Sunday Drive: 2023 VW Taos a stylish, capable compact SUV for the American market
All in for model year 2022, the Volkswagen Taos 1.5T SEL is a compact SUV that offers a perfect blend of style, performance and practicality in its class. For 2023, Volkswagen’s latest addition to its lineup aims to captivate the market with its sleek design, advanced technology and impressive features.
Prior to 2022, Volkswagen had relied on three models to make up its SUV offerings: the Tiguan, the Atlas and the Atlas Sport. The hugely successful launch of the Atlas back in 2017 helped the company build up its SUV line.
With SUVs dominating the American car market, it was no surprise that VW wanted in. The company has now come up with a compact offering for the American market with the Taos. The Golf model has enjoyed worldwide popularity, especially in the “hot hatch” category, and the new Taos — set to replace the Golf hatchback — should prove to be a great seller for the company.
The Taos will compete with the likes of the Jeep Compass, Subaru Crosstrek, Kia Seltos and Mazda CX-30. It comes with an available four-motion, all-wheel drive setup, a perfect combination for the Mountain West where AWD becomes a necessary evil during our winter months. We believe this fact alone will boost sales where the snow falls.
One of the standout aspects of the Taos is its exterior design. With its bold lines, muscular contours and distinctive LED headlights, the Taos exudes a confident and sporty appearance. Its compact size allows for easy maneuverability in urban settings, while its raised ride height and available 4MOTION all-wheel drive system give it the capability to handle various road conditions.
We found this to be very true as we took a Saturday and headed up American Fork Canyon on the Alpine Loop with the VW Taos. We eventually ended up at Cascade Springs, where it was somewhat cooler than the valley in early July, getting in a nice hike around the area.
After that, we took advantage of that all-wheel drive system heading up Thomas Canyon for a picnic lunch. We stopped about 10 miles up the dirt road after a great performance by the Taos on getting there and were able to watch as a fox got his lunch also.
Under the hood, the Taos is powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 158 horsepower and 184 foot-pounds of torque. This engine provides smooth acceleration and responsive power, making the Taos an enjoyable vehicle to drive both in city traffic and on the open highway. The standard eight-speed automatic transmission ensures seamless gear shifts and contributes to its overall efficiency.
Inside the cabin, the Taos offers a well-designed and spacious interior that prioritizes both comfort and functionality. The quality of materials used throughout the cabin is evident, and the attention to detail is very impressive. The front seats are supportive and offer a commanding driving position, while the rear seats provide ample legroom for passengers. The cargo space is also generous for a vehicle in its class, making it suitable for everyday errands with the occasional trip to Costco, as Deanne found out, or for just a weekend getaway that only includes a lunch in the mountains.
Technological features abound in the Taos. The 1.5T SEL trim comes equipped with Volkswagen’s latest infotainment system, which features an 8-inch touch screen display, smartphone integration and available wireless charging. The interface is intuitive and user-friendly, allowing for seamless navigation and entertainment control. Safety is also a priority, with advanced driver-assistance systems such as forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control included as standard features.
All trim levels of the Taos now come complete with Volkswagen’s new all-digital cockpit, which is a very cool addition, and in the SEL trim is a huge 10.25-inch driving display that is fully configurable. We love having the navigation inset in the middle of the gauges, especially when we are out in unknown territory.
On the road, the Taos delivers a comfortable and composed ride. The suspension is well-tuned to absorb bumps and imperfections, as we found out in the dirt above Cascade Springs, providing a smooth and refined driving experience.
The cabin remains quiet, even at higher speeds, further enhancing the overall comfort level. The precise steering and nimble handling make it easy to maneuver through tight corners and navigate crowded city streets.
In terms of fuel efficiency, the Taos performs admirably well, as we managed a very nice 29 mpg for our week with the small SUV. With its turbocharged engine and advanced engineering, it offers competitive fuel economy ratings amongst its peers, allowing drivers to enjoy longer journeys without frequent refueling stops.
Overall, the 2023 Volkswagen Taos 1.5T SEL impresses with its stylish design, solid performance and extensive features. It caters to those seeking a versatile and practical compact SUV without compromising on style or driving enjoyment. Whether you’re commuting in the city or embarking on a road trip, Taos is a reliable companion that offers comfort, technology and capability in a compact package.
Base price: $34,535
Destination charge: $1,295
Price as driven: $35,830
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- High in the mountains of the Wasatch range at Cascade Springs with 2023 Volkswagen Taos, a great small SUV.
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- The all-new 2023 Volkswagen Taos.
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- The all-new 2023 Volkswagen Taos.
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- Inside the all-new 2023 Volkswagen Taos.
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- Inside the all-new 2023 Volkswagen Taos.