VW Taos Features Overview
Taos from Volkswagen compact SUV segment is popular among people who want a spacious, affordable vehicle that makes them feel like they belong. Out of 20 competitors, the Volkswagen Taos stands out because it meets the growing demand for fuel-efficient cars. Whether it has front- or all-wheel drive, the Taos impresses with its real-world fuel economy thanks to its efficient 158-horsepower, 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Even though the Taos can’t tow anything, it makes up for it by having plenty of space for groceries and other things, even with people in the back seats.
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In this highly competitive group, the Taos faces strong rivals like the Kia Seltos and Chevrolet Trailblazer. However, the Taos attracts potential buyers with its affordable starting price and roomy cabin, which can compete with bigger SUVs like the Tiguan. When we tested it, an all-wheel-drive Taos SEL went above its estimated fuel economy by an impressive 4 miles per gallon (mpg). It achieved an excellent 40 mpg during a 200-mile highway test at 75 mph. However, it’s important to note that the Taos interior uses a lot of plastic to keep costs down. As a result, it doesn’t feel as luxurious as the Mazda CX-30, which has a fancier cabin like a small luxury apartment compared to the VW.
What’s New in VW Taos 2023?
For the 2023 model year, Volkswagen’s compact crossover, the VW Taos, doesn’t change much but does get important equipment upgrades. Volkswagen has made safety features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian monitoring, blind spot monitor, and rear traffic alert standard in all versions. Also, the base S trim now has 18-inch wheels for all-wheel-drive models, which is an improvement from the previous 17-inch wheels. Additionally, the SEL trim now includes a fancy panoramic sunroof as a standard feature. These improvements make the VW Taos even more attractive and valuable for the 2023 model year.
Designed to bring you smiles
Exterior:
At a glance, you can see it’s up for adventure. A sculpted profile, boxed wheel arches, and an available illuminated grille give the Taos a style that excites.
Interior:
Inside the Taos, happiness can be measured in smiles. Style, sunlight, and spaciousness combine for an interior everyone can enjoy.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
VW Taos has Volkswagen’s new turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, which gives it 158 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. Front-wheel-drive models come with an eight-speed automatic transmission, while all-wheel-drive versions have a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. It’s important to know that the front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive Taos have different rear suspensions. The front-wheel-drive has a torsion-beam setup, and the all-wheel-drive has a more advanced multilink design. Interestingly, in our tests, we found that the acceleration performance of both drivetrains was similar. The front-wheel-drive Taos was only a little bit faster than the 4Motion version by one-tenth of a second in reaching 60 mph. The standard wheel size is 17 inches, but you can choose larger 18- or 19-inch wheels. In our evaluation, we were impressed by the engine’s strong performance at low speeds, the smooth operation of the eight-speed automatic transmission, and the comfortable ride quality of the suspension, especially on even roads.
Driver Assistance VW Taos
- Travel Assist
- Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
- Active Blind Spot Monitor
- Rear Traffic Alert
- Front Assist
- Emergency Assist
- Lane Assist
- Blind Spot Monitor
- Parking Distance Control
- Light Assist
- Dynamic Road Sign Display
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
The front-wheel-drive Taos gets around 28 miles per gallon (mpg) in the city and 36 mpg on the highway. While the all-wheel-drive model gets about 25 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway. In our own test, where we drove at a speed of 75 miles per hour on the highway, the front-wheel-drive Taos achieved an impressive 40 mpg, while the all-wheel-drive 4Motion version reached 33 mpg. If you want more detailed information about the Taos’s fuel economy, you can visit the EPA’s website.
Advance Technology of VW Taos
Every VW Taos has a modern infotainment system that includes a Wi-Fi hotspot, but you need a subscription to use it. The standard version has a 6.5-inch touchscreen, but you can choose to get the bigger 8.0-inch display instead. The system also has other cool features like built-in navigation, an eight-speaker Beats Audio stereo, Sirius XM satellite radio, and the convenience of wireless smartphone charging.
Rigid Safety
VW Taos, which is Volkswagen’s smallest crossover, offers various driver-assistance technologies to make driving safer. These technologies include forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking. If you want more information about how the Taos performed in crash tests, you can visit the websites of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). And the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The Taos also comes with important safety features like standard blind-spot monitoring. And rear cross-traffic alert, as well as standard forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking. Additionally, it has a standard rear traffic alert system that helps drivers stay aware of their surroundings and enhances safety.