I just bought a Taos SE AWD a week ago and I have been overly impressed. This is the best driving little SUV/CUV I have ever driven. The engine is peppy and it handles going up into the mountains beautifully. Y'all are right about the price. The interior is wonderful and the dashboard is laid out efficently. True VW. This is a real winner. Thank you for the review. This is a gem that seems to be flying under the radar.
Just got mine yesterday and seeing positive reviews makes me happy. I mean what can go wrong with German engineering, so hopefully it’ll be a pleasant car to drive around
Nothing can ever replace the Golf. I'm still livid they stopped selling my favourite car. The GTI and R just aren't my style or budget, give me the base Golf with a stick any day.
I have seen many Motormouth reviews and I am very impressed. Zack and Andrea do a wonderful, thorough job. I learned things about the Taos that weren't even mentioned in other reviews that I have seen. Nice job!
Nice car and well described… you re right about the screens… the only Problem is that nowadays, people shop cars comparing screens and lights. You could have the worst brakes , with the worst engine and poor assembling quality, but If you sell it with a massive flashy screen and connectivity it will become an instant seller . Most people don t know what kind of suspension, engine, tires… they have on their car. But they sure know that there is a nice screen in the middle and a glass roof.
My Wife’s (purchased at 37,000 km) VW Jetta Highline with the Fender Sound System option was ‘originally’ $34,000 Canadian, New (I paid $17,300). I has been fantastic for our Family. I would recommend it. This new Taos is not much more money than that original price. But this CUV has so so much more bang for around the same $35,000. So I say, ‘Well done VW’. I would absolutely consider replacing her Jetta with this latest offering. I like the space, the displays and the traditional VW looks. So, a winner in my books. Thanks for another great review.
Thank you so much, we really appreciate the kind words. Our main goal when we do these reviews is to help people buy cars and to make the car buying experience easier.
Very, very good review, folks. Kudos for recognizing that the Taos is effectively the North American replacement for the standard Golf and the Sportwagen, each of which has been withdrawn from the marketplace in the US and Canada. Your recognition of the fact is rare in the reviews of the Taos and is explains a lot about the Taos. Likewise, your recognition that VW has learned that North American consumers like their VWs to be among the largest vehicles (especially SUVs) in each market category. The Taos has the most overall cargo space in the subcompact class. The Tiguan is the largest in the compact category and the Atlas (and Atlas Crosssport) enjoy the same distinction in the midsize two and three row SUV category. As far as the Taos is concerned, its 65.9 cubic ft of overall cargo space is nearly as much as the RAV4 and significantly more than the Mazda CX-5, each of which is in the larger "compact" SUV class. Furthermore, Andrea's comments about the "peppy" 1.5L turbo engine in the Taos (a very slight displacement increase in the previous 1.4L engine in the Golf) are not surprising. VW is famous (infamous?) for understating the power of their smaller 4 cylinder turbo engines, likely due to an effort to qualify for lower insurance rates in some European markets. The GTI, for example, is well known for the practice. Before assuming that the Taos is "underpowered," consumers should experience an extended test drive in the vehicle. Among the Taos competitors the CrossTrek and Jeep Compass are, imo, very different vehicles with more off-road chops but less engaging on-road manners. The Taos' most obvious rival is the KIA Seltos. And as an owner of both a VW (GTI) and a KIA (Sorento) I find both appealing. The Seltos has the typical KIA advantage of offering more bells and whistles for the same (or slightly less) money. The Taos, on the other hand, enjoys the advantages of a European driving feel that the Seltos lacks. If I were shopping in the category, I'd opt for the Taos. Others, of course, will differ. Each is solid entry in the compact SUV category and offer many of the benefits of a larger compact SUV in a smaller overall, easier to manage package.
I absolutely love WV's, I've had a Golf, Jetta, Sportwagen, and Passat over the years. When car shopping recently I went and test drove one of these. I do have to say the review is on point. The 1.5T is adequate, it's surprisingly quiet and the ride is supple yet fun. The two issues I just could not get past were the jerky DSG while cold and the weird seating position. The DSG was very jerky\clunky off the line until warm which was a major knock on its driveability. I'm 5'9" tall and the steering wheel did not telescope down or out far enough to let me get comfortable. I could not touch the steering wheel while also resting my elbows on either the door or center armrest. In my past VW's this was not an issue because the center armrests both slid forward and you could position\lock the lid up a few degrees so you could rest your arm while driving. Not so in the TAOS, the center armrest lid does not slide or adjust up\down. So, these two things were a deal breaker for me, especially the seating position as on a long trip that would get very uncomfortable. I also looked at Tiguan's which had the same weird seating position. The Atlas Cross Sport actually fit me very well and I wanted to purchase one but there is a stop sale on them with no ETA on parts... So, unfortunately, after many years VW lost me and I had to switch brands. Maybe we'll meet again someday VW.
I have to admit. The part about the arm rest is all I could see in the video because it disturbed me so much. I like to be comfortable especially for long drives and having my arm hanging like that on the steering wheel not being able to use the arm rest is a deal breaker. Thanks for pointing it out from your test drive as I was thinking that maybe I'm imagining it. But the center console/arm rest is too small and too far
Thanks for the review Andrea and Zack! Nice to see that VW haven't moved to their awful capacitive touch controls in the Taos. I've been a huge VW fan for years and I used to regularly recommend VW products, however with the departure of the Golf and Alltrack, and the cheapening of the Passat and Jetta I really am disappointed and no longer have the confidence to recommend VW. I wish VW would bring the Skoda or Seat versions of their MQB/MLB/MEB platforms to North America.
We where looking at either a 2021 Tiguan or the 2022 taos. Same price. A lot of reviews leaned towards the Tiguan we just loved the Taos looks and the way it drives. We ended up with the Taos. Only time will tell if we made the right choice.
A traded in a 2017 sportwagen two weeks ago. It was an all wheel drive version. Compared to my sportwagen, it had a smaller boot and less horsepower. I priced out a tiguan at 40K. I then looked at Audi Q3, Q5, Volvo XC60, and a BMW 1. In the end I bought a company care Arteon SEL because it had the most power and best ride and biggest boot of the bunch.
Corolla Cross's breakfast is about to be served. Wishing VW all the best. Wish others would provide a centre ski pass threw. You 2 nailed the review. The Steve and Jamie Austin of the car review world. Q up the bionic SFX. Cheers from MTL
One flaw!! No paddle shifters????? All DCT equipped cars should ave paddle shifter, my 2022 AWD Kona limited has the same flaw. 2nd: no overview camera. The 2024 kona as one available. Great review!!! Keep your reviews coming!!!
nice little vehicle...VW does a good job on the fit and finish...only thing for me is I have heard maintenance cost are outrageous..best thing I would say is lease it and have the dealer cough up the maintenance as part of the lease...enjoy
As senior citizens....my wife and I read where this would appeal to our age group....sadly for the price it's lacking power lift gate...and manual seats are a joke. Cmon volkswagen we are in the 21st century..if you are charging these prices, your going to have to keep up with your competitors.
My parents are having the same problem, John! They really also like the Kia Seltos but also lack of power tailgate makes it an issue. The Chevrolet Trailblazer has it but the interior is a bit of a let down. Mazda CX-30 is a bit tight. Might have to wait for the all new Nissan Rogue Sport soon, already previewed as the Qashqai.
thanks for the review. i came home last night with a new 2023 VW Taos SE-4motion (not a fan of the name Taos). This SUV purchase was an unintended upgrade to my 2021 Jetta. Looking forward to seeing how it hands in the Colorado winter next month. It looks cool and the engine and 7 speed D/clutch is smooth. I like the ride and plan to do a road trip in the near future. I wasn't a fan of my Jetta but did appreciate the fuel economy of 40 mpg. so happy that my new VW does Not have the touch capacitive buttons on the steering wheel. Another plus is that the button for the heated steering wheel is a separate dedicated button on the steering wheel whereas the Jetta had combined the heated seat and heated steering into a single button. Honda Civic doesn't even offer the heated steering wheel in Colorado (so sad).
The mid, comfortline trim seems to include all of the desired features, less a few extras. Without the bigger tire package, it retails for 36,000 and 38,000 with the tire/performance package.
Nice review . When you figure all the gadgets one would like the price reach stratospheric altitude...it is not a ladder it is an elevator . Thanks for the review.
I test drove one and comparing it to my Golf Sportwagon, I will give it a ok ride. But, I think the Golf Sportwagon is much better all around. It’s unfortunate that we can no longer get such a great car as the Golf!
$38k was the price of a top spec Golf Alltrack before they stopped selling it. It was a much nicer vehicle than this Taos with more soft touch surfaces, a much better engine, more ground clearance and the Fender audio system.
The SportWagen version held even more appeal for me. It was essentially the same car without the cladding and the extra ride height for much less, if I recall correctly.
Interesting how you brought up the Golf Sportwagen. I have a 2019 Sportwagen S, one of the last built in Mexico for the US market. I ordered it from my local dealer. The car total cost with local tax and license was just over $19K US. True, the Taos has more back seat room and headroom, but the cargo area in my Sportwagen has a perfectly flat floor, ideal for carrying stuff. I have over 32,000 miles on it and it always averages over 40 mpg. AND, it has a 6-speed manual. The real shame is we can't get the Passat Estate PHEV in North America. Thanks for your review. The only reason to part with my Golf is when the Buzz is being built in NA. Phooey on SUVs and CUVs, the box is the most practical shape for people and things.
I ordered an AWD TAOS but then cancelled my order after our test drive. The 7 speed dual clutch was jerky at slow speeds and the 2 second turbo lag before hitting the power curve was downright dangerous in traffic. I usually love your reviews but I think you missed pointing out these serious flaws in the AWD Taos. Perhaps the 8 speed transmission in the FWD would be smoother but you’d still have that horrible 2 second turbo lag!
We did not have any issue with this. The dual clutch drove like others in the VW family. Might have been worse before the recall but we didn't drive it then.
Thanks Stephen and Andrea for the detailed review of the Taos! I understand that the Taos is the VW replacement for the Golf hatchback and wagons. I totally agree that the small touchscreen on the base model is a disappointment and the mid level variant seems to have the right feature to price balance. You both seem quite excited about how the Taos drives.. being car like with a lower center of gravity than other SUV's whereby car buyers would find the transition easy. The odd thing is that in Canada, we still can get hold of a compact Golf in the form of the GTI and from what information I have is actually at a lower price point than the Taos in the mid level trim (Comfortline)! For someone looking for a fun compact everyday car would you choose the Taos over the GTI? I know they are supposed to be in different market segments, but given the market realities today of what is available in the compact segment where would you put your money?
we have both a GTI and a TAOS. If you have children or older relatives, get the TAOS. The TAOS is super spacious, but the GTI is cramped in back. If you prefer performance, get the GTI.
I find it interesting you never mentioned mazda cx30 as a competitor, esp as you rated the cx30 as being very good esp its handling and fun to drive factor.
Great review, hope the engine keeps you warm in the winter. The 1.4 the jettas used to have do not heat up enough to keep you warm. 1.5 isn't much bigger. I guess time will tell.
Good rainy Saturday morning Y’all 👋👋👋👋 I’m kind of bored of these SUV’s they all pretty much look the same. Starting to miss zippy cars, especially with the price of gas creeping up. Heck filling my Mini Cooper S is even getting pricey nowadays 🤷♂️🤷♂️🤷♂️ awesome review guys be safe 👍👍👍
e-CVT hybrid should be standard in this class of car. By-and-large, this type of buyer doesn’t have a clue (or care) what’s under the hood, and nothing beats the cost of ownership of a good e-CVT hybrid.
I had an opportunity to test drive an AWD Taos model. I respectfully had a different impression of the driving dynamics. The DCT is really inconvenient at low speeds. There's also noticeable turbo lag that happens intermittently. It reminds me of a slower, first generation Mercedes-Benz GLA. This subcompact is definitely not friendly for Boston urban driving.
Great review Andrea! Good vehicle but looks a bit of boxing but the cargo spaces is excellent and gas mileage is not bad. I am surprise no gate lifter and no power seat. 👍🏻👍🏻👊🏻
As usual, excellent report. What a dull car for me ! And also, it is incredible the number of SUV's VW has around the world : T-Cross, T-Roc, Taigo, Taos, Tiguan, Tiguan Allspace, Atlas, Atlas Cross Sport, ID4, ID5, ID6, Touareg, Teramont...Maybe I forgot one... How do they manage that? Salut from grey Paris.
I planned on buying this SUV I went to the dealer and looked at an SEL $35,000 however next to it was a Tiguan R Line SEL for $38,0000 for a few grand more I drove away with the Tiguan the Taos interior even in the SEL seemed cheap for a $35k suv
Yeah but you’ll need to make great friends with your service advisor because it will be in the shop regularly. I’ve had the worst luck with VW products!
CR reviewed it and said the powertrain was terrible and the testers were happy to be out of the car. They said the engine was slow to respond to the pedal and then suddenly the power would come on with a rush.
The early units were tested by some outlets and they reported issues, but there was a stop-sale order and an update/recall, our test unit was just fine.
How much better was the Beats than the stock audio? I drove a Comfortline and was shocked at how bad the base setup was. No where near the Fender I’m used to in my GTI. Also, does the Highline have more sound deadening? I found it to be noticeably louder than my wife’s Tig.
I noticed on several reviews that the reviewers are complaining about really bad turbo lag. Did you experience these during your test drive? If not is it because vw has addressed the issue on this newer versions of the Taos.
I have a tiguan now.. while it is nice.. I find the fuel economy is pretty steep. How would you compare this in fuel economy. Is it worth trading in the tiguan to go to this? We only use the space of the tiguan for skiing. But we can always go to roof racks
Every time I look at a VW I build the vehicle so it's close to the Audi alternative. I don't think I'd want this with so little HP so I built a Tiguan, then I looked at a Q3 Progressive. VW/Audi are so clever with their marketing/pricing. I've never looked at the Tiguan or Taos, how does the size compare to the new Q3?
@@andreaspencer9813 really? Are you talking about interior space because the Q3 is a tiny bit longer with it’s exterior dimensions. I haven’t sat in the Taos, or Tiguan. I have sat in the Q3 & Q5 and it feels quite close in size once they redesigned the Q3
@@kevinn1158 The Taos wheelbase is a tiny bit longer than the Q3 but the Q3 is less than an inch longer. The Taos offers more second row legroom, an extra 1.8 inches. It also wins in cargo capacity offering 65.9 cubic feet of space compared to the Q3 which has 48 cubic feet. As for the Q5 it is 7.7 inches longer than the Q3 and offers almost 2 inches more second row legroom.
@@andreaspencer9813 A shame the Taos, Tiguan and Q3 have such meh HP. They should all be offered with higher output engines as options. SQ3 anybody? ;)
So the price point is almost exactly like the Tiguan, so I guess it is easy to say that the Tiguan price is going up. Too bad I was hoping that it was 3k less so my son could buy his first new car, he really wants a GTI.
2:05 - Why does it seem like all cars have the exterior paint on the inside of the door? I don't see that on my car, but it could be because it is white...
Volkswagen NEVER got rid of the Golf, maybe they stopped sending it where u live. Golf lovers would NEVER change to a 1.5 engine in an SUV. A Tiguan will appeal to the Passat owner u spoke of in this vlog.
