The paradigm shift towards SUVs and crossovers has forced automakers to abandon sedans and pour in most of their resources into developing new, budget high-ride vehicles. Take Volkswagen itself, for instance. The company has launched four SUVs in less than half-a-decade, but that didn’t deter it from introducing a fifth product in the series.

The company has unveiled a new compact crossover for the U.S. market called the Taos. The Taos will slot below the Tiguan in the automaker’s lineup and will take on the likes of Jeep Compass and Subaru Crosstrek. Can it make a name for itself and co-exist without affecting the Tiguan’s sales?

How Is It On The Outside?

The 2022 Taos is a clean- and neat-looking vehicle without any extra shenanigans. Unlike many other budget crossovers that are all sassy and scream for attention, the Taos looks mature and will please people who want a vehicle that will go unnoticed in the crowd.

The Taos has a rather handsome face and the front end looks a bit busy. The top trims will come with LED headlights, which include a stripe running from the cluster to the logo on the grille, à la the ID.4 electric SUV. The Taos will be offered in eight different exterior shades.

The Taos features square wheel arches black plastic cladding that runs across the doors as well. 17-inch aluminum wheels will be offered as standard, while 18-inch wheels will be available with either machined or black finish. 19-inch wheels will also be offered as optional that fill the wheel wells well. The rear bumper also has black plastic cladding on it and features a faux skid plate to add to the rugged looks.

How Is The 2022 Taos On The Inside?

The Taos’ cabin feels quite premium for the segment it slots in. Two-tone upholstery comes as standard on all the trims, but you can also opt for optional leatherette and leather surfaces as well. Behind the flat-bottom steering wheel is an analog-digital instrument cluster with crisp displays. The center console houses an eight-inch touchscreen in the mid and top trims, whereas the base trim comes with a 6.5-inch touchscreen. It runs on the MIB3 infotainment system. Other features include:

-* Automatic Headlights

-* Push-button Start

-* Keyless Access

-* Dual-zone Climate Control

-* Wireless Charging

-* Ten-color Ambient Lighting

-* Eight-speaker BeatsAudio Sound System

-* Eight-way Adjustable Power Driver Seat

-* Rain-sensing Wipers

-* Heated Leatherette Steering Wheel, Side Mirrors, and Washer Nozzles

-* Heated and Ventilated Front Seats

Size Matters

The Taos measures 175.8 inches long, 72.5 inches wide, and 64.4 inches tall. It is just 9.3 inches shorter than the Tiguan. The wheelbase measures 105.9 inches.

Volkswagen Taos vs Tiguan exterior dimensions

Length

175.8

185.1

Width

72.5

72.4

Height

64.4

66.3

Wheelbase

105.9

109.8


Overall, the cabin of the Taos measures 99.5 cubic-feet, which is just 1.6 cubic-feet smaller than the Tiguan’s. The legroom measures 40.1 and 37.9 inches in the front and back, respectively. The Taos also comes with a healthy cargo space of 28.1 cubic-feet. Flip the second-row seats and you now have 66.3 cubic-feet of space available at your disposal.

What’s Under The Hood?

The Taos will be offered with just one engine option – a 1.5-liter, four-cylinder turbocharged engine. This is the same engine that’s plonked under the hood of the Jetta as well. In the Taos, it churns out 158 ponies and 184 pound-feet of twist. If you opt for the front-wheel-drive model, the engine will come paired with an eight-speed automatic gearbox. The 4Motion all-wheel-drive models, however, come with the fancier seven-speed DSG automatic transmission that offers lightning-quick gear shifts. Volkswagen says that the engine offers several high-tech features designed to help produce outstanding fuel economy, but hasn’t released the figures yet.

Volkswagen Taos Driver-Assistance Features

The Taos also comes with “IQ.DRIVE”, a suite of driver assistance technologies, as standard on all the trims. It includes:

-* Forward Collision Warning with Autonomous Braking (Front Assist)

-* Active Blind Spot Monitor

-* Lane Keeping System (Lane Assist)

-* Adaptive Cruise Control with a Stop and Go feature

-* Travel Assist and Emergency Assist

-* High Beam Control (Light Assist)

-* Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS)

-* Park Distance Control

Final Thoughts

The Taos will be offered in three trims with familiar nomenclatures – S, SE, and SEL. The Taos will be built at the automaker’s Puebla factory in Mexico and will arrive at the dealerships in the second quarter of 2021. Although Volkswagen has not announced the pricing yet, we expect it to start around $25,000. Do you think the Taos will affect the Tiguan’s sales? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.