The 2022 Volkswagen Taos entered the crowded compact SUV market, sparking a key question among automotive enthusiasts and potential buyers: what exactly is its purpose within Volkswagen’s own lineup, especially when positioned so closely to the Tiguan? Skepticism aside, the Taos arrives with the promise of fuel efficiency and Volkswagen’s reputable engineering. This review delves into the specifics of the 2022 Volkswagen Taos, exploring its strengths and weaknesses to determine if this new crossover carves out a valuable space for itself.
The High Points of the 2022 Volkswagen Taos
For those prioritizing fuel economy, the 2022 Volkswagen Taos emerges as a compelling option. Equipped with a 1.5L turbocharged four-cylinder engine, this compact SUV demonstrates impressive fuel efficiency, achieving 31 MPG overall on regular gasoline. Notably, highway driving extends this to a remarkable 37 MPG. Comparing this to the larger Volkswagen Tiguan and its 2.0L engine, which struggles to reach 21 MPG overall and 31 MPG on the highway, the Taos showcases a significant leap in efficiency. This enhanced fuel economy positions the 2022 Taos as a smart choice for budget-conscious drivers.
While not boasting rapid acceleration, the 2022 Volkswagen Taos maintains competitiveness within its class. The front-wheel-drive model achieves a 0-60 MPH time of 8.1 seconds, aligning with other vehicles in its segment that prioritize efficiency over outright speed.
Despite its “compact” classification, measuring 176 inches in length, the Taos surprises with its spacious interior. Both front and rear passengers enjoy ample room, complemented by a functional cargo area accessible via the tailgate. While the Tiguan offers a (somewhat impractical) optional third row, the Taos provides comparable interior space in the primary seating areas, making it a genuinely family-friendly compact SUV.
The design of the 2022 Taos embodies Volkswagen’s signature understated style. While perhaps not as flamboyant as some rivals from Japanese and South Korean manufacturers, the Taos presents a handsome and recognizably Volkswagen aesthetic. This conservative design approach will likely appeal to brand loyalists who appreciate a refined and familiar look in an entry-level vehicle. For those seeking bolder styling, alternatives might be more appealing.
Built on Volkswagen’s widely used MQB platform, the 2022 Taos delivers predictable and commendable handling. Although the all-season tires offer modest grip, leading to tire squeal when pushed, the overall chassis balance is praiseworthy. In cornering, the Taos exhibits manageable understeer which can be easily corrected by lifting off the throttle, allowing the front tires to regain traction and promoting a degree of rotation. This adjustability and playful nature are positives, even if ultimate grip levels are limited. Ride quality also meets expectations, with the suspension effectively absorbing road imperfections and ensuring a comfortable experience.
Areas for Improvement in the 2022 Volkswagen Taos
Despite its positive attributes, the 2022 Volkswagen Taos is not without its drawbacks. One immediately noticeable issue is the excessively loud and jarring warning chimes. These “gongs and bongs,” as the original reviewer aptly describes them, are triggered by actions like opening the door while the engine is running, and their volume is unadjustable, creating an unnecessarily intrusive auditory experience.
Price becomes a significant point of contention, particularly when considering the higher trim levels. While the base price of the 2022 Volkswagen Taos remains attractive, comfortably under $25,000, and the SE trim around $28,000 offers solid value, the top-tier SEL model approaches $34,000. This pricing strategy places the Taos uncomfortably close to the larger Volkswagen Tiguan. Notably, an all-wheel-drive Tiguan SEL tested the previous year was only marginally more expensive. This narrow price gap diminishes the Taos’s appeal, as the larger and arguably more versatile Tiguan becomes a readily available alternative for a similar investment. The pricing structure raises questions about Volkswagen’s strategy in differentiating these two SUVs within their own product range.
Interior material quality also falls short of expectations at the SEL trim’s price point. Below the $30,000 mark, the interior is acceptable for its class, but as the price escalates, the abundance of hard plastics becomes more noticeable. Compared to competitors like the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid, which offers a more upscale interior at a comparable price, the Taos’s cabin feels less refined. The stark contrast between the soft-padded front door panels and the hard plastic rear door panels further emphasizes this discrepancy in material quality.
Seat comfort is another area where the 2022 Volkswagen Taos could improve. The driver’s seat is described as flat and lacking in support, although it remained adequate for a two-hour journey. However, for longer drives, more supportive seats would be preferable.
Further criticisms include the loud and somewhat clunky rear door handles and intermittent issues with the radio system. The stereo malfunctioned during one drive, losing all audio output across different sources, and required an extended stop to reset. While the infotainment system is generally standard, occasional lag was observed, and overall ease of use could be enhanced.
The steering feel is described as nervous and overly light, requiring small inputs that can lead to abrupt responses. Increased steering weight would likely improve driver confidence and control. However, the most significant driving dynamic concern lies in the throttle response and transmission calibration. In city driving, achieving smooth acceleration proves challenging. The transmission’s eagerness to upshift for fuel efficiency, coupled with an overly sensitive downshift response to even slight throttle adjustments, creates jerky and unpleasant driving behavior. This characteristic necessitates an unusually restrained approach to throttle input to avoid unwanted downshifts and surging. It’s noted that front-wheel-drive Taos models utilize an eight-speed automatic transmission, while all-wheel-drive versions employ a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission (DSG), raising questions about whether the DSG exhibits similar behavior. The review also mentions experiencing powertrain pulsation during hard acceleration uphill at around 3,000 RPM.
Final Verdict on the 2022 Volkswagen Taos
The 2022 Volkswagen Taos presents a mixed bag. In its more affordable configurations, particularly the base and SE trims, it offers a compelling package. Its strengths lie in its excellent fuel economy, surprisingly spacious interior for its compact size, and agreeable driving dynamics. For buyers who don’t require all-wheel drive and are mindful of budget, the Taos represents a competitive and likable option under the $30,000 mark.
However, as the price climbs into the higher trim levels, especially the tested SEL model nearing $34,000, the value proposition diminishes considerably. At this price point, the shortcomings, such as the interior material quality, transmission quirks, and proximity to the larger Tiguan in price, become more pronounced. The decision to release a new gasoline-powered model in 2021, alongside the emerging ID.4 electric crossover, also raises strategic questions about Volkswagen’s long-term vision, particularly given the absence of the smaller, potentially more market-disrupting ID.3 EV in the US market.
Compared directly to the Tiguan, the Taos is arguably a less compelling vehicle in most aspects, except for its significantly superior fuel economy. This fuel efficiency advantage is substantial enough to sway many buyers towards the Taos, especially considering its adequate size. Ultimately, for Volkswagen to optimize its SUV lineup, a more distinct differentiation between the Tiguan and Taos is needed. Currently, the 2022 Volkswagen Taos operates most effectively as an entry-level, budget-conscious compact SUV, while for overall driving enjoyment within the VW range, the Golf hatchback remains a superior choice.
2022 Volkswagen Taos 1.5T SEL Specifications:
- As-tested price: $33,885
- Pros: Affordable starting price, outstanding fuel economy.
- Cons: Expensive options, transmission programming issues, questionable value at higher price points.
- Verdict: The 2022 Volkswagen Taos is best suited to its lower trims, as model range overlaps with the Tiguan.
