Let’s be frank: the Volkswagen Taos might not be the vehicle that sets your pulse racing on paper. In a market saturated with compact SUVs, it’s easy to overlook another contender. Initial impressions might paint it as just another generic entry in the segment. However, spending time with the 2024 Volkswagen Taos reveals a surprisingly different story. Shedding the bells and whistles that often complicate modern cars, the Taos emerges as a refreshingly honest and practical compact SUV. This review dives deep into what makes the Volkswagen Taos stand out by focusing on what truly matters in a daily driver: usability, value, and a distinct lack of unnecessary “bullshit.”
Standout Features of the Volkswagen Taos: Color and Value
Img 3689 Large
In a world awash with monochrome cars, the first thing that grabs your attention about the Volkswagen Taos is its color options. Stepping away from the ubiquitous grays, silvers, and blacks, the Taos offers a palette that includes genuinely bold and cheerful colors. The test model, showcased in a striking, tree-frog green, was a welcome departure from the automotive grayscale norm. This pop of color isn’t just aesthetically pleasing; it signals a refreshing approach to car design that prioritizes personality over blandness.
Volkswagen’s color choices for the Taos, including the vibrant green and a rich blue, demonstrate a commitment to offering drivers a chance to express themselves through their vehicle’s hue. In a market where color options are often limited to variations of gray, the Taos stands out by embracing actual color. Hopefully, buyers will gravitate towards these more expressive options and steer clear of the more conventional, less exciting shades.
Beyond the visual appeal, the “green” aspect of the Taos extends to its price tag. In today’s market, where the average new car price approaches nearly $50,000, the Volkswagen Taos enters as a breath of fresh air with a starting price under $25,000. While adding features and opting for higher trims like the SEL 4MOTION model tested will increase the price to around $36,000, it still represents significant value compared to the average new vehicle cost in 2024.
This affordability, relative to the market, positions the Volkswagen Taos as an accessible option for buyers seeking a capable and well-rounded compact SUV without breaking the bank. It’s a compelling proposition: a vehicle that offers both visual appeal and financial sensibility in a segment often characterized by escalating prices.
Volkswagen Taos: Refreshingly Free of Unnecessary Complexity
Img 3692 Large
What truly sets the Volkswagen Taos apart is its remarkable simplicity. In an era where cars are increasingly laden with complex technology and often frustrating user interfaces, the Taos offers a refreshingly straightforward driving experience. It manages to incorporate modern automotive necessities without succumbing to the trend of over-engineering and unnecessary digital clutter.
This “no-bullshit” approach is evident throughout the vehicle, starting with the dashboard controls. After experiencing vehicles with touch-sensitive controls and convoluted menu systems, stepping into the Taos is like entering a haven of usability. The Taos retains physical buttons and knobs for essential functions like volume control and window operation.
Img 3711 Large
Img 3710 Large
This commitment to tactile controls means you can adjust settings without taking your eyes off the road or navigating through confusing digital menus. Everything is where you expect it to be, and functions exactly as intended, minimizing driver distraction and maximizing ease of use.
While the Taos includes Volkswagen’s native infotainment system with off-road data displays – features that are likely superfluous for the average driver – it thankfully prioritizes seamless smartphone integration. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, allowing users to effortlessly access their preferred navigation, music, and communication apps through the car’s interface.
Furthermore, the Volkswagen Taos boasts an exceptionally user-friendly wireless phone charging system. In contrast to the often finicky and unreliable wireless chargers found in many modern vehicles, the Taos’ charging pad works consistently and without hassle. It charges effectively without requiring precise phone placement, a testament to thoughtful design and functionality.
Img 3690 Large 2
Adding to this thoughtful design is a dedicated cooling vent positioned above the charging pad. This vent directs cool air to prevent phone overheating during charging, a common issue in many vehicles, particularly in warmer climates. This small but significant detail underscores the Taos’ focus on practical, user-centric design.
Interior Comfort and Practicality of the Volkswagen Taos
Img 3683 2 Large
Volkswagen has a reputation for crafting comfortable and inviting interiors, and the Taos upholds this tradition. The cabin is designed to feel airy and spacious, enhanced by an optional full-length panoramic sunroof that floods the interior with natural light. The combination of light and dark upholstery creates a pleasant and visually appealing environment.
Img 3684 2 Large
The materials used throughout the interior are surprisingly high quality for an entry-level SUV. The door cards, for instance, feature a bold design with comfortable armrests and ample storage. The stitching details are genuine, adding a touch of refinement often absent in vehicles in this class.
Taos Door Cc
Img 3712 Large
Both front and rear seats are comfortable and supportive, making the Taos suitable for longer journeys. Rear passengers also benefit from amenities like a fold-down armrest with cupholders, a pass-through for skis or other long items, and rear air vents and USB ports, enhancing passenger comfort and convenience.
Img 3682 2 Large
In terms of cargo space, the Volkswagen Taos provides a practical and generously sized area for a compact SUV. While it may not boast elaborate organizational systems, the cargo area is rectangular and spacious, offering approximately 25 cubic feet of space in the 4MOTION (all-wheel drive) version and 28 cubic feet in the front-wheel drive model. Folding down the rear seats expands the cargo capacity to 60 and 66 cubic feet, respectively.
Img 3675 2 Large
Adding to its practicality, the Taos includes a spare tire, located under the rear cargo floor. In an era where spare tires are becoming increasingly rare, this feature provides peace of mind for drivers.
Img 3676 2 Large
Driving Experience and Performance of the Volkswagen Taos
Img 3679 2 Large
The 2024 Volkswagen Taos receives a power bump, now delivering 174 horsepower and 185 pound-feet of torque from its 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Coupled with its relatively light weight of around 3,400 pounds, this powertrain provides adequate acceleration and performance for daily driving. The Taos is reported to achieve 0-60 mph in approximately seven seconds, which is respectable for its class.
The 8-speed automatic transmission, new for the 4MOTION version, generally performs well, although some shifts might feel slightly unusual at times. However, overall, the driving experience is competent and fulfills its purpose without drawing undue attention to itself – in a positive way. The Taos is designed to be an easy and undemanding vehicle to drive, a tool that efficiently gets you and your passengers where you need to go.
Img 3708 Large 2
Fuel efficiency is reasonable, with an observed average of 26 to 29 mpg in mixed driving conditions. While not exceptional, it’s within the expected range for a compact SUV with all-wheel drive, and likely to be even better in front-wheel drive models. Drivers prioritizing fuel economy can likely achieve higher mpg figures with more conservative driving habits.
Final Verdict: The Volkswagen Taos – A Refreshingly Sensible Choice
Taos Gonzo
The Volkswagen Taos isn’t trying to be revolutionary or packed with gimmicks. Instead, it excels at being a well-rounded, easy-to-live-with vehicle that capably handles the daily demands of modern life. While its front grille design might be a point of debate, the Taos presents an overall appealing aesthetic, especially when选择 in one of the bolder color options.
Img 3691 Large
In essence, the Taos is a modern interpretation of a compact wagon, offering a blend of practicality, comfort, and ease of use in a stylish SUV package. The taillights, with their illuminated VW logo and amber turn signals, are a noteworthy design element.
Red Emblem
Img 3678 2 Large
Perhaps the most compelling aspect of the Volkswagen Taos is what it doesn’t do: it doesn’t annoy you. In a market saturated with vehicles featuring frustrating technology and usability issues, the Taos stands out for its lack of unnecessary complications. It’s comfortable, easy to park and maneuver, drives adequately, offers ample space, and features intuitive controls.
For drivers seeking a dependable, no-nonsense vehicle that simply gets the job done without fuss, the Volkswagen Taos is definitely worth considering. While long-term reliability and maintenance aspects remain to be seen, the Taos, in its current form, presents a compelling option in the competitive compact SUV segment, particularly for those who appreciate straightforward functionality and a touch of color in their daily drive. And yes, especially in green.
