A new series from the mind that brought you a cleverly written April Fools sports article about a Dome
There is a sea of Subcompact Sport Utility Vehicles. From American manufacturers to South Korean manufactures everywhere you turn there seems to be a new crossover SUV based on what is a sedan platform. Just how does Hyundai and KIA keep coming up with different variations for someone to put a Salt Life sticker on is just mind boggling. Originally the Taos was placed in the Volkswagen lineup to be a replacement for the Golf, but how do you replace the little nimble hatchback that set the bar for performance hatchbacks with the Rabbit GTI? Now it is seen as the entry level of the VW SUV lineup that includes the Tiguan, Atlas Cross Sport, Atlas, and the all-electric iD-4. What makes the Volkswagen Taos different, well until I get behind the wheel of one of the others I will never know. But! I did get the chance to drive the Taos for a bit and this is what I discovered.
The Taos is roomy. While it is based on the same underpinnings of the Volkswagen Jetta the space within the subcompact SUV was plenty. Interior layout on the VW is on par with other VW’s in the lineup. An all digital dash has a great layout with a very readable Speedometer and Tachometer. the center section is customizable to either vehicle information or GPS. The infotainment system is Apple and Android compatible for when you want to listen to your Spotify playlist, which is also controllable from the steering wheel. Did I mention the design? Ahh! When car makers line up the dashboard with the door it is absolute visual magic. Take note, look at the dash to door on the 1971-1974 AMC Javelin to see just some wonderful design. The Taos gets this perfect as well and I am here for it.
Space for groceries. I want these reviews to be something realistic for the consumer so we took the Taos to Sam’s Club for a grocery trip. The back held 6 cases of water, and other groceries quite nicely as you can see in the photo below. The trunk area seems as deep as either of my personal Jettas but the added height of essentially being a cooler looking station wagon definitely helps. Space in the back seat is also improved on this VW when compared to my Jetta as well. While cramped slightly in my personal car, there was more room in the back seat for my son’s 5’11” 245lbs frame.
Performance and Fuel Economy. While VW may never get the chance to bring the hyper-efficient Diesel back to the U.S. The work VW is doing to make their smaller engines reach the 40 mpg range is admirable. While I wish the Taos had the Turbocharged 2.0 liter Inline-4 the Turbocharged 1.5 Liter the whole line comes with averaged 34 mpg during the test. I must disclose my driving style will differ from someone else. I like to try and maximize fuel economy unless it is in my Jetta GLI and then that becomes a different story. Getting on highways is similar to the performance of the last generation Diesels VW offered, you will hit highway speed by the end of the ramp but it is for sure not put you back in the seat fast. Which is perfectly fine for this 5 seat family mover.
Handling wise it is very similar to my non-GLI Jetta, just taller. The ride is incredibly smooth and quiet. Let’s discuss the platform sharing that Volkswagen has mastered since the the original Type 1 Beetle, that spurned the the Type 2 Bus and a plethora of other Volkswagens in the 50’s-70’s. Maybe that’s what sets this Taos apart from the others in it’s class. 75 years of innovation in brand and platform sharing amongst it’s stablemates at Audi and Porsche.
What does the Taos come with. Price as tested was $37,730.00. The SEL is the top of the line package for the VW lineup. The 1.5 Turbo is matted to a 7-speed DSG Automatic with 4MOTION. The headlights are LED that are probably the one thing I got overly excited about. They are adaptive and will turn with the steering wheel to provide lighting to the inside of the turn. So why did I get excited? Honestly, getting to see technology Volkswagen Auto Group pioneered through racing Le Mans and rally with the LED headlights, Dual Clutch Automatic, and their all-wheel drive system is something that is just neat.
There is a long list of things included on the Taos for comfort that is becoming more standard. A panoramic sliding and tilting sunroof is very large and great for those clear summer night drives to look at the stars, well maybe not so much the drivers, but the passengers will for sure enjoy it. Dual-Zone climate controls dubbed Climatronic. A heated steering wheel along with heated and ventilated seats. USB charging ports front and rear, with wireless charging just under the climate controls. Ambient lighting inside the Taos is adjustable to a multitude of different colors. The IQ.DRIVE system is very responsive and if you have not driven a vehicle with a similar system it does take a minute to figure out the nuances of it. For example, lane assist will give you force feedback if you do not turn on the turn signal migrating into a center turn lane before you cross the line. Backing out of my driveway that is at a slight slope to the road, the VW came to a complete forced stop to avoid a perceived collision. The adaptive cruise control is a great addition on those trips up I49 to Northwest Arkansas for when you hit the hills at Chester and the Tunnel where trucks slow way down and drivers drop 15 mph to go through the Tunnel.
Would I purchase a Taos? 100% From the drivability and the room it is a slam-dunk for a small family. Stop in at your local Volkswagen dealer, as long as it is Bill White Volkswagen, to test drive the Taos for yourself.
