The Volkswagen Taos entered the market in China because the Tharu in 2018, then made its solution to the US with a restyle as a 2022 mannequin. Its US identify comes from a small city in New Mexico the place John Muir lived and wrote the unbelievable ebook The right way to Hold Your Volkswagen Alive; A Handbook of Step-By-Step Procedures for the Compleat Fool. The Taos is a far cry from the air-cooled Volkswagens of outdated, although. It is a svelte-looking subcompact crossover powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter turbo gasoline engine, and Volkswagen’s 4Motion all-wheel-drive system is on the market. The Taos’s 158 horsepower is unimpressive, however its gas effectivity makes up for it, as does its customary characteristic record and low base-model worth that places it up in opposition to fashions just like the Honda HR-V. The subcompact crossover market is hard-fought, and Volkswagen goals to get its slice in America. However does it shine by way of in opposition to the competitors? If the Taos is to interchange the Golf as VW intends, it should.
Exterior: Completely Volkswagen
In keeping with the remainder of Volkswagen’s lineup, the Taos does not do something particular with its styling however does the whole lot properly. Because of this, it does not stand out in site visitors, nevertheless it has a complicated look courtesy of touches just like the huge three-bar grille and a big decrease air consumption on the entrance. The LED headlights, daytime working lights, and taillights are customary throughout all three trim ranges (S, SE, and SEL). The Taos measures 175.8 inches lengthy, making it 9.3 inches shorter than the Tiguan, and is 72.5 inches huge.
Inside: Additionally Completely Volkswagen
What’s putting in an un-striking means is how properly laid out the Taos is inside. It does not look something particular, simply Volkswagen’s standard clear and deceptively easy styling, however after a few days dwelling with it, we realized simply how straightforward it’s to dwell with. The whole lot is smart, and the infotainment system does not undergo the identical usability points as different fashions. There are 99.5 cubic toes of passenger area, simply 1.6 cubic toes in need of the two-row Tiguan. Meaning there’s loads of room up entrance, together with respectable elbow area, and simply as a lot for teenagers to develop into within the again.
The 27.9 cubic toes of area behind the again seats is helpful however not best-in-class and shrinks to 24.9 cubic toes in all-wheel-drive geared up fashions.
Infotainment: A Lesson In De-Cluttering
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are customary, and a 6.5-inch infotainment display screen is within the base mannequin, whereas the SE and SEL get a superbly sized eight-inch show. The Volkswagen Digital Cockpit system is customary and one of many best to learn in the marketplace because it’s uncluttered. An eight-inch unit comes within the base mannequin with a ten.5-inch display screen within the two higher trims. The infotainment system is evident, fast, and intuitive to make use of within the larger trims and has bodily knobs for quantity and tuning, as the great Lord supposed. Within the Golf GTI and Golf R, it was a case of attempting to be too intelligent and forgetting the fundamentals. Within the Taos, the usability is pitch-perfect. Even the steering wheel controls.
SiriusXM with 360L is on the market, however the spotlight of the upgrades is the Beats Audio system within the SEL. It packs a totally rounded sound from bass to treble with a crisp signature within the mids and highs. Beats Audio is often pushing respectable however overpriced headphones, nevertheless it seems the corporate is making a sound system that ought to substitute Bose as a default for upgraded audio in economy-driven vehicles and crossovers.
Drivetrain: A Lack Of Pep
One of many nice issues in regards to the dearly-departed Golf within the US was its pep. In case you’re searching for a substitute within the Taos, you will be dissatisfied. The 1.5-liter turbocharged makes 158 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque, and it is tremendous, however when you’re a hustler round city, even the 4Motion all-wheel-drive system will not enable you off the road or up a freeway ramp as a result of there simply is not sufficient rise up and go to necessitate it in something however icy situations. Nevertheless, it’s tremendous for most individuals, and the 28/36/31 mpg metropolis/freeway/mixed gasoline mileage figures are completely environment friendly and simply achievable. They do change with all-wheel-drive and the seven-speed DSG dual-clutch computerized transmission geared up. The DSG is enjoyable to play with, however gas financial system drops to 25/32/28 mpg.
On The Highway: No Golf Alternative
Whereas it has successfully captured the identical kind of purchaser, the Taos is not a strict Golf substitute, and it rapidly turns into obvious it isn’t meant to be, which is not a nasty factor for these searching for a stable, fashionable, day by day driver for a small household. The trip is good, it does not have the identical precision within the steering because the Golf, nevertheless it’s no slouch for working facet streets on a hustle or choosing out that parking spot.
It is surprisingly playful on a again street with Sport mode engaged, however keep in mind AWD variations like our tester get a multilink rear suspension setup that retains the Taos extra planted on the street than front-wheel-drive fashions. General, the Taos has a pleasant steadiness between consolation and being assured on the street. It is a good cruiser on a freeway, however the Taos is most at house on suburban streets and across the metropolis.
Is The Taos A Nice Compact Crossover?
The place the Taos separates itself from the likes of the Honda HR-V is in how completed it’s straight out of the gate. Volkswagen’s MQB platform is well-rounded, and Volkswagen is aware of how one can make a great automobile really feel easy. That is how the Taos feels – effortlessly good. Nevertheless, it takes loads of design and engineering to get there, and Volkswagen ought to be pleased with the Taos. It is not flashy, and it isn’t breaking the mould, nevertheless it will get the whole lot it must be proper for the worth. It will not compete in numbers with Honda’s HR-V or the South Korean sub-compacts, however these within the know wanting a rock-solid performer for years to return will benefit from the Taos.
The worth is vital in summing up the Taos, and its entry level of $24,155 on the time of writing is par for the course. The Goldilocks trim is the SE with additions like 18-inch wheels, wi-fi telephone charging, and distant begin is available in at $28,925. For the loaded SEL, you will be parting with $34,535. We simply want Volkswagen would provide the Beats Audio system as an possibility on the SEL to make it the killer alternative for a younger household.