All the trim levels of the 2022 Volkswagen Taos feature a 1.5-liter turbocharged direct-injected four-cylinder engine that makes 158 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. Priced at an MSRP of $22,995, the base S model comes with 17-inch wheels, standard LED headlights and taillights, keyless entry, automatic headlights, and manual adjusting seats.

The S also offers an All-Weather Package that includes heated front seats, side mirrors, and washer nozzles. The S AWD variant costs $2,000 more than the FWD version. 

The SE trim with front-wheel drive costs $27,245 and adds features such as 18-inch wheels, a better infotainment system, wireless charging, a power front seat, Blind Spot Monitor, Rear Traffic Alert, and Front Assist. The range-topping SEL trim priced at $31,390 brings 19-inch wheels, a Beats audio system, ventilated front seats, dual-zone climate control, and IQ Drive Assist. 

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We liked the SE trim as it is priced at a perfect slot putting an array of features that make the VW Taos a convenient car. The SE trim costs $27,245, which is just $3000 more than the S AWD model. The SE trim adds 18-inch alloy wheels, wireless charging, a blind spot monitor, and better infotainment.

 Powering the new Volkswagen Taos is a new 1.5L turbocharged inline-4 engine producing 158 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. It is an upgraded version of the 1.4L unit in the Volkswagen Jetta with improved performance. The Taos will be available in both front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive configurations, with the former getting a conventional 8-speed automatic transmission, and the latter gets a quick-shifting 7-speed DCT unit for better performance. 

Regardless of the drivetrain, the Taos is not the best performing crossover in its class and begs for more power when driven hard. To improve performance, the new 1.5 engine gets special thermal coating on the cylinder walls to reduce friction levels, and a variable geometry turbocharger to reduce flat spots in the rev range, to improve performance with minimal impact to efficiency.

Despite being a 1.5L unit, it will satisfy most prospective buyers with adequate performance and improved efficiency. As expected, the all-wheel-drive models, which get a quicker 7-speed DCT unit will be marginally faster than the regular models but pays the price on the efficiency front. There are no hybrid drivetrains on offer yet, but Volkswagen could introduce an electric version later in its lifecycle, similar to the one sold in China.

Even with the small 1.5L unit, the Taos offers adequate performance thanks to turbocharging and reaches 60 MPH in just 8 seconds. The quarter-mile time stands at 16.9 seconds, which is respectable for a small crossover. The All-wheel-drive models are slightly faster thanks to a quicker DCT transmission and improved grip levels.

Thanks to forced induction, the 2022 Volkswagen Taos can keep up, and even beat competitors like the Subaru Crosstrek and Hyundai Tucson despite the smaller capacity engine. However, it is still beaten by the Mazda CX-30 which puts down more power and houses a much larger 2.5L engine.

How does the 2022 Volkswagen Taos handle?

With the new Taos, Volkswagen has concentrated more on comfort rather than driving pleasure, which is evident in the softly sprung suspension setup. The high stance and soft suspension setup results in a lot of body lean when tackling corners at higher speeds. The steering is one of the better ones from Volkswagen with accurate inputs and good feedback, but it is let down by the suspension setup.

The soft suspension setup does help it tackle bad roads with ease. Overall, the Taos handles like most crossovers in its segment with a pliant ride quality that will please most customers. Predictably, the AWD model drives better with plenty of grip in tricky situations.

The Volkswagen Taos is surprisingly efficient with EPA ratings of 28 MPG and 36 MPG on the highway, which are higher than most of its rivals. The AWD models will cut the ratings down to 25 MPG in the city and 32 MPG on the highway. Even though there are no hybrid models in the lineup, the efficient 1.5L engine doesn’t warrant the need for one, at least in the coming years.

The Volkswagen Taos easily beats out all of its competitors in the FWD configuration, with a combined rating of 31 MPG. While the Subaru Crosstrek offers similar efficiency, both the Mazda CX-30 and Hyundai Tucson guzzle a lot more fuel.

 The interiors of the Volkswagen Taos look and feel eerily similar to the Volkswagen Jetta with a two-layer design. High-quality plastics cover most surfaces, along with glossy plastic trim to improve overall looks. The top portion houses the new MIB infotainment system and AC vents, while the climate controls are neatly tucked in the bottom portion with easy access. 

All models of the Taos get Volkswagen's 10.25-inch digital cockpit as standard, which shows plenty of information. The interior packaging is well sorted with a surprising amount of space for the rear seat passengers. Leg space stands at 37.9 inches at the rear and 40.1 inches at the front, which are perfectly adequate even for bigger passengers.

The lower trims get comfortable cloth seats as standard, which are upgraded to leather in the top-end SEL trim. The Taos also gets a long feature list, with the higher trims getting ambient lighting, dual-zone climate control, heated and ventilated front seats with 8-way power adjustability for the driver, a panoramic sunroof, and more.

Although most of the specs are yet to be revealed, the Volkswagen Taos makes a solid case for itself with plenty of space on the inside and a long feature list, however, the Hyundai Tucson beats it with better space in both rows. The Subaru Crosstrek gets the most space at the front, while the Mazda CX-30 gets the least space overall.

The Volkswagen Taos offers an impressive 28.1 cubic feet of storage, which can be further expanded by folding the rear seats, The AWD models offer slightly less space at 24.9 cubic feet. Like the interior space, the Hyundai Tucson also gets the highest cargo capacity at 31 cubic feet. Both the Mazda CX-30 and Subaru Crosstrek offer less than 21 cubic feet of storage.

Some notable interior features include:

• 10.25-inch digital cockpit
• Dual-zone climate control
• Customizable ambient lighting
• Multi-functional steering wheel
• 6-way manual adjustable front seats
• Manual air conditioning
• Heated and ventilated front seats
• Front center armrest with storage compartment
• Leather upholstery with 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat

2022 Volkswagen Taos: Infotainment and Connectivity

The 2022 Taos gets Volkswagen's new MIB 3 infotainment system which gets a slick interface and includes all the latest features like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, Wi-Fi hotspot, and more. The lower trims get a 6.5-inch touchscreen as standard, while the higher trims get a bigger 8-inch system. The top-end SEL trim also gets navigation, wireless charging, app connect, multi-phone pairing, and several USB-C ports.

Volkswagen also offers an optional 8-speaker Beats audio system, the Volkswagen car-net system with remote access, Alexa, and family guardian features to further spruce up the Taos. Volkswagen’s digital cockpit includes a lot of useful features and is highly customizable with digital gauges, navigation, and more.

Some notable infotainment features include:

• An 8-inch MIB3 infotainment system
• 8-speaker audio system from BeatsAudio
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity
• 2 front USB-C data ports
• Wi-Fi Hotspot
• Volkswagen Car-Net services
• Wireless charging
• Bluetooth with multi-phone pairing

 The exteriors get a typical Volkswagen design with edgy and modern styling. Viewed from the front, the Taos looks like a shrunk-down Atlas SUV with the same headlight and grille design, albeit a lot smaller. The rear looks like most other Volkswagen SUVs complete with dual fake exhaust tops and a diffuser. Both the headlights are connected by an LED strip on the grille, which gives the Taos a distinct light profile in the dark.

Alloy wheel sizes range from 17 to 19 inches, depending on the trim level. Volkswagen also offers the basecamp accessory pack which adds custom body cladding, fender flares with splash guards, and lower side plates to give the Taos a more rugged look. All these components will also be available individually upon launch.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos is larger than both the Mazda CX-30 and Subaru Crosstek in terms of exterior dimensions, and also gets the longest wheelbase at 105.9 inches. The Hyundai Tucson beats it in terms of size but gets a slightly shorter wheelbase at 105.1 inches.

Exterior Features:

• 17-inch alloy wheels
• Automatic headlights with smart Home feature
• Black roof rails
• LED headlights with LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL)
• LED tail lights
• Power-operated side mirrors

The new VW Taos features automatic post-collision braking, avoiding any chance of a second impact. In case of collision, it cuts off the fuel supply and unlocks all the doors, and also switches on the hazard lights via the Intelligent Crash Response System feature.

The SEL model comes with standard VW's IQ Drive that consists of front and rear radar, a front camera, and an array of ultrasound sensors. The Taos also offers Travel Assist, which is Volkswagen's homegrown automated driving setup that works in between 0 to 95 mph.

Notable safety features include:

• Crash-optimized front end
• Electronic Brake-pressure Distribution
• Anti-lock Braking System
• Hydraulic Brake Assist
• Electronic Stability Control
• Electronic Differential Lock
• Intelligent Crash Response System (ICRS)
• Side Curtain Protection head airbags, front, and rear
• Rear View Camera System
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
• Driver and front passenger, front and side thorax airbag supplemental restraint system
• LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) child seat anchor points

Despite its late entry into the US market, the 2022 Taos has all the makings to be Volkswagen’s best-selling model by a long way. The compact crossover segment has become one of the most popular segments in recent years, and the Volkswagen Taos combines all the traits most customers are looking for at an affordable price. Regardless of its shortcomings like average handling and low power output, the 2022 Volkswagen Taos is definitely worth the wait and should be strongly considered if you’re in the market for a versatile and comfortable compact crossover.