How much can a vw taos tow?
2022 Volkswagen Taos Review by Larry Nutson.
By Larry Nutson Executive Editor and Bureau Chief Chicago Bureau The Auto Channel.
Volkswagen has a new model in its lineup. It’s the entirely new 2022 Taos subcompact utility vehicle (UV). Actually, the Taos replaces the Golf hatchback in VW’s lineup. However note, the GTI and Golf R will continue.
Taos seats five, has decent cargo space and is offered in front-wheel or all-wheel drive in S, SE and SEL trims. It’s VW smallest UV---shorter than the VW Tiguan by 9.3 inches.
Riding on VW’s MQB platform, which is the same as the Golf, Taos is powered by a 158-hp 1.5-L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. Front-wheel drive with an 8-speed automatic or all-wheel drive with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic (DCT) is available on all trims.
EPA fuel economy ratings for front-drive models are 31 mpg combined, with 28 city mpg and 36 highway mpg. All-wheel drive models are rated 28 mpg combined, with 25 city mpg and 32 highway mpg.
The Taos uses a strut-type front suspension but has different rear suspension setups for the all-wheel and front-wheel drive models: AWD models have a multilink layout while FWD versions get a torsion beam.
The 4Motion all-wheel drive feature Active Control, which allows the driver to select specific vehicle profiles based on driving conditions. It has four settings: Onroad, Snow, Offroad, and Custom Offroad.
Taos is loaded with tech including a suite of the latest standard and available advanced driver-assistance safety (ADAS) features. VW’s Digital Cockpit is fitted as standard, along with the next-gen Car-Net telematics system, offering five years of Remote Access services at no additional charge and in-car Wi-Fi capability.
Wireless charging, wireless App-Connect for compatible devices, SiriusXM with 360L, BeatsAudio premium sound system, keyless entry, and heated front seats are available.
MSRP for the Taos S starts at $22,995 for front-wheel drive and $25,040 with 4Motion all-wheel drive. Destination charge is $1,195.
Taos is 175.8 inches long. Front-wheel drive models have 27.9 cu ft of luggage space behind the second-row seats and 65.9 cu ft with the second row folded down. All-wheel drive models have 24.9 cu ft of space behind the second row and 60.2 cu ft with the seat folded.
I drove an SE with all-wheel drive ($28,695) for a few days of evaluation. The power train delivers good all-around performance with decent acceleration from stop as well as mid-range merging and passing. The 7-speed DCT in combination with the turbo engine were well in sync. I like that a DCT provides a more sporty drive compared to a traditional automatic. Ride is comfortable and overall handling is confident and well balanced.
On the outside the Taos has good proportions, better than some other too-tall small utility vehicles. VW didn’t slope the roof a lot making for good interior space. LED headlights and LED taillights are standard.
The interior is surprisingly roomy, quiet and comfortable. Interior materials and finishes as well as controls and dials are very much like other VWs with a high level of functionality. The rear seat has lots of space and when combined with the rear cargo area you might think Taos is a much larger vehicle.
Every 2022 Taos comes with a transferable four years or 50,000-miles bumper-to-bumper New Vehicle Limited Warranty and Carefree Maintenance Program for two years or 20,000 miles.
VW has introduced a Basecamp accessory package for the Taos. Custom body cladding elements include aggressive front and rear fender flares with integrated splash guards, lower door side plates and a front grille Basecamp badge.
I see the new Taos showing up in many high school parking lots driven by upper class students. I also see the Taos very well suited for big-city urban residents who want a compact size vehicle on the outside for easy maneuvering in a crowded city and yet a roomy vehicle inside for out-of-town weekends. Coincidently, a neighbor who parks in the same garage as I has a new Taos that he bought for these very two reasons.
Like Taos, New Mexico, the VW Taos is worth a visit.
Volkswagen Will Take You to Taos for $24,190.
2022 Volkswagen Taos | Manufacturer image.
By Brian Normile.
Volkswagen has announced pricing for its upcoming smallest SUV, the 2022 Taos. Targeting entry-level SUV shoppers who may be priced out of the Tiguan, Volkswagen will sell the Taos with a starting price of $24,190 (all prices include destination). The Taos will compete against a crowded field of other affordable small SUVs including the Chevrolet Trailblazer, Kia Seltos, Mazda CX-30 and Subaru Crosstrek.
Here’s a quick look at each Taos trim level, including its starting price and standard equipment. All versions of the Taos use the same 158-horsepower, turbocharged 1.5-liter engine and are available with either front- or all-wheel drive. FWD versions will use an eight-speed automatic transmission and AWD versions a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.
Taos S: $24,190 (FWD)
The base Taos S comes standard with cloth upholstery, a 6.5-inch touchscreen multimedia display and an 8-inch digital instrument panel. It rides on standard 17-inch wheels; LED headlights, taillights and daytime running lights are also standard. Upgrading to AWD tacks on an additional $2,045 and will also add heated front seats, heated side mirrors and heated windshield washer nozzles. An optional $995 IQ.Drive S Package adds advanced safety tech including forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and blind spot warning, lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, along with convenience features like rain-sensing wipers and a heated steering wheel.
Taos SE: $28,440 (FWD)
In the middle of the Taos lineup is the SE, which comes standard with 18-inch wheels, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and blind spot warning as well as an 8-inch touchscreen multimedia display with VW’s latest MIB3 system. Heated front seats (including an eight-way power driver’s seat), heated body-colored side mirrors and heated windshield washer nozzles are also standard. The SE also includes wireless cellphone charging and three USB-C charging ports; the upholstery is upgraded to a combination of cloth and faux leather. Upgrading to AWD in the SE will cost $1,450. Other options on the SE include a $1,200 panoramic sunroof, black 18-inch wheels for $395 and the $895 IQ.Drive SE Package. With the latter, the rest of the advanced driver assistance features that don’t come standard with the SE — lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control and more — are added, as are additional convenience features like rain-sensing wipers, a heated steering wheel and automatic high beams.
Taos SEL: $32,685 (FWD)
At the top of the Taos range is the SEL, which will be easily identifiable by its standard illuminated grille. It upgrades the in-car tech with a 10.25-inch digital instrument panel and 8-inch touchscreen with built-in navigation. FWD Taos SELs will ride on 18-inch black wheels, while the AWD version gets 19-inch machined-finish rims. Leather upholstery is standard and AWD models will also get ventilated front seats. Other standard comfort features include dual-zone automatic climate control, ambient lighting and an eight-speaker premium BeatsAudio stereo. Rain-sensing wipers and the heated steering wheel are also standard on the SEL, as is the IQ.Drive suite of advanced safety tech. Adding AWD will cost $1,555, and the panoramic sunroof is a $1,200 option.
What About Competitors?
With a starting price of over $24,000 for a base model, the 2022 Taos starts on the pricier side of vehicles in its class, though we don’t currently have model-year 2022 pricing for all of its competition. The 2021 Kia Seltos, 2021 Mazda CX-30 and 2021 Subaru Crosstrek all start at just over $23,000 and the 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer starts under $23,000. Why compare those four ? Model-year 2021 versions were the entrants in our most recent comparison test of affordable small SUVs , which the Seltos won.
Given the larger Tiguan’s repeat victories over compact SUVs in our testing , it will be interesting to get behind the wheel of the Taos and see if VW can continue its dominance on a slightly smaller scale.
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