What is a German automaker like Volkswagen doing in Mexico, and how does it affect American drivers? The answer is the all-new 2022 Volkswagen Taos. The Taos has proven itself to be a key player in Mexico’s automotive industry, which is what inspired Volkswagen to invest over $400 million to expand its footprint to America and Canada courtesy of Volkswagen de Mexico. With such a large investment, it’s no surprise that the 2022 Taos promises to knock it out of the park, and here’s exactly how.
#1 Perfect Size, Price, and Power
Smaller than the Volkswagen Tiguan, the 2022 Taos takes its place as the smallest and most affordable SUV in Volkswagen’s lineup; but don’t let its size fool you. Even with the Taos measuring nearly 10 inches shorter than the Tiguan, it offers a spacious interior that’s ideal for passengers and cargo. This spaciousness includes 99.5 cubic feet of passenger room and over 40 inches of legroom in the front row, 28.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, and 66.3 cubic feet of room with the second row folded down. This makes hauling passengers and gear a whole lot easier and much more comfortable.
As for price, Volkswagen hasn’t released final pricing on the Taos, but the experts over at Car and Driver anticipate that it will start at $24,000. This is a great price point in the crossover market, especially since Volkswagen promises the Taos will be loaded with features and deliver exceptional power and performance. And, speaking of power and performance, the Taos certainly exceeds our expectations thanks to its turbocharged engine and innovative 4MOTION all-wheel-drive system.
The Taos is powered by an all-new 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that will deliver 158 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. Front-wheel-drive models are equipped with an 8-speed automatic transmission, but the real performance comes from Volkswagen’s innovative 4MOTION all-wheel-drive system that pairs the same engine with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission and a sophisticated multilink rear suspension for an even better ride. This upgraded powertrain is a great option for anyone who wants to get a bit more performance out of this compact SUV, not just drivers who need a vehicle that can handle bad weather with ease.
#2 Innovative All-Wheel-Drive
What makes Volkswagen’s 4MOTION all-wheel-drive so attractive? First, it’s important to understand the difference between front-wheel and all-wheel-drive. A front-wheel-drive vehicle is more efficient because the engine only powers the front axle to propel the vehicle forward. An all-wheel-drive vehicle delivers power to both the front and rear axles for better traction and power. Volkswagen’s 4MOTION all-wheel-drive system takes this even further by utilizing what VW calls a “permanently engaged four-wheel-drive system.” 4MOTION all-wheel-drive removes any chance of losing traction by continuously distributing power based on the demands of the driving conditions.
#3 Stay Connected At All Times
The 2022 Taos promises to keep you connected wherever the road takes you. That connectivity is centralized in the Taos’ digital cockpit that replaces the traditional instrument cluster with a high-resolution and fully customizable display that shows vital data like speed, travel time, navigation cues, elevation, and more. You can upgrade the standard 6.5-inch touchscreen, which is average by modern standards, to a larger 8.0-inch display, both of which offer SiriusXM satellite radio as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration through App-Connect.
Thanks to remote start, you can warm up your Taos in the dead of winter or cool it off in the sultry summer with the touch of a button. The Taos also offers wireless smartphone charging and an available Wi-Fi hotspot that ensures your devices stay charged and connected at all times. Of course, premium features like this wouldn’t be the same without an outstanding audio system, which is exactly what you’ll get with the available BeatsAudio system that delivers crisp, clear sound throughout the vehicle.
#4 A High Driving IQ
The Taos reflects Volkswagen’s commitment to offering a new standard of driving through its IQ Drive suite of advanced driver-assist features. IQ Drive includes a variety of standard and available tools that are designed to enhance driver awareness and minimize the potential for collision. These tools include a lane-keeping system known as Lane Assist as well as Front Assist, which works in conjunction with Forward Collision Warning, Autonomous Emergency Braking, and Pedestrian Monitoring to prevent forward collisions with vehicles, pedestrians, or other objects. Adaptive Cruise Control makes cruising down the highway a stress-free experience, while the Active Blind Spot Monitor keeps an eye out for any vehicles or objects in the Taos’ blind spots.
You can also take advantage of features like Rear Traffic Alert, Emergency Assist, and Travel Assist. Emergency Assist is cutting-edge technology that can detect when you are no longer capable of operating the Taos. When this occurs, the system alerts you and, if you fail to respond, the tool will bring the vehicle to a controlled stop. Travel Assist also uses advanced technology to make driving easier by offering a semi-autonomous driving experience, supporting your steering, acceleration, and braking using sensors around the SUV to monitor traffic flow and lane positioning.
Just when you thought the Taos couldn’t get any better, Volkswagen ups its safety game with tools like Dynamic Road Sign Display and Park Distance Control with Maneuver Braking. How often do you travel down the highway and miss the speed limit sign, leaving you to guess if you’re speeding or not? Dynamic Road Sign Display is the perfect solution since it monitors the road signs for you and keeps you updated on everything from speed limits to construction zones. With road signs covered, it only makes sense that Volkswagen also helps you park the Taos with Park Distance Control, which utilizes sensors, audible signals, and a visual display on the center touchscreen to help you maneuver the Taos in or out of a designated parking spot.
#5 Confidence In Your Purchase and Behind the Wheel
With the Taos knocking it out of the park with its affordability, performance, size, safety, and technology, there’s one other area where Volkswagen truly gets it right – warranty and coverage. Volkswagen knows that you should feel confident in your purchase, which is why the automaker offers the all-new Carefree Coverage package on vehicles like the Taos. This includes 2-years or 20,000-miles of Carefree Maintenance, 3-years of Roadside Assistance, a 4-year or 50,000-mile New Vehicle Limited Warranty, and 5-year access to Volkswagen’s Car-Net mobile app. This coverage is some of the best in the industry and is one more reason to shop Volkswagen for your next vehicle.
From Mexico to the US: The Taos Is Coming
With the Taos currently in production at Volkswagen de Mexico, it’s only a matter of time before the all-new SUV makes its debut on American soil. When it does, there’s no doubt that the Taos will prove its place in the Volkswagen lineup thanks to its sizing, capability, and impressive suite of features that reflect Volkswagen’s commitment to excellence and innovation at every turn. For now, we’re left waiting on more details about the all-new SUV and whether the predictions of its affordability are spot on or way off the mark. Only time will tell!
