The Volkswagen Taos is a great small crossover that’s perfect for buyers who don’t need the extra space provided by larger vehicles, like the Atlas or Tiguan. The Taos has a fuel-efficient power train and a spacious interior that can comfortably accommodate adults in both rows of seating. If you’re wondering what the 2023 model year has in store for the Taos, our VW experts here at Capistrano Volkswagen have some answers. Let’s take a look.
What’s New for the 2023 Taos?
The VW Taos was an all-new model for the 2022 model year. As a result, we don’t expect massive changes in the 2023 model. VW may offer a few different color options and slight adjustments to what’s available in the various trim levels. But the essential features of this crossover that proved so popular during the 2022 model year will remain the same.
The Taos shows off a classic exterior design. It has rectangular headlights and a splash or two of chrome on the front end. At the rear, the Taos’ tail lights and small badges add to the overall neat appearance. Inside the cabin, the infotainment display tilts slightly towards the driver, so it’s easier to use.
VW Taos Engine and Fuel Economy
Under the hood, the Taos has a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. It puts out 158 horsepower and is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. If you upgrade to all-wheel drive, you get a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.
This powertrain is perfect for driving the compact Taos around town or on the highway. In front-wheel drive, it propels the Taos to 28 mpg in the city and 36 mpg at highway speeds, some of the best numbers in the subcompact SUV class.
Even in all-wheel drive, fuel economy remains impressive. You’ll manage about 25 mpg on city roads and 32 mpg on the highway. All-wheel drive provides you with more control in wet conditions or when tackling rough terrain.
Taos Interior
Another area where the Taos bests most of its class competitors is in cargo space. The Taos’ cabin offers over 27 cubic feet of space behind the second row in front-wheel-drive models. That number drops slightly if you choose all-wheel drive because this system uses an upgraded rear suspension which requires a little more space. However, you’ll still benefit from over 24 cubic feet of space at the rear. If you need to open up more cargo space, you can fold the rear row of seats flat.
The Taos offers comfortable seating in both rows for adult and child passengers. Unlike many other small SUVs, the Taos boasts plenty of headroom and legroom for adults to stretch out and relax in the rear row. You can install child seating with LATCH connectors, which are available on the two outside seats in the back row or a tether anchor in the middle.
Infotainment and Safety Tech
Volkswagen’s infotainment system is called MIB. In the Taos, you can access MiB via a standard 6.5-inch display, which is accompanied by a four-speaker stereo. Many connectivity options are offered, including a WiFi hotspot so you can stay in touch with friends and family while you’re on the go. Bluetooth connectivity, USB ports, and smartphone compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also on offer.
The standard infotainment system does a great job, but you can opt for several upgrades if you desire even better features. For example, check out the larger 8-inch entertainment screen, an eight-speaker premium sound system, or wireless device charging for your phone. We can also offer a navigation system and additional USB ports.
You can select from a range of available driver assistance features to help keep you and your passengers safe. Forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, and automatic emergency braking are designed to alert you to potential dangers up ahead and avert accidents if you fail to respond in time.
When you’re traveling on the highway, the lane keep assist and adaptive cruise control features can make your journey easier. When it comes to parking safely, the Taos’ front and rear parking sensors can give you a helping hand.
Taos Trims
The 2023 Taos is available from our Orange County showroom in three trims: S, SE, and SEL. Front-wheel drive is standard in each trim, but all-wheel drive is available throughout the trim lineup.
The base S trim includes cloth upholstery in the cabin. In addition to the standard infotainment package, you can upgrade to the IQ Drive/Convenience package. This upgrade gets you many of the driver assistance features we described above.
The Taos SE’s cabin gets more comfortable, thanks to synthetic leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a power-adjustable seat for the driver. You also gain access to several convenience features, such as keyless entry and remote start. Additionally, many of the driver safety features available as optional extras in the base S trim come standard in the Taos SE.
If you want to pull out all the stops, look to the range-topping Taos SEL for a truly luxurious interior. The cabin benefits from genuine leather upholstery and a dual-zone automatic climate control. An eight-speaker premium sound system is also included for you to enjoy your favorite music or podcasts. Optional upgrades include an all-wheel drive and a sunroof.
Now that you know a little more about what the 2023 Taos has to offer, we hope you’re ready to make it your next crossover purchase. If you’ve decided that it’s not the vehicle for your needs, you may want to check out the other great SUVs for sale at our Capistrano dealership. For those of you requiring more interior space than the Taos can offer, take a look at the larger Tiguan, which includes the option of a third row of seating and a larger cargo area.
Our Volkswagen experts here at Capistrano VW are ready to help make your auto buying experience as straightforward as possible. Would you like to arrange a test drive of the 2023 Taos? Or perhaps you have some questions about its features? We’d be delighted to help. Contact us today to learn more.
Volkswagen Taos 250 TSi Comfortline 2022 by RL GNZLZ is licensed with CC BY-SA 2.0