2023 Volkswagen Taos: A Surprising Small German Crossover

Stepping into the Volkswagen Taos might feel a little like a magic trick. This is the smallest SUV in the VW lineup, but it has a surprisingly roomy cabin.

When you want the excellence of European driving manners and a crossover that brings something a little different, the Taos can be exactly what you want to drive. The 2023 model year is only the second year in the market for this small SUV that fits under the Tiguan in the lineup. This compact crossover has a lot going for it; let’s see if it could be the right model for you.

The Taos Offers Peppy and Fun Driving on Any Road

This small Volkswagen SUV brings a nice blend of balance, power, and steering perfection. If you want some driving pleasure, the Taos delivers with a peppy engine and the right system to control this SUV out on the road. Don’t go looking for supercar speed or sports car corner carving with this VW SUV, but it does bring a smooth ride with quick responses and good acceleration to your drive. When you’ve got to keep your life between the lines, this can be more than enough to give you the desired experience on every road.

What Makes this Volkswagen SUV a Great Choice?

The Volkswagen Taos might not be a name you know well, but it’s one you should get to know. This small and active SUV is roomy for its size, brings a perky turbocharged engine, and has technology that’s well beyond it’s class. The only downside to this little VW SUV is that it comes at a higher price than most rivals. You’ll find a new base S model with more safety features, the addition of driver-assistance tech for the SE model, and a panoramic sunroof for the SEL trim.

The Cabin Delivers Pure German Styling

The German way of styling a cabin is often to give you a simple and straightforward layout. This is an excellent way to keep things simple and provide you with the controls and driving systems you want to enjoy. You won’t get lost in a sea of buttons in the Taos, but you do have some tactile controls for the temperature and audio systems.

A traditional gear lever is found in this VW SUV, which makes some driver sigh with relief. The base model includes a 6.5-inch touchscreen with upper trims offering a larger 8-inch unit. All models of the Taos now include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto phone integration. If you move up to the SE or SEL trims, you’ll find wireless connectivity and charging, making things more convenient for you.

VW adopted the Audi Digital Cockpit and put it in this small SUV. This means you’ve got an all-digital instrument cluster that shows up on an 8-inch screen in the S and SE models, while the SEL trim shows off with a 10.25-inch screen.

The cargo area of the Volkswagen Taos is impressive, with 27.9 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 65.9 cubic feet available when the rear seats are folded. This cargo space is one of the best in the subcompact crossover SUV class.

Appreciate the Classic Styling of the Volkswagen Taos

If you admire the style of the larger Volkswagen SUVs, you’ll enjoy the look of the Taos. This small VW SUV brings much of the same design and styling elements to give us an SUV that looks great on any road. The blockier design translates to the impressive interior room you find in this small and active SUV.

You will find some flash and style in this little VW SUV. The Taos has a light bar that runs across the front of the SEL trim, and you can enjoy the benefits of 18-inch wheels for the 4Motion AWD models. You might even enjoy some of the fun paint colors, such as Cornflower Blue.

What Will You Love About the 2023 Volkswagen Taos?

Maintenance Program

It can feel like you’re truly getting something extra when a vehicle comes with a maintenance program. The Taos includes a two-year/20,000-mile complimentary maintenance program to get you started on the right foot.

Driving Modes for the AWD Version

If you select the 4Motion AWD system of the VW Taos, you’ll have four user-adjustable drive modes, including off-road and off-road custom. These drive modes allow you to have the desired settings for the terrain you’re faced with.

Emergency Assist

While driving, if you become incapacitated, fall asleep, or have other issues that make it nearly impossible to continue driving, the Volkswagen Taos will stop for you. This system is optional for the S trim and standard on the upper two models, giving you another impressive level of safety.

The Digital Cockpit is Pretty Cool

When high-end features come down to mainstream brands, it’s a wonderful thing. The Digital Cockpit feature from Audi is now part of Volkswagen and shows up in the standard version of the Taos to be an excellent way for you to see the information you need during a drive.

How much Power Does the Taos Offer?

The Volkswagen Taos uses a 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. This setup delivers 158 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. Using this powertrain, you’ll enjoy 28 city/36 hwy mpg in FWD models and 25 city/32 hwy mpg when you select the 4Motion AWD system.

Is the Taos the Right SUV for You?

Do you want a subcompact crossover SUV that offers the most cargo room, European driving manners, and tactile controls in the cabin? If so, the 2023 Volkswagen Taos is easily the right choice for you to drive and enjoy. This small German SUV is a great entry point into the VW family, giving you a fantastic way to enjoy your time out on the road.

How will you know whether or not this SUV is the right one for you to drive? All you’ve got to do is head to your local VW dealer and take this SUV out for a test drive. The simple way this SUV presents features to you could be everything you want to go along with the active and peppy driving manners of the Taos.