The enterprise whose identify interprets to “people’s car” has at last started off providing the individuals what they basically want—which is no more time vehicles, but fairly suitable-priced and correct-sized SUVs. The Tiguan has been on sale since 2007, but the initial technology was both pricier and a bit far more cramped inside than its competition. The larger Touareg was pitched as a in close proximity to-luxurious, top quality-priced option to the mainstream, but product sales by no means took off. Today, nonetheless, a bigger, more affordable Tiguan slots down below the The usa-sized Atlas and Atlas Cross Activity, and the company now has its sights established on the very hot subcompact-SUV section. Fulfill the 2022 Volkswagen Taos, which will concentrate on the Kia Seltos, Mazda CX-30, Subaru Crosstrek, and mates.
This new VW remains extra than 50 % a calendar year absent from full output, but some elements—in particular its new, 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine—are very nearly thoroughly made, and MotorTrend was invited to VW’s improvement facility in Oxnard, California, for time powering the wheel of a Taos prototype.
When the 2022 Taos comes to industry in the summertime of 2021, it will present front or all-wheel push the example we drove was a front-driver with an eight-velocity torque-converter automated transmission. All-wheel-travel styles will arrive with the similar 1.5-liter motor but mated to a 7-pace dual-clutch vehicle. While VW has significantly of its aim on its electrification strategy and motor vehicles this sort of as the new ID4 EV SUV, there’s no doubt this new Taos demands to be fantastic.
The 2022 Taos Receives a Brand-New Engine
The new 1.5 capabilities a variable-geometry turbocharger and operates with a lot better gasoline pressure than the common 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that serves as the base powertrain in the Jetta and Golfing. The new 4-pot is creating its debut in the Taos, but you will find tiny doubt it will make its way to the Jetta and potentially even serve as the foundation powerplant in the Passat in the not also distant upcoming. (1 issue for specified is we won’t have a opportunity to acquire a 1.5T Golf—or any new Golf—as the all-new MkVIII model will not be offered in The united states without a GTI or R badge on its rump.)
The new motor delivers much more ability and similar torque to the Jetta’s 1.4-liter engine, pumping out 158 horsepower—an improve of eight—and 184 lb-ft of torque, the latter at 1,750 rpm. These output figures set the 2022 Taos proper in the heart of the section, just topping the 155-hp, 174-lb-ft Chevrolet Trailblazer but falling shy of the best-spec Kia Seltos SX turbo’s 175 hp and 195 lb-ft.
VW says its goal was not just to make extra energy, while, but also to produce very best-in-class fuel overall economy. We will never know if VW succeeded in that mission right up until close to the Taos is rated by the EPA, but our 45 minutes of blended driving on freeways, floor streets, and rural two-lanes returned an indicated 31 mpg. While these kinds of numbers are usually much more optimistic than watchful calculation working with genuine mileage and gasoline-fill totals, it really is truly worth noting we were not exactly babying the accelerator as we evaluated passing power and off-the-line acceleration.
Driving Impressions: The Early Returns
Acceleration from a dead halt was beautifully adequate, though the compact four-cylinder takes a beat to spool up its turbo and provide peak torque. Far more meaningful thrust takes place at 3,000 rpm, where by it feels like the horsepower commences to occur online. Redline on the prototype was marked at 6,000 rpm, and we don’t count on that to transform.
Midrange acceleration from 50 to 70 mph felt sturdy enough—you will never be caught out when diving out on a two-lane or generating a rapid move on the highway. Shifts from the 8-pace car were being fast and unobtrusive at all speeds and throttle positions. Above 75 mph, the minimal 1.5 begun to truly feel taxed, but this is a typical trait of compact-displacement, turbocharged engines. Puttering close to city, the new engine was particularly what it needed to be, a motivator—nothing far more and very little a lot less.
Factors like the suspension and steering have been much further more from their closing states of tune, so we will wait around to render ultimate judgement till we generate the closing products. For now, the experience was supple plenty of without the need of a ton of float, and the steering mild if a little bit imprecise at situations.
Within, considerably of the interior panels had been draped with camouflaging felt, and what we could see was normal Volkswagen fare exterior of a new, button-intensive (19 of them!) steering wheel. The infotainment display appears to be like a great deal like the models in the latest Jetta, and VW’s digital cockpit was mounted in our presumably larger-trim prototype. The entrance seats made available heating and air flow, and we found them to be much more supportive than people in the Tiguan and Atlas.
The Taos seems to be considerable from the exterior, and it feels tall and extensive from teh inside, as well, many thanks to a substantial hip-place that provides an impact of standard “bigness” to this modest SUV. The panoramic sunroof helped, way too, including to the ethereal impact. The rear bench seat experienced adequate kneeroom for an adult of common top, but the VW Taos is a tiny male and no one particular will blunder it for an executive limo. Cargo place is will be fewer than the Tiguan’s 38 cubic toes with the second row lifted, but by how considerably we don’t nonetheless know.
Volkswagen admits not getting a subcompact SUV to hawk to Us residents just before now was a bit of a blunder. (Soon after all, in July of this yr 73 percent of all automobiles marketed in the U.S. were both vehicles or SUVs.) Now it’s rectifying that problem with the Puebla, Mexico-built 2022 Taos, and this early expertise displays the minor SUV to have a good deal of assure. Of course, as with VW SUVs of the previous, Taos MSRPs will be important to its success, and doubly so in the price-obsessed small-SUV phase. We expect the range to operate from around $23,500 for the base S to $34,000 or so for a absolutely loaded top rated-pet SEL with all-wheel drive. It continues to be to be seen if the Taos will justify people prices—or if people today will be eager to shell out them—but you will find no question it really is great for VW that it really is now in the tiny-SUV fray.