2022 Volkswagen Taos Reviews: Unpacking VW's New Compact SUV

Volkswagen’s lineup is already well-stocked with SUVs, most notably the Tiguan. So, when the German automaker announced the 2022 Volkswagen Taos, many, including seasoned auto experts, were left scratching their heads. Priced surprisingly close to the Tiguan, this new, slightly smaller crossover begs the question: what exactly is the point of the Taos? Skepticism is natural, but a fresh model deserves a fair shake. After spending a week thoroughly examining the 2022 Volkswagen Taos, we delve into the details to see if this compact SUV carves out its own niche, or if it simply muddies the waters in VW’s already crowded SUV pool.

The Positives: Fuel Efficiency, Space, and Balanced Handling

For those prioritizing fuel savings, the Taos immediately impresses. Its 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine is remarkably efficient. During our tests, the Taos sipped regular gasoline to achieve an impressive 31 MPG overall. On long highway stretches, this figure climbed even higher, reaching a notable 37 MPG. Comparing this to the larger Tiguan with its 2.0-liter engine, the difference is stark. The Tiguan struggles to reach even 21 MPG overall and manages only 31 MPG on the highway. The Taos represents a significant leap forward in fuel economy for Volkswagen in this segment.

While not a speed demon, the Taos’s acceleration is adequate for daily driving and competitive within its class of compact SUVs. The front-wheel-drive model we tested clocked a 0-60 MPH time of 8.1 seconds, which is on par with many of its rivals.

Despite its “compact” classification, measuring 176 inches in length, the 2022 Taos is surprisingly spacious inside. Both front and rear passengers enjoy ample legroom and headroom. Opening the tailgate reveals a genuinely usable cargo area, capable of handling everyday needs. While the Tiguan offers a virtually unusable optional third row, in terms of practical passenger and cargo space in the first two rows, the Taos doesn’t feel significantly smaller once you’re inside.

Stylistically, the Taos adopts Volkswagen’s signature understated design language. It’s a handsome vehicle, albeit less flamboyant than some of its Japanese and Korean competitors. VW’s commitment to a conservative yet recognizable aesthetic across their range is evident in the Taos, appealing to brand loyalists who appreciate a refined, rather than flashy, look in an entry-level SUV. Those seeking bolder styling might find the Taos a bit too subtle.

Built upon VW’s versatile MQB platform, which underpins a large portion of their model range, the Taos delivers predictable and respectable handling. While the all-season tires prioritize comfort over ultimate grip – leading to tire squeal when pushed in corners – the overall chassis balance is commendable. In spirited driving, the Taos exhibits a playful adjustability. Entering a corner too hot, the front tires will predictably begin to lose grip and push wide (understeer). However, lifting off the throttle gently brings the front end back in line, inducing a subtle rotation that helps steer the car back on course. This responsiveness and adjustability are welcome traits, though the limits of grip are modest. Ride quality is also a strong point, with the suspension effectively absorbing bumps and providing a comfortable experience.

The Downsides: Price, Interior Quality, and Transmission Quirks

Despite its strengths, the Taos is not without its drawbacks. One immediately noticeable annoyance is the excessively loud and jarring warning chimes. Opening the door while the engine is running, or even simply entering the vehicle, triggers a series of gongs that are simply too loud. Frustratingly, there is no way to adjust the volume of these alerts within the car’s settings. It’s an unnecessarily intrusive reminder you’re in a car.

Perhaps the most significant issue is the Taos’s pricing structure, particularly in the higher trim levels. The base price is attractive, falling comfortably below $25,000, making it a competitive entry point. The SE trim, around $28,000, also represents solid value. However, the top-of-the-line SEL model we tested approached a hefty $34,000. To put this into perspective, a Tiguan SEL with all-wheel drive we tested the previous year came in at only slightly more, at $34,657. Even at their base configurations, the price difference between the Taos and Tiguan is only about $2,000-$3,000. This tight pricing overlap undermines the Taos’s value proposition, especially in the higher trims. Volkswagen risks positioning these two SUVs too closely, creating internal competition and potentially confusing customers.

Adding to the price concern, the interior quality of the Taos SEL doesn’t quite justify its near-$34,000 price tag. Below the $30,000 mark, the interior is acceptable, especially in base models. But at this higher price point, the material quality feels lacking. We recently tested a Hyundai Tucson Hybrid, which achieves similar fuel economy to the Taos, offers more interior space, and boasts a more upscale interior, all for a comparable price. The Taos interior is characterized by an abundance of hard plastics and budget-feeling materials.

The driver’s seat, while adequate for shorter trips, is rather flat and lacks proper support for longer journeys. While the front door panels feature some soft padding, the rear door panels are almost entirely hard plastic – a noticeable downgrade in perceived quality, even though they visually resemble the front doors. This cost-saving measure is more common in truly budget-oriented cars, but the stark contrast in the Taos is quite apparent.

Further detracting from the premium aspiration of the SEL trim, the rear door handles operate with a loud and clunky action. We also experienced an issue with the radio system during our test. On one occasion, the entire audio system failed to produce any sound, across all sources – AM/FM, satellite radio, Bluetooth, and Apple CarPlay. Cycling the car on and off, locking and unlocking, and waiting for short periods did not resolve the issue. Only after a longer stop of several minutes did the radio miraculously return to normal operation. Such glitches are unwelcome in a new vehicle. The infotainment system, while generally functional, can also exhibit occasional lag and could benefit from a more intuitive user interface.

While the Taos exhibits balanced handling, the steering feel leaves something to be desired. The steering wheel itself is comfortable to hold, but the steering can feel nervous and overly light, particularly at higher speeds. Small steering inputs can result in abrupt directional changes, suggesting a need for more weight and on-center feel.

However, the most significant driving dynamic issue lies in the throttle response and transmission calibration. In city driving, achieving smooth acceleration required conscious effort. When pulling away from a stop and applying throttle progressively, the transmission is eager to upshift very early – likely in pursuit of maximizing fuel economy. While early upshifts are generally acceptable with a flexible engine like the Taos’s 1.5T, the problem arises when you need to apply slightly more throttle to maintain acceleration after the upshift. Instead of simply holding the higher gear, the transmission often abruptly downshifts. This unwanted downshift creates a jolt and an unpleasant surge of acceleration precisely when smooth, progressive acceleration is desired. To avoid this jerky behavior, one must be exceptionally gentle with the throttle, sometimes resulting in a feeling of sluggishness. This transmission behavior is unusual compared to other vehicles we’ve recently driven, which respond more predictably to throttle inputs.

The front-wheel-drive Taos models utilize an eight-speed automatic transmission, while all-wheel-drive versions are equipped with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. It would be interesting to evaluate whether the dual-clutch transmission exhibits similar quirks in throttle response and gear selection. We also noted some disconcerting powertrain pulsations during hard acceleration uphill at around 3,000 RPM, within the engine’s peak power band.

Verdict: Best at the Base Level

After a week of driving and evaluating the 2022 Volkswagen Taos, our initial confusion about its place in VW’s lineup persists to some degree. The Taos is a competent and even likeable vehicle, particularly in its more affordable configurations. If you can forego some of the higher-end options and don’t require all-wheel drive (which is unnecessary for many drivers, especially given VW’s expertise in front-wheel-drive engineering and torque management), the Taos becomes a compelling option in the sub-$30,000 compact SUV segment.

However, as the price climbs above $30,000 and reaches the as-tested price of nearly $34,000 for the SEL trim, the Taos’s appeal diminishes significantly. This price point, especially for a front-wheel-drive model, simply doesn’t align with the vehicle’s overall execution and feature set. Opting for all-wheel drive further inflates the price, making it even harder to justify.

The fundamental question remains: why did Volkswagen introduce a new gasoline-powered model in 2021, especially with the electric ID.4 crossover already on the market? While the ID.4 is positioned at a higher price point, the market trend is clearly shifting towards electrification. A smaller, more affordable EV, similar to the European-market ID.3 (which, notably, is not available in the USA), might have been a more forward-thinking approach.

Compared to its sibling, the Tiguan, the Taos falls slightly short in most areas, with the notable exception of fuel economy. The Tiguan, being heavier, suffers from dismal fuel efficiency. However, the dramatic difference in fuel economy between the two could be the deciding factor for many buyers, especially considering the Taos offers ample space for its class.

To better differentiate itself, the Tiguan likely needs a significant overhaul to better distinguish itself from its newer, more fuel-efficient sibling. As it stands, within the current VW range, the Golf hatchback remains our top pick, offering superior driving dynamics and performance compared to both the Taos and Tiguan.

2022 Volkswagen Taos 1.5T SEL Specifications:

As-tested price: $33,885
Pros: Affordable starting price, excellent fuel economy for its class.
Cons: Expensive upper trim levels, transmission programming issues, interior quality not commensurate with top trim price.
Verdict: The 2022 Volkswagen Taos is a decent compact SUV, but its value proposition is strongest in its lower trims, as higher trims overlap uncomfortably with the larger Tiguan and lack the premium feel to justify their price.

2022 Volkswagen Taos SEL front three quarter view on road

2022 Volkswagen Taos SEL rear view on test drive