Text by Tom Appel
2024 Volkswagen Taos SEL
Specs
Class: Subcompact crossover
Color: Pure Gray
Seating Capacity: 5
Miles driven: 189
Real-world fuel economy: 29.3 mpg
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Comfort | A- |
| Power and Performance | C+ |
| Fit and Finish | B+ |
| Fuel Economy | B+ |
| Value | B |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus other vehicles in the same class. Value grade is for specific trim level evaluated, and may not reflect Consumer Guide's impressions of the entire model lineup. | |
| Big & Tall Comfort | |
| Big Guy | A |
| Tall Guy | A- |
| Big & Tall comfort ratings are for front seats only. "Big" rating based on male tester weighing approximately 350 pounds, "Tall" rating based on 6'6"-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 158-horsepower 1.5-liter |
| Engine Type | Turbocharged 4-cylinder |
| Transmission | 7-speed dual-clutch automatic |
| Drive Wheels | AWD |
Driving mix: 65% city, 35% highway
EPA-estimated fuel economy: 24/32/27 (city, highway, combined)
Fuel type: Regular gas
Base price: $33,515 (not including $1350 destination charge)
Options on test vehicle: Special paint ($395)
Price as tested: $35,260
Pros and Cons
The great: Roomy and nicely appointed cabin, easy on the gas
The good: Balanced ride and handling, upscale feel
The not so good: Balky power delivery, glitchy infotainment system
Overview
There is an old-school stoicism to the Volkswagen Taos that is not found in other small crossovers like the Hyundai Kona or Kia Seltos. The proper, upright design of the Taos, combined with its crisp, formal sheet-metal, gives VW’s smallest U.S.-market crossover a sense of reserved propriety unusual in its class.
Indeed, the Taos, introduced stateside in 2022, presents as more premium than playful, a vibe which may play a role in helping consumers decide to purchase the Volkswagen, or search elsewhere for a small ‘ute with a spunkier attitude.
We have no problem with the little VW’s design, though formal, it comes off as German—in the best possible way—and the formality of its design may better suit young, entry-level drivers looking to be taken seriously early in their professional and social lives.
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Prices and Trim Levels
The Taos returns for the 2024 model year largely unchanged, and though priced slightly higher than the likes of the aforementioned Kona and Seltos, it’s reserved nature may be just what many shoppers are looking for.
The ’24 Taos lineup ascends up from the entry-level S trim level (starting around $25,000), uplevel SE (Around $30,000), and tops out with the well-equipped SEL ($35,000). New for 2024 is the SE Black, which starts around $32,000 and slots between the SE and SEL.
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Engines
All 2024 Taos models are powered by a 158-horsepower 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. Front-wheel drive models mate the engine to a conventional 8-speed automatic transmission, while AWD examples employ a 7-speed “dual-clutch” automatic. The topline SEL comes only with AWD and the DCT automatic.
Consumer Guide recently spent a week behind the wheel of the Taos SEL. With destination charge and extra-cost Pure Gray paint our test car came to $35,515 And while we like the color, we’re not entirely sure what makes in “pure.”
Room and Comfort
Like all Volkswagen crossovers, the Taos is seemingly larger on the inside than it is on the outside. There’s no shortage of front-row seating space, even for larger folks, and the generous door openings make for easy vehicle entry and exit. The cabin itself is modern in feel and nicely appointed, though not all of the materials employed are premium in feel; there’s plenty of hard plastic to be found, if you look for it. Still, the interior generally comes of as classy.
Connectivity
While most controls are clearly marked and easy to reach, not all is well in the world of Taos connectivity. We’re sparred with VW’s native infotainment system before, and still find it frustrating. This editor’s phone, for example, needed to be relinked to the car several times over the course of our test week, adding time to my commute. Additionally, the info displayed on the Taos touchscreen generally trailed the content being played via Bluetooth—rendering the display pretty much useless when listening to music or podcasts.
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Using Apple CarPlay, the system seemed to perform better when a connection was established, but Apple engagement did little to keep the car/phone Bluetooth connection in place between drives. On the plus side, the Beats-brand audio system, standard on the SEL, does a nice job reproducing the mid-century American jazz favored by this editor.
Ride and Handling
On the road the Taos acquits itself well. The little crossover rides and handles well, and the cabin is generally quiet, especially for the class. For whatever reason, AWD Taos models employ a more sophisticated rear-suspension design, the impact of which is better feel in fast corners and on curvy roads, but also a little less cargo space.
Power and Performance
Around town the DCT automatic transmission can be clunky, shifting more in low-speed driving than seems necessary, and occasionally shifting harshly when accelerating from a stop. If a Taos test drive is in your future, be sure and spend some time evaluating the vehicle in low-speed traffic; it’s possible you may find the drivetrain too “busy” for daily commuting chores. That said, the small turbocharged engine provides better than adequate power for all but the most-aggressive passing maneuvers.
And while the Taos AWD drivetrain maybe balky in traffic, it is certainly efficient. In driving that favored city conditions, we saw better than 29 mpg. And, the Taos is fine running on regular-grade gasoline.
Review
In a nutshell, the Taos is a classy, upscale-feeling little crossover than offers up a surprisingly roomy and comfortable cabin, and excellent fuel economy. We’re disappointed by the glitchy connectivity and the lack of slow-speed drivetrain smoothness, though perhaps the latter can be chalked up to “character.”
As far as safety is concerned, VW’s comprehensive IQ.Drive suite of driver-assistance systems is standard on all Taos trim levels. A point of value: Taos presents better in a lower trim level, but we don’t find our test car’s price tag especially off putting. We recommend the midlevel SE, but appreciate why a shopper might want to enjoy the additionally classy environs of the SEL.
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2024 Volkswagen Taos SEL Pictures
(Click below for enlarged images)
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