2022 Taos Steps Up VW's Compact CUV Push

When the new ’22 Volkswagen Taos goes on sale in the second quarter of 2021, it will join the existing Tiguan in the compact CUV class.

It won’t be the first time Volkswagen has doubled up to reach different customers within a market segment. The automaker takes the same approach with the 5-passenger Atlas Cross Sport and 7-passenger Atlas.

With the ’22 Taos, however, VW employs a different tactic. Rather than sell two versions of the Tiguan, the automaker bases the new Taos on a vehicle originally designed for Chinese and South American customers, modifying it for North American consumer preferences.

VW says this strategy enables the Taos to better compete in price while simultaneously offering the expressive design and modern technology buyers seek in a small, entry-level CUV.

Volkswagen anticipates finding plenty of customers for the Taos. The automaker’s research shows compact CUVs account for nearly a quarter of all new-vehicle sales in the U.S. Furthermore, a third of its U.S. customers already buy the Tiguan, which occupies territory at the larger and more expensive end of the class. The new Taos is a smaller and more affordable alternative, allowing the automaker to double its presence in a market segment it believes will account for 28.1% of all sales by 2030.

VW Taos 22 interior

Recently, VW invited us to drive a pre-production prototype of the new ’22 Taos. Our report includes details of the CUV’s sophisticated new 1.5L turbocharged 4-cyl., available transmissions and our initial driving impressions. Now, the automaker has released further information about the Taos.

Styling highlights include a tall and sculpted hood, bold side character lines, squared-off wheel arches and prominent front and rear skid plate designs. Short overhangs, lower perimeter body cladding and four different aluminum wheel designs ranging up to 19 ins. complete the Taos’ rugged appearance.

A standard two-tone color scheme dominates the interior (above), which has a clean, high-tech appearance. Digital Cockpit instrumentation is standard, using a configurable 8-in. (20-cm) display. In higher trims, an upgraded version of Digital Cockpit offers a 10.25-in. (26-cm) screen.

A 6.5-in. (16-cm) infotainment touchscreen is standard, and the ’22 Taos includes next-generation Car-Net connected services with subscription-based Wi-Fi.

Wireless versions of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are part of the available MIB 3 infotainment platform, which also includes a larger 8-in. touchscreen, SiriusXM satellite radio and wireless smartphone charging. Navigation and a Beats Audio premium sound system also are available.

Volkswagen’s IQ Drive suite of advanced driver-assistance systems is available for the ’22 Taos. Highlights include adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blindspot warning, lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assistance.

IQ Drive also equips the Taos with Travel Assist for Level 2 ADAS on highways and Emergency Assist, which brings the Taos to a safe stop if the driver becomes unresponsive.

Though it is 9.3 ins. (236 mm) shorter in overall length than the Tiguan, the Taos provides nearly as much interior passenger space at 99.5 cu.-ft. (2,818 L).

The Taos holds 28.1 cu.-ft. (796 L) of cargo behind its 60/40-split folding rear seat, and 66.3 cu.-ft. (1,877 L) with it folded down. A center pass-through allows the Taos to carry long items, such as skis, while accommodating four passengers.

Volkswagen will offer the ’22 Taos in S, SE and SEL trim levels. Cloth seats are standard, and every Taos has push-button engine starting, LED headlights with automatic operation and LED taillights. A Cold Weather Package for the Taos S installs heated front seats, heated side mirrors and heated washer-jet nozzles.

Volkswagen also offers remote engine starting, keyless entry, 10-color interior ambient lighting and an oversized panoramic sunroof for the new Taos.

The automaker will finalize Taos prices closer to the CUV’s expected arrival during second-quarter 2021. Competitive targets include the Jeep Compass, Nissan Rogue Sport and Subaru Crosstrek, with base prices ranging from $22,245 to $23,895.

VW Taos 22 (3)