In 2024 the affordability factor of new automobiles continues to perplex potential buyers. The average price of a new car in America in 2024 reached a staggeringly high $48,759 according to Cox Automotive. The popularity of larger three row vehicles and pickup trucks add to this phenomenon along with more advanced onboard safety equipment and recent supply chain issues.
Germany’s largest automaker offers a potential price-cut solution in the form of Taos a pleasant-looking five-door crossover belying its subcompact status. Ample headroom and a stretched wheelbase (distance between front and rear axle) create a comfortable inside experience. Measuring in as one of the larger subcompacts it’s still 9.3-inches shorter than Tiguan, VW’s compact crossover and next biggest five door.
Taos starts at $23,995, one of a handful of new vehicles priced under $24,000, but adding options adds quickly to bottom line upticks. A relative newcomer to the VW lineup arriving in the 2022 model year, Taos eventually replaced the bug-like Beetle subcompact which retired from the U.S. lineup in 2019.
In 2024, Taos helps VW celebrate 75 years of business in the U.S. Back in 1949, the quirky, air-cooled Beetle (known as the Type 1 initially) arrived in New York for sale. A decade later, the company debuted a memorable marking campaign with the spot on tag line of ‘Think Small.’ From German, Volkswagen translates to ‘The People’s Car.’
As with many other compact and mid-size VW offerings, Taos builds from the ground up upon a MQB worldwide platform sporting two solid-mounted subframes utilized for the past decade.
Three 2024 Taos trim levels include S, SE and SEL. Base S and mid-level SE come with the choice of front wheel drive or all-wheel drive which VW markets as 4Motion. Top-level SEL arrives with 4Motion standard. The 4Motion in S trims adds $2,340 to the bottom line while a $1,450 extra in SE. Volkswagen’s all-wheel drive brings aboard an updated rear suspension contributing to refined handling.
Upgrades in 2024 include a SE Black edition featuring all SE content while adding a black roof, black mirror caps, black A-Pillars, black spoiler and wheels with blackout exterior design elements. Also IQ.DRIVE, VW’s impressive suite of driver assist and radar-infused safety technology, now comes standard in all trims, a great added-value move. Finally, SE trims now boast dual climate controls up front.
All 4Motion models include a twist dial between bucket seats from where four unique all-wheel modes select. This latest generation of 4Motion operates in front-wheel drive during low-load situations, automatically switching to all-wheel drive through a center differential in microseconds before wheel spin occurs with no driver input helping minimize traction loss. Up to 50 percent of torque may be distributed to the rear wheels.
All generate pepped up power for the subcompact class compliments of a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine delivering 158 horsepower. Regular 87-octane gas fills the 13.2-gallon tank. Two different automatic transmission include an eight-speed automatic available with front wheel drive while all-wheel drive steps up with a seven-speed DSG (Dual-Shit Gearbox) a family of dual clutch transmission. Either way acceleration classifies as predictable but not overwhelming.
A performance-oriented dual clutch transmission blends together the worlds of manual and automatic transmissions, tweaking up fuel economy and reducing emissions while providing lightning quick gear movement with no gaps in propulsion power. This parallel gearbox system requires no foot clutch found within the manual transmission universe while eliminating the torque converter found with conventional automatics. Clutch one handles odd gears (1,3,5,7) while the second clutch takes on even ones (2,4,6) plus reverse. From a layman’s perspective, it’s an upgraded automatic transmission with no foot clutch hassles. Normally associated with upscale premium brands, Taos rates as one of the few subcompacts with this opportunity.
Exterior vibes offer a non-polarizing, conservative bent. Volkswagen includes one of the best, simplistic and most recognized logos in the universe, the circular framed V over W appearing on the back hatch, steering wheel and centering the narrow front grill with a honeycomb-type filling. At night, a white light bar (in top-trim SEL’s only) illuminates from the logo across and connects up with the headlight housing with a pair of bejeweled LED bulbs separated by ‘L’ shaped bars.
The roof’s apex occurs at the B pillar where a subtle downward slope heads toward the liftgate. High side belt lines start at the edge of the of the light housing traveling relatively straight toward taillight housing and above the body-colored strap-like handles. The manual lifting hatch door provides surprisingly ample head clearance for a subcompact sized product along with a convenient molded underside grab bar when closing.
Handling characteristics rate as above average especially around corners but expect a greater amount of highway noise and feedback if traveling the open road.
Our SEL tester, standard with just about every bell and whistle, included a starting price of $33,515. The only factory option, the upgraded Pure Gray exterior hue added $395 for a bottom line tickling $35,260 including a $1,350 destination charge.
Our SEL arrives with nuances not available in lower trims including electronic rear parking sensors and a dynamic display of road signs appearing within the instrument panel. Also, adaptive headlights that swivel with the steering wheel’s movement and a panoramic sunroof get included. Ambient interior thin dashboard pen lighting and heated/ventilated front seats add comfort and visual style.
The instrument panel includes a colorful digital window between an illuminated right-side bar-style fuel gauge and left side temperature gauge. Five different IP views select from a button on the steering wheels right side. Our top-tier SEL includes a larger 10.25-inch Digital Pro layout featuring a second navigation feed visible within the digital window.
The IP separates from the in-dash touch-sensitive screen to the east. Entry S models include a 6.5-inch center screen size while SE and SEL promote an eight-inch variety. Below the screen, rectangular air vents. Above the screen along the topside of the dashboard, a carved-out section useful for placing small items for temporary storage. Other storage opportunities include a deep, smallish, armrest/bin hinged in back between the buckets.
The circular electronic push start/stop engine button locates between the bucket seats to the northwest of the vertical sliding automatic transmission gear selector. Also in the area, an electronic parking brake tab and push button deactivating the engine start/stop function at prolonged stops.
Taos employees the time-tested temperature template of three dials with push plate inserts monitoring six HVAC functions. In addition, a row of push buttons above include a button controlling fan direction and heated seat functions. For those wishing to interact with screen commands, the upper two trims offer a secondary option when selecting the touch screen icon.
Front bucket seats include comfortable height positions with sturdy backrests. Too many times compact or smaller sports cars feel like one’s sitting six inches from the pavement. Row two provides excellent head and leg room, too. Three adults could squeeze together on short jaunts. With the 60/40 split second row seats prone, Taos with 4Motion offer 24.9 cubic feet of cargo expanse, best in the subcompact class. Fold down second row seatbacks, and cargo room expands to 60.2 cubic feet.
An angled wireless charging cove resides under these controls in SEL trims along with a pair of Type C (the smaller, narrower version) USB ports.
All 2024 VWs, including Taos enjoy two years (or 20,000 miles) of scheduled carefree maintenance including oil changes at VW dealerships. Volkswagen’s generous four-year/50,000-mile warranty differs from most in that it’s transferable to the next owner throughout the remainder of its duration. Twenty-four-hour roadside assistance coverage is good for three years or 36,000 miles and includes jump starts and flat tire issues.
2024 Volkswagen TaosPrice as tested: $35,260
Engine: 1.5 liter turbocharged four cylinder
Horsepower: 158
Wheelbase: 105.5 inches
Overall Length: 175.8 inches
Overall Height: 65.1 inches
Overall Width: 72.5 inches
Fuel Economy: 24 mpg city/ 32 mpg highway
Curb weight: 3,557 pounds
Powertrain Warranty: Four years/50,000 miles
Assembly: Pueblo, Mexico