There is one thing that no one addresses in their reviews. They always review engine power, interiors, colors, size but what about safety? The Kia Seltos has a poor 3 star crash test rating. If you are considering the competition to be between the Taos, CX-30 and the Seltos, then the only ones that are up to the safety level are the Taos and CX-30.
The 2024 Kia Seltos looks absolutely beautiful in its new blue color. Seems like a great vehicle and have purchased several Kia/Hyundai vehicles brand new such as an 02 Kia Rio, 03 Hyundai Accent GT, 08 Hyundai Sonata GLS, 2010 Kia Souk Exclaim and a 2013 Hyundai Elantra GLS. All were good cars, had a few issues with Rio but no bad, had a transmission replaced in the Accent at like 60,000 miles but when it came to the Elantra it was horrendous with issues getting stuck in park would use a screwdriver to push the park lock to get it out of park, would not start and had to be towed several times, knocking in steering and the whole steering rack was replaced plus several parts before that and was 7 trips before the fix, timing cover issues and oil leak issue and more minor things. The 2013 Hyundai Elantra was a gorgeous car but we traded it at 13,000 miles because of all the issues and switched to Mitsubishi and have owned 6 Mitsubishis since 2015 and they have been great cars and all problem free. Mitsubishi uses slightly older technology and platforms (besides the 2022-2023 Outlander) which gives them time tested and proven powertrains and platforms which results in good reliability and owners like them. Plus we have now 7 co-workers who own Mitsubishis (between our business and neighboring business) and 2 family members who bought them after we started and said how we loved ours and all are happy with their Mitaubishis! We have owned 3 Mirages a 2015, 2017, 2021 Mitsubishi Mirages all 3 in top trim level, 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport GT AWC, two 2019 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross SEL Tourings with S-AWC. All Mitsubishis had the CVT. We always purchased Kia and Hyundai until the Elantra scared us away lol. We always buy our cars brand new. It just seems that KIA Hyundai vehicles just have constant recalls, way to many fire hazard issues for bad engines and brake systems, even over the last year or so they had issues and telling people not to park their brand new vehicles near their homes/business or in their garage due to fire hazards with their brake systems, its scary. Our Cousin bought a new Kia Sportage in 2018 and in burst in to flames when driving home and was engulfed extremely fast and was a total loss before it was a year old. My sister owns a 2018 Kia Optima S and its engine started with issues at 90,000 miles and Kia has done oil consumption tests but refuse to replace the engine because it consumes 1.5 quarts over a oil change period and they say has to use 2 quarts yet the original paperwork said 1.5 quarts had to be used and they changed it so refused a new engine. Now its got just over 100,000 miles and the rods are knocking and its using even more oil and engine lights on. Sad because she is unable to trade it because its worth so much less than what she owes because she had some carry over. It was purchased new. Kia makes nice innovative vehicles its just their engines that scare me and the fire hazard scares me. As for the VW Taos I like it. VW used to have a lot of electrical issues and not sure how that is now but the Taos seems like a nice SUV and really roomy. Like I said I love the look of the upcoming 2024 Kia Seltos and its basic engine seems to be an older style non GDI engine which would be much better than the higher trims GDI turbo engine for maintenance and reliability in my opinion.
Another day another stellar review from the King and Queen of reviews!!! Totally digging this blue hue from VW but man...did we really need another SUV???!!! Thumbs up on the review as usual Joe and Lori!!! #RaitisRides #OnThrottle #Volkswagen #Taos
@@wbwayne8887 Sorry, friend. VW is responding to consumer demand. Not the other way around. The reason the Taos exists in the US and the standard Golf is gone while the Golf remains in Europe and the Taos is nowhere to be found reflects market conditions.
The Taos appears to be the best compact SUV out there. The CX30 is just too small. I don't care that it has piano black interior trim or fake exhaust outlets. No biggie. It's a good looking vehicle inside and out. Not sure the SEL is a good value though. Seems like you'd be better off moving up to a Tiguan if you're going to spend $35,400. Great review!!
I had the chance to see that car when I bought my Golf a few weeks ago. Nice car, love the design! If I had a family I would’ve bought it. Thanks for the video, Joe!
Great video Joe! 2022 Taos is a nice looking SUV but I gotta say, with only 158 horsepower, it's going to feel sluggish when loaded down with people and cargo. Even the Corolla has 169 horsepower!
@@charleshsu7160 That's even worse. Imagine this Taos carrying 4 American sized adults and a 100 pounds of cargo. All that strain on the already strained (due to turbocharger) tiny 1.5 liter engine. That engine's gonna blow right after warranty!
Traded in my 18 Tiguan for one of these. I know price difference isn’t much but this just looks better and I didn’t need the size the Tiguan brought. Love the cornflower blue and black rims, plus the moonroof and IQ drive package, I ended up with in an SE trim model. I still trip out every time I turn on the travel assist cruise control! Great review, as always!
@@SEVEN_DUCK I agree with the first half of your statement. However, if the new Tiguan was as nice as the last US Touareg I definitely would’ve held onto it, those things are gorgeous, which is a far cry from the current Tiguan.
Torque: 250Nm Top speed: 192kmh Fuel consumptions: 9.43l/100km in city, 7.41l/100km on highway Boot capacity: 789l with seats up, 1952l with seats down
Yes!!! We've been waiting for you to review this one. Thanks for posting this and, as usual, providing such a fantastic, in-depth review. It's a fantastic car and I'd love to pick one up, especially now that I've seen your review. I just don't see as much value there with the prices (lack of incentives) in this market. Crazy times!
Update! I tried the launch control of the 7 speed DCT on the Taos it works like charm, can't belive they advertise this vehicles as a 8.4 second 0-60 when in reality it can do 6.9 secons using regular 87 gas when using launch
I'm still shocked at how manufacturers are doing everything they can ( well most EU Manufacturers are ) to reduce Carbon Footprint and yet consumers are still concerned about 0-60 times? Not everyone wants to drive like a racer off the lights. Space, Practicality & Emissions should be more of a concern Consumers can change their minds of what they actually want and need and can put the planets health at the forefront of that decision. Its just about changing what we REALLY need in a vehicle. Come on Joe, Raiti's Rides can change the game and start adding CO2 into the conversation, hopefully you can change the consumers decisions slowly. Great Channel btw, love watching your clips
One of the best new cars that VW has released recently. I just hope that they give it more power in the next refresh. Also it’s a little overpriced for what you get.
@@fatimagutierrez4757 yea it’s really cheap idk what these people are seeing for their msrp but for what you get especially the limited trim is really good value.
Great review Joe. The Taos is a great looking sub-compact SUV but the fake dual exhaust tips in the rear bumper are a big turnoff and the quality of materials in the interior just aren't up there with the class leaders. With 158 ponies it's definitely underpowered for the class. VW would have been better off putting their 2 liter turbo in the engine bay.
I have a TAOS SE. The car I drove before this was a 2012 Camaro 2 SS with a manual....the Taos powerful enough. And as for the crap materials, who touches the top of their dash as they are driving? All in all, it's a perfect little crossover, almost got the Atlas cross sport but didn't need all that space.
Its not under powered compared to the competition. Turbo makes the peak torque available sooner. Its good for its class. Mpg is also good. It may sell very well. I never owned anything made by VW, but if I were looking in this class, I would certainly consider Taos...
Very informative. Regarding performance, I just experienced a 2021 Jetta, and Ian impressed with that 8 speed gear box and I enjoyed the fun of ‘manual shifting’ without stepping on a clutch.I look forward to have a test drive in Vancouver BC Canada of the Taos.
I test drove this at Mckenna VW in Cerritos it's nimble and the DCT jerk and the interior material is not worth 35k. I went to next door Browning Mazda and sat on 21 Mazda CX 30 Premium and I was impressed, felt luxurious, comes with surround camera and all safety features and the driving dynamics of the CX 30 is really good and it is cheaper than Taos.
Great job, great review Joe and Lori! I thoroughly enjoyed your review of the '22 Taos! I think I'm going to test drive this and see how it goes. I had the Jetta TDI and loved it, maybe a VW in my future. Keep rockin it guys!!
Not really. Every VW has the same design around the shifter regardless of the model and regardless of the national market. And no VW fills the space with buttons. Again regardless of the model or market. Furthermore, the Europeans don't get options not available in the US simply because the Taos is meant ONLY for the North American market.
No, thanks VW. The dummy slots are courtesy of VW not including options and features available in other markets. NHTSA has nothing to do with how VW decontents US products. They do this because they are not cost competitive with other offerings in the segment. Compare the cost and features of a fully loaded Tao with a Mazda CX-30 or Kia Seltos. The only subcompact CUV that is less cost competitive is the loaded Bronco Sport and they are giving serious softroading capabilities.
@@matthewgaines10 Care to explain why VW's flagship European sedan, the Arteon, and their most expensive SUV in Europe, the Touareg, as well as Euro spec GTIs and Golf Rs have similar "dummy slots" surrounding the shift lever even in the fully loaded highest trims? It's certainly true that US spec VW models traditionally are less loaded with features than their European counterparts, a decision common to non-US manufacturers (e.g. KIA) designed to meet a competitive price point. But that has absolutely nothing to do with the design of the space surrounding the shift lever on VWs. And if Americans were prepared to pay European prices for VWs, such as the equivalent of over $50,000 for a GTI, , the "decontenting" of the vehicles in North America would likely not exist.
The VW Taos size is in line with the 1st Generation Tiguan. It makes sense for America to discontinue the non-performance Golf Mk8s (non-GTi, non-R). For Canada at first they decided to bring in the non-Performance Golf Mk8s, however due to the market conditions (especially with COVID), they later decided to only again offer the performance versions. For me I would settle with the Comfortline (Canadian Spec) as it does provide the best balance between comforts and price especially if you opt up with the Panoramic Sunroof and 18" Rims. Although I won't get the ventilated seats nor the navigation system, but I can get by without either. For the Navi, I would go with my CarPlay for linking to my Navi. For the Comfortline we do get synthetic leather though, which I kind of prefer over the animal hide.
Liked your review of the VW 2022Taos. We now own a 2022 Taos SE, but also recently rented the Mazda cx30. A quirk with the cx30 is the air vents are located too low on the passenger side due to the design of the dash. Also, the instrument panel, etc looks cheap. The infotainment system is a nightmare to figure out and operate and the owner’s manual is no help. To summarize, the cx30 looks great on the outside, but Taos is the better choice for overall practicality. Don K.
I drove a Tiguan and thought it had some sort of N/A 4-cylinder with a CVT. Turns out it had a turbo and traditional gearbox. Coulda fooled me. I can see how fans of the Golf are really gonna love this lifted version of a vehicle they prefer to lower. Loved the space of the Tiguan, but don’t need the third row.
The gloss black on the front of the car that you mentioned should probably get PPF, I would recommend. My friend just bought one and drove from Wisconsin to Chicago, and had bugs really ingrained into the black gloss, and the car wash she went to, the detailer scrubbed too much and swirled the heck out of that gloss black. Also I did notice the top of the dash is a very hard plastic, which VW could've went soft touch on there. Great car if you're a city driver definitely! Thanks for the review!
I have an atlas and bought my twins 19 Jetta and 19 Beetle. I like the VW styling now. Many car makers have gone boy racer. My oldest daughter is considering the Taos.
Hey joe a really lovely car and amazing car review! Just a quick question do you think you can get a hold of the Volvo XC60 and review it? If not then totally understandable😉
Best review in the business. This is a fantastic vehicle in class. I'd say probably even best in class as long as Mazda has the worst infotainment in the auto business
@@Fayevalentina541 for only FWD and no options. Look at the Seltos, Kona, and HRV, they all have nice plush interior, loaded with options, and about 1k-5k cheaper than Taos.
I travel for work and I don't care about power I am looking for good mpg and good amount of space for my work gears so I'd say she's perfect for my needs !!
Does a portion of the sun roof open? If not it just like a pressure cooker in the sun with that translucent roof shade. Yet, again, another great video! And yes for the small cuv videos! Keep em comin'!
Another Great review! I know exactly the area and roads you drive! LOL (I live in St. Pete!). I have been wondering about this CUV and I have a Mazda CX-30 and we need an additional vehicle. Glad for your comments and comparisons between them.
VW made the mistake of calling the Alltrak and Sportwagen “wagons.” They have virtually the same cargo space as the Taos but no one bought them because SUV/CUV/Crossovers are cool right now, not station wagons.
@@martinn4186 the irony is that SUVs and crossovers, by virtue of their ubiquity, are the new mom/dad cars that replace the minivans of the 90’s. Now, given their rarity, wagons are the niche cars that appeal to more enthusiasts, making them more cool.
I agree with Patee. In Europe where the driver is on the right side it makes sense that the fuel is also on the right. However, in countries where the driver is on the left the fuel tank should be on the left as well.
I honestly think the vehicle has a great layout. I’m a VW guy myself but I don’t see myself in one on my next purchase. This trend of smaller engines and slapping turbos to them to produce less horsepower then competitors is killing the brand imo. Imagine the audio 2.5L TFSI in this 400hp/354lbs of torque 😳in this, talk about a winner. Piano black has got to go, it’s a terrible material choice that almost instantly shows spiderweb scratches the moment you wipe it with anything. Other then these I think it’s a great vehicle especially with the panoramic sunroof and ventilated seats and the color is nice too, I’d like to see a blacked out R-Line though… maybe with that TFSI 🙏🏻 Oh and Harmon Kardon please drop the beats just my preference
Yeah, when I listened about that engine and first thought was “what if swap this trash to TSFI from GTI” Great car, great whistles and bells, everything what you like VW for, except the engine. Sad story
So I am very tempted in getting the Taos or Atlas but I have never had a Volkswagen before. Are they reliable? What I have read so far is no so good, but again thre's a bit of mix opinion as usual.
@@alex2139 I had VW Rabbit 2008 for several years; it's a great car, a delightful ride, and after I sold it, I was only dreaming about getting a new R version one. To be honest, I had multiple problems with that, but I believe I had it because that was my first car, and I made many mistakes with maintaining it. (I left moon roof open under heavy rain and ruined all electric 😅) You have to remember that you gonna get a German car, they are expensive in maintenance, parts are difficult to find. I believe you will enjoy Atlas, but I decided for myself that I won’t buy Taos, as I don’t know what to expect from it, and, still, I wouldn’t say I like this engine.
It needs that 230hp-260hp power-plant as an optional Sport tier and it would dominate the market. No that does not require a price increase is just means they can stop being greedy and dominate the market by selling more with slightly less profit margin. More VW's on the road is good both for their service dept & the aftermarket plus that means more people are making a switch to VW and may continue to buy their vehicles over other manufactures in the big picture. What do I know I've only had 20yrs of sales and marketing experience. I'm not saying that to sound arrogant I'm saying this because I want them to push the boundaries and show what they are capable of. They Can step on the front door of Mercedes & BMW and offer a better value I guarantee they'll be pulling customers! I still prefer my 04' Subaru Forester XT Limited. AWD & more power from 18 years ago! 0-60 in 5.3 sec. Upgrade tires and $700 of STI parts and a tune and under 5sec 0-60. Biggest problem with VW & Subaru is the resale value! I have 5 Toyota's & 1 Acura and out of the 5, four of them are increasing in value. Show my any modern VW that can do that.
I spoke to VW yesterday, about the fake exhaust tips. They said if they were real, you would get exhaust on your car, because of their placement. They said, this is eliminated by putting the actual tail pipe under the car.
Jeff from Runnergy here. Great video as always. Seems like thedemisyons compete with the big sub compact Jeep Renegade. Little bigger and much wider than others in the segment.
DILEMMA HERE: I need to decide if i buy a new TAOS 4 motions or Passat v6 2014 - 2018. I am a Passat fan lover. I had two new passat vr6 in the past. and i have feeling for the passat. My goal was buy cheap car first like the passat at $12k and later buy 4x4 van. I will use that for my company in telecom to meet customers. will use it on daily basis. do you have any advise for me please?
It's kinda sad how they sure NEED a mini van or bring back a VW bus or SUT! Tao has no Fog Light! They NEED a cross over from Large, Mid and small to tiny! Enought SUV!
Did I hear right that you cant add a trailer hitch to the Taos? Must have feature for me to use for e-biking. Ya im not about lifting those 80lbs bikes onto roof racks either.
I test drove the base version of this vehicle, waiting to see what the top end version is line up here in Canada. Should be similar to this version. Seems to be good value for what you get. The back up camera seemed low res to me. I’m fine with the engine output at this price point
@@charlesbannab2786 Yes, I am in the 'Peg. I test drove it at the new VW location on Regent, only cuz I live just east of the city. I'm waiting for a call back when they get the higher trimline to go check it out.
Just bought a 2022 hyundai santa fe limited hybrid. Seriously best car ever. We test drove and researched over 10+ cars. Hyundai is in a league of its own. Plus a 10 year 100,000 mile warranty to throw in the mix.
$36K on this is just silly. Not even real leather or power lift gate for that money at SEL trim. So many better options out there at that price point that have more amenities and even more room. VW is just continuing to give out bland, already dated interiors.
