the last month

[cyrus]

Chris is my favorite reviewer! He is seasoned! Which I think is the best way to be! He has flavor and spice! Hahaha

[midlander]

Owing to tight parking I usually face, I'm looking for a vehicle on the short side. Three local VW dealers say they can order a new Golf, but they have the more expensive GTI on the lot. I don't want a GTI, since it doesn't suit my purposes. A 2017 or earlier Tiguan (shorter than the current model) is an option, but I'd rather buy new. Is this Taos about the size of that earlier Tiguan?

[David-vzmv]

How would you rate it comfort wise and 0 to 60 wise compared to the 2014 Tiguan I saw you review when you had less grey hair?

[jeffmorse]

All wheel drive is an unnecessary expense in at least half the country. Even in areas with some winter weather its not needed. I learned to drive in the Sierra Nevada and had nothing but rear wheel and front drive cars. Only one time I was unable to get up our long dirt driveway (because of snow) at 2, 500 ft elevation. He's right - unless you're an off-roader just get front wheel drive and if you live in serious snow country get a set of winter tires to swap out each year.

[Gidenkidenk]

Make sure to drive SE and SEL. SE has more comfortable seats

[carlkwasnjuk]

I am a VW Guy. VW needs to GET RID OF the FAKE exhaust cutouts in the bumper. Makes no sense. Either make the bumper smooth or actually exit the exit exhaust through the bumper cutouts. We all know they are fake. Duh! Which brings me to another point. The Taos has the 4Motion which back in my day(I'm 54) was called the Synchro on the Vanagon and Quantum and even on the Golf(in other countries but not the USA(scratching my head). The 4Motion name is boring. The 4Motion(Synchro) Taos has the 7 speed DSG(dual clutch) transmission which means that VW MUST make a Taos R. And I am not just talking about an "R Line" cosmetic R Taos. I am talking about a full fledged Taos R(or GT version) with a 240hp GTI engine. We deserve to have this in the USA. Heck in Europe the VW provides the Tiguan R line with ACTUAL performance goodies. Why not the USA? Okay okay, enough complaining. I agree that there is plenty of competition for the VW Taos and this is why VW needs to make it stand out. Most sales will be those who are VW nuts already. But if VW does make a Taos R(GT) or an "Off Road" version with some flaring and large/wider suspension the Taos will do VERY nicely in the USA. My personal preference as far as that huge panoramic sunroof is that I prefer to not have it at all. From what I understand having a sunroof makes it so there needs to be additional bracing and in the structure and therefore make it heavier. Also, I cannot imagine the repair costs to something that large in the future and for privacy while driving inside the vehicle I do not like all that light coming into the cabin. VW, please provide an upscale VW SUV with the option of NOT having a sunroof. Also, what happened to fog lights??

[lurkinwolf]

I wanted to buy one of these until I saw the price at 29k, for that I should just buy a Tiguan like wtf Volkswagen 😒

[HonestOK]

I've never owned a VW, but I've read that any VW vehicle tends to need major repairs after about 5 years and it's expensive. Can anyone confirm or comment?
We're thinking about this vehicle or the Subaru Crosstrek

[Thyline]

The entertainment system is lacking as he stated. It often can't understand your commands or worse misinterprets them. The controls are cumbersome slow and a distraction when all you want is to change the station. Seriously vw really needs to make it less complicated. There is no reason I should have to memorize menu locations just to switch between navigation and xm radio.