2024 Volkswagen Taos SEL
Class: Subcompact crossover
Shade: Pure Grey
Seating Capability: 5
Miles pushed: 189
Actual-world gas economic system: 29.3 mpg
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Consolation | A- |
| Energy and Efficiency | C+ |
| Match and End | B+ |
| Gas Economic system | B+ |
| Worth | B |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus different automobiles in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim degree evaluated, and will not replicate Client Information’s impressions of the complete mannequin lineup. | |
| Massive & Tall Consolation | |
| Massive Man | A |
| Tall Man | A- |
| Massive & Tall consolation rankings are for entrance seats solely. “Massive” ranking primarily based on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” ranking primarily based on 6’6″-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 158-horsepower 1.5-liter |
| Engine Sort | Turbocharged 4-cylinder |
| Transmission | 7-speed dual-clutch computerized |
| Drive Wheels | AWD |
Driving combine: 65% metropolis, 35% freeway
EPA-estimated gas economic system: 24/32/27 (metropolis, freeway, mixed)
Gas sort: Common gasoline
Base value: $33,515 (not together with $1350 vacation spot cost)
Choices on check car: Particular paint ($395)
Worth as examined: $35,260
Fast Hits
The nice: Roomy and properly appointed cabin, simple on the gasoline
The great: Balanced experience and dealing with, upscale really feel
The not so good: Balky energy supply, glitchy infotainment system
Tom Appel
There may be an old-school stoicism to the Volkswagen Taos that’s not present in different small crossovers just like the Hyundai Kona or Kia Seltos. The correct, upright design of the Taos, mixed with its crisp, formal sheet-metal, provides VW’s smallest U.S.-market crossover a way of reserved propriety uncommon in its class.
Certainly, the Taos, launched stateside in 2022, presents as extra premium than playful, a vibe which can play a job in serving to shoppers resolve to buy the Volkswagen, or search elsewhere for a small ‘ute with a spunkier angle.
We’ve no downside with the little VW’s design, although formal, it comes off as German—in the very best method—and the formality of its design could higher swimsuit younger, entry-level drivers trying to be taken severely early of their skilled and social lives.
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The Taos returns for the 2023 mannequin 12 months largely unchanged, and although priced barely increased than the likes of the aforementioned Kona and Seltos, it’s reserved nature could also be simply what many consumers are in search of.
The ’24 Taos lineup ascends up from the entry-level S trim degree (beginning round $25,000), uplevel SE (Round $30,000), and tops out with the well-equipped SEL ($35,000). New for 2024 is the SE Black, which begins round $32,000 and slots between the SE and SEL.
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All 2024 Taos fashions are powered by a 158-horsepower 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. Entrance-wheel drive fashions mate the engine to a standard 8-speed computerized transmission, whereas AWD examples make use of a 7-speed “dual-clutch” computerized. The topline SEL comes solely with AWD and the DCT computerized.
Client Information just lately spent every week behind the wheel of the topline Taos SEL. With vacation spot cost and extra-cost Pure Grey paint our check automobile got here to $35,515 And whereas we like the colour, we’re not fully positive what makes in “pure.”
Like all Volkswagen crossovers, the Taos is seemingly bigger on the within than it’s on the surface. There’s no scarcity of front-row seating house, even for bigger of us, and the beneficiant door openings make for straightforward car entry and exit. The cabin itself is trendy in really feel and properly appointed, although not all the supplies employed are premium in really feel; there’s loads of onerous plastic to be discovered, in case you search for it. Nonetheless, the inside typically comes of as stylish.
Whereas most controls are clearly marked and simple to succeed in, not all is effectively on the earth of Taos connectivity. We’re sparred with VW’s native infotainment methods earlier than, and nonetheless discover it irritating. This editor’s cellphone, for instance, wanted to be relinked to the automobile a number of instances over the course of our check week, including time to my commute. Moreover, the information displayed on the Taos touchscreen typically trailed the content material being performed through Bluetooth—rendering the show just about ineffective when listening to music or podcasts.
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Utilizing Apple CarPlay, the system appeared to carry out higher when a connection was established, however Apple engagement did little to maintain the automobile/cellphone Bluetooth connection in place between drive. On the plus facet, the Beats-brand audio system, normal on the SEL, does a pleasant job reproducing the mid-century American jazz favored by this editor.
On the highway the Taos acquits itself effectively. The little crossover rides and handles effectively, and the cabin is usually quiet, particularly for the category. For no matter motive, AWD Taos fashions make use of a extra subtle rear-suspension design, the influence of which is best really feel in quick corners and on curvy roads, but additionally rather less cargo house.
Round city the DCT computerized transmission could be clunky, shifting extra in low-speed driving than appears vital, and sometimes shifting harshly when accelerating from a begin. If a Taos check drive is in your future, make certain and spend a while evaluating the car in low-speed site visitors; it’s doable chances are you’ll discover the drivetrain too “busy” for each day commuting chores. That mentioned, the small turbocharged engine offers higher than enough energy for all however the most-aggressive passing maneuvers.
And whereas the Taos AWD drivetrain perhaps balky in site visitors, it’s definitely environment friendly. In driving that favored metropolis circumstances, we noticed higher than 29 mpg. And, the Taos is okay operating on regular-grade gasoline.
In a nutshell, the Taos is a cultured, upscale-feeling little crossover than gives up surprisingly roomy and cozy cabin, and wonderful gas economic system. We’re dissatisfied by the glitchy connectivity and the dearth of slow-speed drivetrain smoothness, although maybe the latter could be chalked as much as “character.”
So far as security is worried, VW’s complete IQ.Drive suite of driver-assistance methods is normal on all Taos trim ranges. A degree of worth: Taos presents higher is a decrease trim degree, however we don’t discover our check automobile’s price ticket particularly off placing. We advocate the midlevel SE, however recognize why a consumer would possibly need to benefit from the moreover stylish environs of the SEL.
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2024 Volkswagen Taos SEL Gallery
(Click on beneath for enlarged photographs)