The love affair with the SUV continues at a torrid pace. Volkswagen is doing its part to keep passions high with the continued evolution of its Volkswagen Taos compact SUV. Introduced in 2018, the Taos is the fourth in the Volkswagen line of SUVs, joining the Atlas, Id.4, and the Tiguan. “Volkswagen has a compelling SUV on its hands,” the reviewers at Edmunds observed about the Taos. The team at Capistrano Volkswagen of San Juan Capistrano, California, has a selection of Taos SUVs that you can test drive today. Before you visit, we’ve put together an FAQ about the vehicle.
When Was the 2022 Taos Released?
Volkswagen announced the details for the 2022 Taos in the United States on May 26, 2021. The models began arriving at U.S. dealerships in June, and are currently in stock at Capistrano Volkswagen.
What Are the Taos’ Trim Levels?
The Taos comes with three trim levels: the Taos S, the Taos SE, and the Taos SEL. Each of those is available in both all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive.
The cars all run with the same 1.5-liter turbocharged engine that puts out 158 horsepower along with 184 pound-feet of torque. The front-wheel-drive model comes with an 8-speed automatic transmission while the all-wheel-drive model runs off a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
How Much Space Does the Taos Have?
As a compact SUV, the Taos offers extraordinary flexibility inside the vehicle, with the ability to configure space to accommodate passengers, luggage, and cargo as needed. The car’s dimensions include a lengthy wheelbase, so passenger room is exceptional at almost 100 cubic feet.
You get 28 cubic feet of space for luggage behind the second row of seats in front-wheel-drive models. Cargo space goes up to almost 66 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. All-wheel-drive models come with just slightly less space — about 25 cubic feet for luggage and 60 cubic feet with the seats turned down.
What Types of Safety Technologies Are Included in the Taos?
The Taos includes a robust technology portfolio designed to keep you and your passengers safe and secure for a successful journey. All trims of the 2022 Taos include the company’s automatic post-collision braking system, which helps automatically apply brakes when the car senses a collision. A separate system, the Volkswagen intelligent crash response system, deactivates the fuel pump, opens the door locks, and turns on hazard lights in the event of a crash. These features complement traditional systems, such as airbags, antilock braking, and stability control.
What Are the Basics of the Taos Infotainment System?
Volkswagen uses a capacitive touch-screen display in all models of the Taos. Capacitive touch screens allow for controls such as pinching and zooming that we have become used to on our mobile phones. The Taos S screen measures 6.5-inches diagonally while the SE and SEL include 8-inch displays. Across the trim levels, drivers will be able to access apps resident on their smartphone directly on the display by using applications such as Apple CarPlay, Android Audio, and MirrorLink. For easy connectivity, the Taos comes with two USB-C ports and Bluetooth capabilities.
What Is the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit?
The Taos includes a second screen that introduces a new concept for displaying information about the vehicle to the driver. The Volkswagen Digital Cockpit replaces the legacy-style instrument panel with a high-resolution digital display. With controls at your fingertips, you can change the screen to display what is most important to you: speed, elevation, route, direction, fuel capacity, driving range, and more.
What Kind of Gas Mileage Does the Taos Get?
The all-wheel-drive and front-wheel-drive Taos won’t dent your wallet when you go to fill up. Both trim configurations deliver respectable results between visits to the gas pump, according to EPA estimates. Your exact results will vary depending on how and where you drive and other factors.
Front-wheel drive
- City: 28 mpg.
- Highway: 36 mpg.
- Combined: 31 mpg.
All-wheel drive
- City: 25 mpg.
- Highway: 32 mpg.
- Combined: 28 mpg.
What Is the MSRP for the Taos?
The Volkswagen Taos is priced to fit most budgets. The prices vary based on trim levels and whether the car runs via all-wheel drive or front-wheel drive. These are the base MSRPs on each of the configurations; as always, you can add options to make the car your own.
Front-wheel drive
- Volkswagen Taos S: $22,995.
- Volkswagen Taos SE: $27,245.
- Volkswagen Taos SEL: $31,490.
All-wheel drive
- Volkswagen Taos S: $25,040.
- Volkswagen Taos SE: $28,695.
- Volkswagen Taos SEL: $33,045.
What Are the Taos’ Off-road Capabilities?
Volkswagen recognizes that no one drives in the same conditions all the time. Consequently, the company has integrated all-wheel-drive capabilities that let you adjust to specific driving conditions. Using a simple dial control, you can choose from among four different modes:
- Snow mode.
- Off-road mode.
- On-road mode.
- Off-road custom mode.
Test Drive the Taos at Capistrano Volkswagen
Come to Capistrano Volkswagen to experience the all-new Taos Compact SUV for yourself. Call us or contact us online for an appointment for a test drive. Our experienced sales team will answer your questions and highlight the features that may make this car the one you want to own. If it turns out not to be the right fit, then we can also show you any of the other new Volkswagen models, including the Atlas, Atlas Cross Sport, ID.4, Tiguan, or any of the popular VW sedans such as the Golf and Jetta.
Our team understands that new vehicles aren’t for everyone. At Capistrano Volkswagen, serving San Juan Capistrano, California, and surrounding areas, we also maintain a large inventory of pre-owned Volkswagen and used models from all the major manufacturers, including Audi, BMW, Buick, Dodge, Ford, Honda, Toyota, and others.
When it comes time to buy, our finance center can help you find a loan or lease payment that fits perfectly into your budget. After you get the car home, our service department will be by you every step of the way to help keep you on the road as long as possible. Come visit us today!
Image via Flickr by -Benedickt-