Volkswagen was one of the last car makers to jump into the subcompact SUV pool, but they have made a serious splash. A brand-new model for 2022, the Volkswagen Taos is a muscular, hard-charging vehicles that immediately raced to the front of the pack, thanks to a spacious interior and powerful yet efficient engine. The 2023 Volkswagen Taos gets some minor tweaks, but helps to solidify its place at the top of the subcompact pile!
Performance Features
Under the hood of the 2023 Volkswagen Taos is an inline four-cylinder engine turning out 158 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, some of the most impressive numbers in the class. This makes the Taos responsive off the line, with plenty of power for its weight. At the same time, it is a comfortable yet efficient highway cruiser.
The Taos is available in both front- and all-wheel drive editions. These come with different transmissions to get the best out of them – the front-wheel drive models are paired with an eight-speed automatic, while the all-wheel drive models get a seven-speed dual clutch automatic. This helps the Taos maximize fuel economy across its versions. The front-wheel drive gets 28 MPG city and 36 MPG highway, while the all-wheel drive gets 25 MPG city and 32 MPG highway
Under the hood of the 2023 Volkswagen Taos is an inline four-cylinder engine turning out 158 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, some of the most impressive numbers in the class. This makes the Taos responsive off the line, with plenty of power for its weight. At the same time, it is a comfortable yet efficient highway cruiser.
The Taos is available in both front- and all-wheel drive editions. These come with different transmissions to get the best out of them – the front-wheel drive models are paired with an eight-speed automatic, while the all-wheel drive models get a seven-speed dual clutch automatic. This helps the Taos maximize fuel economy across its versions. The front-wheel drive gets 28 MPG city and 36 MPG highway, while the all-wheel drive gets 25 MPG city and 32 MPG highway
Style and Technology
Unlike most sub-compact SUVs, the 2023 Volkswagen Taos doesn’t look small from the outside. It fits in well with the rest of the VW Sport utility line, and avoids the large-hatchback look that so many other sub-compact utilities fall into. This includes an upright front end, muscular wheel flare, and the widest body in the class.
That size carries over to the interior, with the 2023 Taos having the most spacious cabin in the class. Featuring cloth upholstery, the second row of seats offers 37.9 inches of leg room and 39.8 inches of head room – on par with many in the standard compact SUV class. Even with the second row in place, there is room for 27.9 cubic feet of cargo in the rear. Stowing those seats opens up the cabin to 65.9 cubic feet of storage, best in class.
With Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration as standard, thanks to the App-Connect system, the 2023 Volkswagen Taos is at the peak of connectivity. A 6.5-inch infotainment touchscreen is standard, with an available 8.0-inch version. This larger touchscreen also comes with wireless instead of wired App Connect. Bluetooth is standard across the line-up, with audio streaming for compatible devices.
Unlike most sub-compact SUVs, the 2023 Volkswagen Taos doesn’t look small from the outside. It fits in well with the rest of the VW Sport utility line, and avoids the large-hatchback look that so many other sub-compact utilities fall into. This includes an upright front end, muscular wheel flare, and the widest body in the class.
That size carries over to the interior, with the 2023 Taos having the most spacious cabin in the class. Featuring cloth upholstery, the second row of seats offers 37.9 inches of leg room and 39.8 inches of head room – on par with many in the standard compact SUV class. Even with the second row in place, there is room for 27.9 cubic feet of cargo in the rear. Stowing those seats opens up the cabin to 65.9 cubic feet of storage, best in class.
With Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration as standard, thanks to the App-Connect system, the 2023 Volkswagen Taos is at the peak of connectivity. A 6.5-inch infotainment touchscreen is standard, with an available 8.0-inch version. This larger touchscreen also comes with wireless instead of wired App Connect. Bluetooth is standard across the line-up, with audio streaming for compatible devices.
Safety
Every 2023 Volkswagen Taos model features plenty of active safety features, with the IQ.Drive suite now standard across the model line-up. This safety suite includes a lane keeping system, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking, as well as blind-spot and rear cross-traffic monitoring. There are also available upgrades, with features including rear parking sensors, traffic sign recognition, and adaptive high-beams offered on the top trim level.
Trim Levels
Volkswagen provides three comprehensive trim levels for the 2023 Volkswagen Taos.
The base S trim comes with 17-inch wheels and all-season tires. Manual climate control is standard, and the manually adjustable driver and passenger seats are clad in CloudTex and cloth. The 6.5-inch touchscreen is standards. Adaptive Cruise Control is available as part of an additional package, as are safety features including forward assist, travel assist, lane assist, and emergency assist. Push-button engine start makes it easy to get going.
In the middle of the model range is the SE trim, which sits on 18” alloy wheels. Outside, heated, foldable, and power adjustable side mirrors make it easy to keep all your lines of sight clear. A power tilting and sliding panoramic sunroof is available as part of a package. The driver gets and 8-way power adjustable driver seat with lumbar support, front seats are heated, and all seats are clad in CloudTex. The gearshift knob is wrapped in leather, and the leatherette-covered steering wheel is heated. The 8-inch touchscreen is standard. Remote engine start means you can get the Taos heated up in the winter and cooled down in the summer before you climb in. Wireless charging helps to eliminate cords from the interior. On the safety front, rain-sensing variable intermittent front wipers are standard, and the additional safety features available in a package on the S trim are standard on the SE trim.
The range-topping SEL trim wraps the seats in leather, and ambient interior lighting adds luxury touches. Dual-zone automatic climate control keeps everyone comfortable, aided by ventilation for the front seats. An eight-speaker BeatsAudio sound system provides great sound throughout the Taos, while the 8-inch touchscreen adds navigation. 19” alloy wheels dress up the exterior, as do the silver roof rails and an integrated light bar in the front grille.
Volkswagen provides three comprehensive trim levels for the 2023 Volkswagen Taos.
The base S trim comes with 17-inch wheels and all-season tires. Manual climate control is standard, and the manually adjustable driver and passenger seats are clad in CloudTex and cloth. The 6.5-inch touchscreen is standards. Adaptive Cruise Control is available as part of an additional package, as are safety features including forward assist, travel assist, lane assist, and emergency assist. Push-button engine start makes it easy to get going.
In the middle of the model range is the SE trim, which sits on 18” alloy wheels. Outside, heated, foldable, and power adjustable side mirrors make it easy to keep all your lines of sight clear. A power tilting and sliding panoramic sunroof is available as part of a package. The driver gets and 8-way power adjustable driver seat with lumbar support, front seats are heated, and all seats are clad in CloudTex. The gearshift knob is wrapped in leather, and the leatherette-covered steering wheel is heated. The 8-inch touchscreen is standard. Remote engine start means you can get the Taos heated up in the winter and cooled down in the summer before you climb in. Wireless charging helps to eliminate cords from the interior. On the safety front, rain-sensing variable intermittent front wipers are standard, and the additional safety features available in a package on the S trim are standard on the SE trim.
The range-topping SEL trim wraps the seats in leather, and ambient interior lighting adds luxury touches. Dual-zone automatic climate control keeps everyone comfortable, aided by ventilation for the front seats. An eight-speaker BeatsAudio sound system provides great sound throughout the Taos, while the 8-inch touchscreen adds navigation. 19” alloy wheels dress up the exterior, as do the silver roof rails and an integrated light bar in the front grille.
By optimizing a small footprint for class-leading interior space, offering cutting edge technology, and providing Volkswagen’s classy design, the 2023 Volkswagen Taos is unquestionably a leader in the subcompact segment. Stop in and check out the new Taos today at West Broad VW in Richmond, VA to see just how it fits your lifestyle and needs!