Execs: Large again seat and cargo space for the section; sturdy gasoline financial system; high quality inside; useful roof rails
Cons: Bland to drive with numb steering and mushy throttle response; so-so security scores
“Compact” SUVs have gotten awfully large. They’ve additionally gotten awfully costly, with the Honda CR-Vs and Toyota RAV4s of the world rapidly approaching $40,000. For households or these merely in search of an ample quantity of house and utility, that may imply going the used route, however earlier than you do, there’s a good various: the 2024 Volkswagen Taos. Technically, it’s a subcompact SUV, but it surely has a genuinely family-friendly again seat and a cargo space that may match extra inside it than loads of SUVs one value class above.
That measurement alone equates to sturdy worth for the VW Taos, with most trim ranges costing simply over $30,000. It doesn’t cease there. Function content material is ample, inside high quality is nicely above-average and it is best to be capable of get 30 mpg. We additionally assume the Taos seems fairly cool, too, with its of-the-moment physique cladding, black wheels and accessible distinction roof.
All of this provides as much as certainly one of our top-recommended small SUVs together with the Buick Envista, Chevy Trax and Kia’s Seltos and Niro hybrid. The Ford Bronco Sport and Subaru Crosstrek must also be thought of by these interested in the Taos’ further utility and quasi-rugged vibe.
Inside & Expertise | Passenger & Cargo Area | Efficiency & Gas Financial system
What it is wish to drive | Pricing & Trim Ranges | Crash Rankings & Security Options
What’s new for 2024?
The IQ.Drive driver help bundle is now customary on each Taos, bringing adaptive cruise management and lane-keeping help to even the bottom Taos S. That trim stage additionally picks up a normal heated leatherette steering wheel and rain-sensing wipers. The SE trim stage picks up dual-zone computerized local weather management. A brand new SE Black bundle provides a black distinction roof, black wheels and different black exterior styling parts. Costs additionally went down a bit for 2024.
What are the Taos inside and in-car know-how like?
The Taos pulls closely from the Volkswagen components bin, which is simply superb. The identical high-quality switchgear and user-friendly touchscreen interfaces you may discover within the Tiguan are additionally discovered within the lower-priced Taos. VW’s Digital Cockpit instrument panel can be customary gear (8 inches for S and SE, 10 inches for SEL), permitting drivers a wide selection of customization choices to offer as little or as a lot data instantly in entrance of you as you need. Supplies high quality is corresponding to every little thing within the section save the Mazda CX-30 and Honda HR-V – count on loads of exhausting plastics however with just a few strategically positioned items of painted trim and padded leatherette to spruce up the joint. We additionally like that each trim has some variation of a two-tone colour scheme.
There are two infotainment methods accessible. The bottom S has a 6.5-inch touchscreen with a extra primary interface, but it surely does embody Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The SE and SEL achieve an 8-inch touchscreen (see above), with enhanced performance plus wi-fi charging and connectivity for Apple/Android. Each methods are straightforward to see and attain, and in contrast to VW’s newer system within the ID.4, GTI and 2024 Atlas, are literally user-friendly. On this forged, older is unquestionably higher.
How large is the Taos?
The Taos is just a few inches longer than different subcompact SUVs just like the Kia Seltos and Mazda CX-30, however continues to be nearer to these than compact fashions like the Toyota RAV4. You do not actually discover this further measurement whereas driving, however along with some good inside packaging, you completely discover it when attempting to suit folks into the again seat or load up the cargo space.
The again seat is especially spectacular. We had been in a position to match an enormous rear-facing Britax Boulevard automotive seat and nonetheless have loads of house for a 6-foot-3 passenger up entrance. That is uncommon for any compact SUV, not to mention this smaller section. It additionally interprets into real adult-friendly house no matter who’s up entrance. The again doorways are additionally fairly giant.
Cargo house differs barely relying on whether or not you get all-wheel drive: it is 27.9 cubic-feet with out it and 24.9 with it attributable to the next load flooring. With front-wheel drive, the Taos managed to carry extra stuff in our baggage check than something within the section save for the Bronco Sport. In actual fact, it was extra voluminous than a number of compact SUVs. We additionally like that the Taos has raised roof rails, making it simpler to swap aftermarket roof racks between vehicles.
What are the Taos gasoline financial system and efficiency specs?
Not like many opponents, the Taos gives just one engine, but it surely successfully splits the efficiency distinction between these rivals’ respective decisions. Its 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-four produces 158 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque.
Entrance-wheel drive is customary and is paired with a standard eight-speed computerized transmission. All-wheel drive is paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automated guide (aka DSG). Although you could discover some slight variations of their habits, they’re mainly simply automatics that shift easily as anticipated. Gas financial system with FWD is 28 mpg metropolis, 36 mpg freeway and 31 mpg mixed. With AWD these drop to 24/32/27, however the Taos is however some of the environment friendly midcompact SUVs. It is also value noting that its whole vary is round 400 miles.
What is the Taos wish to drive?
Regardless of the front- and all-wheel drive Taos fashions having completely different transmissions and rear suspensions, we’ve discovered their dealing with, journey high quality and powertrain response to be comparable from behind the wheel. Each variations of the Taos we drove erred on the aspect of consolation over efficiency, demonstrating well-controlled responses to larger bumps and sopping up smaller pavement imperfections with a sophistication anticipated of a German model. Its chassis is greater than able to preserving its poise when hustling alongside a winding street, however Volkswagen’s steering — significantly within the FWD mannequin — prevents you from really feeling the expertise, not to mention take pleasure in it. It is Novocaine-numb on middle, then feels such as you’re turning elastic bands thereafter. Choosing the AWD mannequin provides drive modes, certainly one of which features a Sport mode for notably higher steering. That mentioned, for those who’re in search of a extra involving drive, virtually something is a more sensible choice, particularly the Chevy Trax and Mazda CX-30.
Additionally like different Volkswagens, the Taos does not have the sharpest response to throttle inputs. Whether or not it’s throttle tuning or turbo lag from the small-displacement engine, the result’s a automotive that likes to be sure to actually imply it. Equally, neither transmission is especially fast about downshifting as wanted. Just like the steering, this is not actually a deal breaker, but it surely does converse to VW’s subcompact SUV being extra just like the Jetta than a GTI.
What different VW Taos opinions can I learn?
2022 Volkswagen Taos First Drive Evaluate
Learn this extra in-depth comparisons between the FWD and AWD Taos variations, in addition to the SE and SEL trim ranges. We additionally embody extra information about its design and engineering.
Volkswagen Taos Baggage Take a look at
We take an in depth look into the Taos cargo space, which really differs in measurement relying on whether or not you get FWD or AWD. We had the FWD one and located that it is second to solely the Bronco Sport in its section.
What’s the 2024 Taos value?
Shopping for a Taos could not be less complicated. There are solely three trim ranges, two of which can be found with front- or all-wheel drive. The SEL is all-wheel-drive solely. Pricing could be very aggressive regardless of its measurement, and the actual fact many assume German vehicles are pricier than these from different manufacturers. Its beginning value of $25,420, together with the $1,425 vacation spot cost, is mainly the identical as a Kia Seltos, Hyundai Kona and Honda HR-V. Choosing the SE jumps the value past the mid-grade trims of these opponents, but it surely additionally has extra customary energy and house. The range-topping SEL goes nicely past them and the Taos’ sturdy worth proposition very a lot evaporates.
Not like some opponents, there aren’t any particular sporty or extra off-road-oriented trim ranges accessible. The trim ranges actually simply signify a gradual improve in gear.
All costs under embody the $1,425 vacation spot cost.
S FWD: $25,420S AWD: $27,760
SE FWD: $29,590SE AWD: $31,040
SEL AWD: $34,940
What are the Taos security rankings and driver help options?
Each Taos now comes customary with ahead collision warning (with pedestrian detection), computerized emergency braking, blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warning, lane-keeping help and adaptive cruise management with stop-and-go functionality. The efficiency of those methods is common for the business.
NHTSA gave the Taos 4 out of 5 stars for total crash safety, together with a four-star frontal ranking and five-star aspect ranking. The Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security gave it combined outcomes. It obtained the best-possible ranking of “Good” in most crash exams, however a second-best “Common” within the “small overlap entrance: passenger aspect” check and for its head restraints and seats. Its ahead collision prevention system bought prime marks for vehicle-to-vehicle efficiency, however vehicle-to-pedestrian efficiency was deemed merely “primary” (a rating of 1 on a 0-3 scale). The bottom headlights had been additionally given a “Marginal” rating (Common or Good is required to be thought of for an IIHS Prime Security Choose award), although the SEL’s upgraded lights bought a “Good.”
