The 2022 Volkswagen Taos Is A Small Premium Package (At A Premium Price)

When it comes to the compact SUV segment there’s a wide variety of choices. Maybe too many. Looking for something upscale but find the premium brands too spendy? Then the Volkswagen Taos might be for you. A foot shorter than big brother Tiguan, the cabin has nearly the same amount of space plus it has a polished driving dynamic. But understand it’s among the most expensive in class. Tom Voelk checks out a loaded SEL model with 4MOTION all-wheel drive.

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About Tom: Tom Voelk is an award-winning automotive contributor to The New York Times. His podcast was the first to win an Emmy Award (and he's won for photography, editing, producing, and reporting). But really, all you need to know is in the videos. Watch a few and you'll subscribe.

00:00 Intro
1:05 Overview
2:02 Powertrain
2:50 Driving Dynamics
4:55 Fuel Economy
6:00 Active Safety
6:33 Interior
7:55 Back Seat
9:03 Design
9:42 Cargo Room
10:50 Red Light Green Light
12:00 Summary
12:42 Epilogue
13:30 Fun Fact

[noesrp]

Another excellent review. Tom is hands down, the best.

[Noposwowskis]

I bought a 2022 Taos SEL AWD fully loaded and paid $37k in California including GAP insurance and a paint protection thing (i decided to go with it because I have a 2014 Mustang with paint issues lol). I love this car and was thinking of getting a BMW X3 as I can afford it but decided not to drown myself in payments. I financed this car and plan to drive it until the wheels fall off. It rides comfortably and acceleration is okay, I came from a Mustang so I am used to driving fast but this is fine with me. The Beats audio is oriented for heavy bass music such as Hip/Hop, RNB, EDM, etc but sounds good imo. I pay attention to interior quality and dislike the hard plastics but in reality, I do not even notice that when I drive. What I notice is the infotaiment system and me driving lol. For me, this car is a 8.5/10, i love it!

[fishtricker]

We have one and 3 months in we like it. It has a flat spot on the excelleration so we leave it in sport mode around town. Gas millage is great on a longer run and its phenomenal in the snow. It's my wife's car and she likes it.

[haze]

Nice review as always. I appreciate that this model still has all of the real knobs and physical switchgear.
The newer VW user interface (ala GTI) is going all haptic / sliders... which is a deal breaker for me.

[viktorzuki]

I bought TAOS AWD trendline .It is an awesome compact SUV. Even with 7-10 inches of snow here in Edmonton Canada, I never used snow mode just on normal . It is best vehicle for snowy conditions and within our Budget.

[stephenhendricks]

Kudos for noting that the Taos is the replacement for the basic Golf in SUV obsessed North America, Tom. Viewed from that perspective, the attributes of the Taos make sense. It's typically seen as a subcompact SUV but like other VW SUVs, it offers significantly more interior space than the competition. And just as the Taos is larger than its rivals, the Tiguan is among the largest vehicles in the so-called "compact" category. In fact, the Tiguan sold in the US is known as the "AllSpace" in Europe (sold alongside the smaller Tiguan) and is considered a midsize (or even a large) SUV in European markets. Finally, the VW Atlas is not only the largest SUV VW makes, it's among the largest in the US "midsize" category and isn't even sold in Western Europe.

In short, VW has found that Americans want their VWs LARGE regardless of the category in which they compete. And that's why the basic Golf has been replaced with the Taos here in America.

[carmel]

Tom, don’t forget, we (The US Market) get the Golf R; for those who think that the GTI does not have enough power.

[bigprocrastinator]

That low speed/gear clunkiness seems common with VWs off the line, whether it's for the 6 or 7 speed. Definitely is the case with mine. Doesn't keep me from loving the drive, though

[michaelelliott]

My girlfriend bought a FWD SE and she sees 45mph on the freeway all the time. We are super impressed by this vehicle.

[JDelta]

Tom, thanks for sharing a bit more behind the scenes with this video. It's a lot that goes into a quality video and you remain consistent year over year. Also, thanks to Mr. Campbell as well.

[aceofspades]

Nice looking vehicle! The new Golf R looks great as well.

[kylegoodman]

Finally, a detailed review of this crossover! As someone who took your advice on the Mk7 Golf the Taos is on my list for a potential new car in the next two years.

[danydufort]

I appreciate your no nonsense videos - Love the neighbourhoods where you have your drive through images - I lived in North Vancouver and would swear that's where this was done - Can you please tell us where the videos where made?

[benhaze]

The quality of your video reviews are always top notch (content and technically wise) but good point to bring awareness to all audio editing (time and effort) needed to reach that goal.

[swells]

Now I'm interested in the Taos. Great review Tom.

[arturn_czyk]

I have seen so many Taos reviews, yet it was so entertaining to watch this one. Great job!
I love the Taos. There are tons of them here in NYC. Great city car, and replacement to the Mk7 Golf hatch in VW's lineup, and with its generous interior and trunk space - to the Golf SportWagen as well.
I am eyeing for a replacement of my 2014 Passat in the near future. And I am considering both the 2022 Tiguan SE 4Motion, and the Taos as well. The latter in its mid-level trim - SE w/ IQ. Package, FWD and no sunroof.
But I am the no-first-model-year kind of guy so I will probably end up with the Tiguan. Or another Passat (3rd times the charm, ehh? 😄).

[georgeg.]

I'll restate my objection to reviewing the insanely optioned, highest trim level version of a budget orientated segment vehicle that 90% of the drivers shopping in that class won't buy. There is often a wide-gulf between the quality in these vehicles and the volume sellers. I know all YouTube reviewers do it and claim they have no choice because they have to review what the auto companies provide them. Something that I would find very useful is getting the comfort prospective of someone sitting in the backseat. If you have Martin riding in the back when you're going out to film, I'd find it helpful to know what he thinks of the vehicle riding as a backseat passenger. I do appreciate the quality of your reviews. You are one of the best. Thanks.

[bwilliams]

Great review. Maintenance is key. My 2018. 2019 Atlas runs very well with minimal costs.

[Macgyver_Videos]

I had a DSG in my VW GLI - I can say that the transmission did not like slow starts. It seems to like more deliberate/moderate starts. Once I changed my driving style to that, everything smoothed out.
Then I would be reminded about the stuttering ever time I was in bumper to bumper.

[powertools]

My wife has one and i really like it. It’s quick and drives really nice