2022 Volkswagen Taos plays big role among subcompact SUVs

Update 11/18/22: This review has been updated with test results for the all-wheel drive model.

Updated August 23, 2021: This review has been updated with test results for the front-wheel drive model.

completely new 2022 Volkswagen Taos It is a product with a familiar pattern in the automobile industry. As a particular vehicle segment (in this case, a crossover) grows in popularity, manufacturers tend to expand and differentiate their entries to make room for new models to fill newly created gaps in their lineup.When VW lineup The growing number of SUVs in the US, including the compact Tiguan, the midsize Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport, and the electric ID. There are vacancies. in the likes of jeep compass, Kia SertosWhen subaru crosstrekIt also helps that VW does not offer American The regular non-GTI version of the latest Golf hatchback, we are still suffering. At least the Taos is a charming little crossover in most respects.

“Little” is misleading, however, as Taos is one of the bigger players in its class. sits on a 105.9-inch wheelbase. It has a huge rear seat for a subcompact SUV, and a large, easily accessible cargo hold allows him to store 25 cubic feet (or 28 if he gives up all-wheel drive) behind the rear seats. can be swallowed. If you don’t know to look for its distinctive design cues on the road (the wide LED light bar that connects the standard LED headlights and the chrome TAOS lettering on the rear liftgate), it can easily be mistaken for the (slightly) larger one. There is a nature. TiguanAccording to Volkswagen, the name Taos refers to a rugged and picturesque town in New Mexico. We didn’t go there for the drive, but we drove across local Michigan haunts in front and all wheel drive variations.

Taos’ power source New 1.5 liter version EA211 The 1.4 liter EA211 with turbocharged in-line four is installed in the Jetta sedan. With the help of a variable-geometry turbocharger boost, the engine gleefully rumbles to his 6000-rpm redline, developing 158 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. This is less grunt than you get from his top spec 175 hp Celtos 1.6T or his 250 hp. Mazda CX-30 Turbo but enough to merge onto the highway. The standard front-wheel drive model pairs the Turbo 4 with his traditional eight-speed automatic transmission. The all-wheel-drive version features his seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, which VW calls a direct-shift gearbox (DSG). According to the company, the split allowed them to focus on both the improved fuel efficiency of the eight-speed and the sportier driving character of the dual-clutch.

The front-wheel-drive SEL model we tested reached 60 mph in 7.4 seconds and covered the quarter-mile in 15.8 seconds at 87 mph, slightly faster than the newest. Subaru Crosstrek with 2.5 liter flat four Much faster than the Jeep Compass. His SEL 4Motion example with all-wheel drive (at 3557 pounds and weighing 313 pounds more than his driver at the front) slowed to just 100 km/h, hitting that mark in 7.5 seconds. The same he also clocked his quarter-mile time of 15.8 seconds.more powerful Kia Seltos with turbochargerHowever, it’s about half a second faster than the VW at both 60 miles and quarter miles.

That said, the front-wheel-drive Taos is a fuel-savvy choice, with a combined EPA fuel economy estimate of 31 mpg, compared to 28 mpg for the all-wheel-drive model. Our front-drive example fared well in the real world averaging 30 mpg, hitting an impressive 40 mpg on our 75 mph highway test, beating the federal government rating by 4 mpg. The Kia (both AWD) could only hit 30 mpg on the highway. It lags significantly behind the 33 mpg achieved by the all-wheel-drive Taos in that test. All in all, the AWD version averaged 29 mpg while in our care.

But the DSG in the 4Motion models does not convince itself of its role as a sporty transmission. Its shifting is generally quick and well-tuned at high speed, but it lacks the understated smoothness of the eight-speed and is relatively jerky around town and under quick on-off-on-throttle applications. , Eco, Sport, and a drive mode selector with separate settings, but even in the most aggressive mode the dual-clutch hesitates between upshifts under hard acceleration. So rather than using a slow-shifting manual gate, let the DSG select its own gears most of the time.

Another key difference between the two drivelines is the rear suspension. The front-wheel drive Taos uses a torsion beam in the rear, and the all-wheel drive uses a multi-link. This is why there are two wheelbase lengths. The better composure and fuller feel of the Multi-Link make the all-wheel-drive Taos our clear choice. The all-wheel-drive Taos is the heaviest of his two variants, but its more refined suspension gives it greater control over the body and boosts driver confidence. His 4Motion model with the slightly wider 19″ All Season tires has a 0.85g skid pad compared to the narrower 18″ front for his drivers and 0.83g for his grip was recorded.

Braking ability is ample, with some stickiness in the first inch or so of travel, but controlled via the easy-to-adjust pedals. Naturally, the 185-foot stopping distance from 70 mph was nine feet longer than his front-wheel-drive SEL would require, so the all-wheel-drive version’s greater mass was an obstacle here. Still, it has a decent ride quality and a reasonably low level of interior noise. 68 decibels at a 70 mph cruise with the front driver. The 71-Load Isolation on 4Motion models is suitable for vehicles starting at $24,790. Don’t expect golf-level agility from the Taos’ extra girth and high center of gravity.

From the low liftover height of the cargo floor, to the climate control vents in the rear, to the ability to easily accommodate footers over six feet in front and rear, the Taos interior is underscored by its functionality. This subcompact feels solidly built, and the quality of materials is commensurate with the price, but especially in his top-spec $30,000-plus SEL model, it’s made of hard, shiny plastic. The dash top of his panel looks cheap. While not a bold inspiration, the Taos’ cabin benefits from contoured trim pieces and contrasting colors to give it more personality. The soft-touch materials are soft enough and well-placed, and there’s the familiar thick-rimmed steering wheel from VW. Seating options include upholstery on the base model, leather at the top of the range, and a leather/fabric combination with non-slip inserts for his SE trim in the mid-level. Both offer excellent comfort and excellent visibility.

At 72.5 inches, the Taos is actually one size wider than the Tiguan and feels just as roomy in terms of elbow space. Unlike the Tiguan, there is no third row of seats. The base model has an 8.0-inch digital instrument cluster and a 6.5-inch center touchscreen, while the higher-trim displays increase to 10.3-inch and 8.0-inch respectively. I like that Taos is sticking with VW’s more familiar infotainment system rather than embracing the less intuitive new version of the ID.4. we are still warming upAmbient lighting, automatic headlights and VW’s App Connect smartphone integration system are all standard.

An additional microprocessor controls the IQ.Drive bundle of active safety functions. Stop-and-Go Adaptive Cruise Control with semi-automatic assistance, Active Blind Spot Monitoring, Lane Keeping Assist, Automatic Forward Collision Warning, and Emergency Braking. IQ.Drive is an $895 to $995 option on lower S and SE trims and standard on the top SEL.Notable extras include a heated steering wheel, a panoramic sunroof, and a yet to be released base camp appearance package Adds off-road flair.

As it happens, the Starter S model’s competitive $24,790 base price is virtually identical to the price of the outgoing Golf hatchback that the Taos more or less replaces. Budget $29,190 for the SE trim, a hefty $33,385 for the SEL model, and $1450-$2045 more if you want all-wheel drive. Depending on configuration, these prices place the Taos very close to certain versions of the larger Tiguan, starting at $27,785. Still, given the Taos’ generous packaging and strong equipment list, potential Tiguan buyers won’t have to sacrifice much when stepping down to this new lower tier of the brand’s model range. The Taos isn’t a substitute for the fun driving golf we like, but it’s a solid anchor in VW’s SUV lineup.