by Anthony Fongaro - Photos via VW- 08/29/2024
A few years ago, Volkswagen introduced its smallest SUV, the Taos. I then tested a mid-spec SE with front-wheel Drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission. This time, the top-of-the-line SEL with all-wheel Drive and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission graced my homestead. At $35,000, the Taos SEL 4Motion competes with ICEs and EVs for subcompact crossover dominance. The Taos needs excellent technology, power, exciting design, and a well-made interior. Does the Taos have what it takes to compete with the Kia Niro, Hyundai Kona, and Toyota Corolla Cross?
A few years on, the Taos is still a cute little crossover. At the front, the Taos has VW’s corporate LED headlights, a light bar, and fake vents. Pure Gray paint with black cladding matches well with some of the chrome trim throughout the exterior. As the SEL, this Taos came with 19-inch wheels and looks quite good. The rear houses the Taos name in all caps and a VW logo. Although it isn’t as stylish as a Mazda CX-30 or Hyundai Kona, the Taos looks quite good. The tall body helps with the dimensions and, as we go inside, gives us plenty of space.
Now that we are inside, you’ll first notice the amount of space. Volkswagen gave this Taos a lighter-colored interior, but there is a lot of hard plastic throughout the cabin. Looking at the steering wheel, there are controls for the media and safety systems. The Taos has a functional digital instrument display and Volkswagen’s usual infotainment system. It isn’t the slickest system, but it does come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Thankfully, this lower-end Volkswagen still has physical climate control. My particular passenger and I agreed that the seats weren’t comfortable since they felt flat. SEL Taos vehicles have heated and ventilated seats and a heated steering wheel. Audiophiles will enjoy the BeatsAudio sound system, which has more than enough bass. It’s a good interior, but the cheap bits are more in-your-face.
Under the hood is a 1.5-liter inline-four producing 158 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. While front-wheel-drive Taos vehicles come with an eight-speed automatic, all-wheel-drive models come with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. Either one of them gets to 60 MPH in around 7.5 seconds and returns 30 MPG. Usually, Volkswagen’s dual-clutch automatics aren’t the best when accelerating away but shift well while on the move. That wasn’t the same here. The shifts felt jerky, delayed, and borderline uncomfortable. It’s even worse when you put the giant shifter into its manual-shifting setting. Please keep it in Drive and remember to modulate the throttle.
Once you’re on the move, the Taos can overtake. You can adjust the drive mode to Sport, but the powertrain didn’t want to be pushed hard. This is a subcompact crossover, so city driving is where it’s the best. It’s maneuverable, and there isn’t a lot of body roll. While cruising on the highway, the safety systems within the VW ID. The drive works well with adaptive cruise control, lane keep assistance, and blind spot monitoring. At $35,000, this top-of-the-line Taos has all the features consumers would enjoy. For more budget-minded consumers, the SE comes in at $28,000. I’d recommend skipping the all-wheel-drive version and sticking with the front-wheel-drive and its eight-speed automatic. Stick with those; you have a great subcompact crossover with plenty of space.
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