2024 Volkswagen Taos SEL
Class: Subcompact crossover
Coloration: Pure Grey
Seating Capability: 5
Miles pushed: 189
Actual-world gas economic system: 29.3 mpg
CG Report Card
Room and ComfortA-
Energy and PerformanceC+
Match and FinishB+
Gasoline EconomyB+
ValueB
Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus different automobiles in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim degree evaluated, and should not mirror Client Information’s impressions of the complete mannequin lineup.
Massive & Tall Consolation
Massive GuyA
Tall GuyA-
Massive & Tall consolation rankings are for entrance seats solely. “Massive” score primarily based on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” score primarily based on 6’6″-tall male tester.
Drivetrain
Engine Specs158-horsepower 1.5-liter
Engine TypeTurbocharged 4-cylinder
Transmission 7-speed dual-clutch automated
Drive WheelsAWD
Driving combine: 65% metropolis, 35% freeway
EPA-estimated gas economic system: 24/32/27 (metropolis, freeway, mixed)
Gasoline kind: Common fuel
Base worth: $33,515 (not together with $1350 vacation spot cost)
Choices on take a look at automobile: Particular paint ($395)
Value as examined: $35,260
Fast Hits
The good: Roomy and properly appointed cabin, simple on the fuel
The nice: Balanced journey and dealing with, upscale really feel
The not so good: Balky energy supply, glitchy infotainment system
Tom Appel
There may be an old-school stoicism to the Volkswagen Taos that isn’t present in different small crossovers just like the Hyundai Kona or Kia Seltos. The right, upright design of the Taos, mixed with its crisp, formal sheet-metal, offers VW’s smallest U.S.-market crossover a way of reserved propriety uncommon in its class.
Certainly, the Taos, launched stateside in 2022, presents as extra premium than playful, a vibe which can play a task in serving to customers determine to buy the Volkswagen, or search elsewhere for a small ‘ute with a spunkier angle.
We’ve got no downside with the little VW’s design, although formal, it comes off as German—in the very best means—and the formality of its design might higher go well with younger, entry-level drivers seeking to be taken critically early of their skilled and social lives.
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The Taos returns for the 2024 mannequin yr largely unchanged, and although priced barely greater than the likes of the aforementioned Kona and Seltos, it’s reserved nature could also be simply what many patrons are on the lookout for.
The ’24 Taos lineup ascends up from the entry-level S trim degree (beginning round $25,000), uplevel SE (Round $30,000), and tops out with the well-equipped SEL ($35,000). New for 2024 is the SE Black, which begins round $32,000 and slots between the SE and SEL.
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All 2024 Taos fashions are powered by a 158-horsepower 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. Entrance-wheel drive fashions mate the engine to a traditional 8-speed automated transmission, whereas AWD examples make use of a 7-speed “dual-clutch” automated. The topline SEL comes solely with AWD and the DCT automated.
Client Information lately spent per week behind the wheel of the Taos SEL. With vacation spot cost and extra-cost Pure Grey paint our take a look at automobile got here to $35,515 And whereas we like the colour, we’re not totally certain what makes in “pure.”
Like all Volkswagen crossovers, the Taos is seemingly bigger on the within than it’s on the skin. There’s no scarcity of front-row seating house, even for bigger people, and the beneficiant door openings make for simple automobile entry and exit. The cabin itself is fashionable in really feel and properly appointed, although not all the supplies employed are premium in really feel; there’s loads of arduous plastic to be discovered, in case you search for it. Nonetheless, the inside typically comes of as stylish.
Whereas most controls are clearly marked and simple to succeed in, not all is properly on this planet of Taos connectivity. We’re sparred with VW’s native infotainment system earlier than, and nonetheless discover it irritating. This editor’s cellphone, for instance, wanted to be relinked to the automobile a number of instances over the course of our take a look at week, including time to my commute. Moreover, the information displayed on the Taos touchscreen typically trailed the content material being performed by way of Bluetooth—rendering the show just about ineffective when listening to music or podcasts.
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Utilizing Apple CarPlay, the system appeared to carry out higher when a connection was established, however Apple engagement did little to maintain the automobile/cellphone Bluetooth connection in place between drives. On the plus aspect, the Beats-brand audio system, customary on the SEL, does a pleasant job reproducing the mid-century American jazz favored by this editor.
On the highway the Taos acquits itself properly. The little crossover rides and handles properly, and the cabin is usually quiet, particularly for the category. For no matter purpose, AWD Taos fashions make use of a extra subtle rear-suspension design, the impression of which is best really feel in quick corners and on curvy roads, but in addition rather less cargo house.
Round city the DCT automated transmission might be clunky, shifting extra in low-speed driving than appears obligatory, and sometimes shifting harshly when accelerating from a cease. If a Taos take a look at drive is in your future, make sure and spend a while evaluating the automobile in low-speed site visitors; it’s attainable you could discover the drivetrain too “busy” for every day commuting chores. That mentioned, the small turbocharged engine supplies higher than ample energy for all however the most-aggressive passing maneuvers.
And whereas the Taos AWD drivetrain possibly balky in site visitors, it’s definitely environment friendly. In driving that favored metropolis circumstances, we noticed higher than 29 mpg. And, the Taos is ok operating on regular-grade gasoline.
In a nutshell, the Taos is an aesthetic, upscale-feeling little crossover than affords up a surprisingly roomy and cozy cabin, and wonderful gas economic system. We’re dissatisfied by the glitchy connectivity and the shortage of slow-speed drivetrain smoothness, although maybe the latter might be chalked as much as “character.”
So far as security is worried, VW’s complete IQ.Drive suite of driver-assistance programs is customary on all Taos trim ranges. Some extent of worth: Taos presents higher in a decrease trim degree, however we don’t discover our take a look at automobile’s price ticket particularly off placing. We advocate the midlevel SE, however admire why a client would possibly wish to benefit from the moreover stylish environs of the SEL.
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2024 Volkswagen Taos SEL Gallery
(Click on beneath for enlarged photos)
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