The Volkswagen Taos. To be completely upfront, it wasn’t exactly on my radar as a vehicle I anticipated reviewing with any great enthusiasm. It wasn’t a matter of brand animosity towards Volkswagen, but more of a sense of indifference, a feeling that this was just another run-of-the-mill compact SUV in a market saturated with them. Imagine the apathy of a bored child trapped in a dusty archive, forced to watch endless reruns of a dry political talk show – that was my initial mindset approaching the Taos. Aggressive disinterest might be a more accurate description.
My reasoning stemmed from the Taos’s perceived ordinariness. It seemed to embody the most basic, default automotive choice in America today: a compact SUV equipped with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, four doors, and wheels that appeared disproportionately large, all wrapped in styling that felt both over-designed and utterly forgettable. Adding to this sense of homogeneity, the Taos appeared to be just another cog in Volkswagen’s SUV lineup, a series of vehicles that seemed to be variations on the same theme, differentiated only by minor size, styling, and price adjustments.
Image depicting a video frame with minimal design at the bottom.
The visual lineup speaks for itself:
Three SUVs, all seemingly cut from the same cloth stylistically, alongside an electric variant. It felt devoid of the character that once defined Volkswagen, especially when recalling their more eccentric past:
While beneath the surface, even those classic VWs shared a limited number of engine types, the visual diversity and character were undeniable. However, perhaps this comparison isn’t entirely fair. Modernity dictates a certain level of uniformity, and there’s no denying the advancements in modern vehicles regarding efficiency, safety, performance, and comfort, even if some of the charm seems to have been lost in the process. My point is, I wasn’t exactly predisposed to be impressed by the Taos.
Yet, something unexpected happened. I actually ended up enjoying the Taos! Against my initial skepticism, this compact SUV managed to win me over. Two simple, fundamental aspects broke through my automotive cynicism and allowed me to appreciate the Taos for what it is.
Surprisingly Colorful and Budget-Friendly
These two elements, metaphorically speaking, shared a common theme: green. Firstly, the color. The Taos test vehicle arrived in a bright, bold, almost electric shade of green, immediately grabbing my attention. In a world dominated by grayscale vehicles, this splash of vivid, unapologetic color was refreshing. While the Taos’s color palette isn’t extensive, it thankfully includes at least two genuinely vibrant options:
This striking green and a similarly eye-catching blue both enhance the Taos’s appearance significantly. One can only hope that the more mundane gray tones are largely overlooked by buyers.
The second “green” factor was, of course, monetary. The Taos is, by contemporary standards, an affordable vehicle. While the price does climb as you add features, the starting price remains under $25,000. The test model, a well-equipped Taos SEL 4MOTION, came in around $36,000. While not “cheap” in absolute terms, this is considerably less than the average new car price in 2024, which hovered near $48,000.
So, a pleasing color and a relatively accessible price point – a promising start indeed. However, the most significant takeaway from my time with the Taos was something more overarching:
Refreshingly Free of Unnecessary Complexity
Precisely! Compared to many new vehicles I’ve recently experienced, the Taos felt remarkably free of modern automotive “bullshit.” This is somewhat paradoxical, as it is undeniably a modern car, incorporating all the expected contemporary features. Yet, the overall experience of interacting with this modern vehicle was surprisingly straightforward and pleasant. The Taos doesn’t demand much from the driver. It simply executes the fundamental tasks expected of a car, and it does so quite competently.
To be clear, some minor instances of modern automotive absurdity persist, such as the purely decorative fake exhaust tips:
However, with proper use (or perhaps improper use involving grocery cart collisions), these should become detached within a year.
This sense of “bullshit-free” operation largely stems from the Taos’s basic dashboard controls and user interface. Having recently stepped out of a VW ID.Buzz, I had become accustomed to touch-sensitive volume controls and the frustratingly modal power window switches. Therefore, encountering traditional window switches in the Taos:
…along with physical volume knobs and other straightforward controls:
…resulted in a user experience where everything simply functioned as expected, easily and intuitively, requiring minimal cognitive effort – a definite plus for those of us prone to disaster when forced to overthink.
While I did explore Volkswagen’s native infotainment system, noting the inclusion of a comprehensive set of off-road instruments that will statistically be irrelevant to 99.9% of Taos owners:
More practically, the Taos featured wireless Apple CarPlay (and Android Auto compatibility), allowing seamless integration with my preferred smartphone OS for navigation, music, and podcasts. Crucially, the Taos also boasted the most reliable and user-friendly wireless phone charging system I’ve encountered in a modern car.
This is not hyperbole – wireless car chargers are often plagued by unreliability. Poor design and placement often lead to phones sliding out of position, especially during more dynamic driving, and seemingly random charging interruptions are commonplace.
The Taos’s charging pad, however, simply worked, consistently, without requiring precise phone placement. Despite my ingrained skepticism and expectation of failure, it maintained a stable charge without issue.
And consider this thoughtful detail:
Notice the small vent positioned directly above the charging pad? Upon closer inspection, it directs a stream of cool air onto the charging phone. While awaiting official confirmation from VW, it appears to be a dedicated cooling vent designed to prevent phone overheating during wireless charging in warmer conditions – a genuinely intelligent feature, addressing a common problem.
This exemplifies the Taos’s overall approach: it’s not groundbreaking or exceptional in any single area, but it executes the fundamentals exceptionally well. Take the cargo area, for instance:
While lacking elaborate organizational systems, the Taos offers a generously sized, rectangular cargo space. The 4MOTION (all-wheel drive) model provides approximately 25 cubic feet of space, while the front-wheel drive version offers 28 cubic feet. Folding the rear seats expands this to a substantial 60 (AWD) or 66 (FWD) cubic feet of capacity.
And, beneath the rear cargo floor:
A genuine spare tire! Increasingly rare in modern vehicles, its presence is a welcome reassurance.
In many respects, the Taos evokes the spirit of the classic Volkswagen Golf: a versatile, general-purpose vehicle. It comfortably accommodates passengers and cargo, provides reliable transportation, offers a degree of driving engagement, and avoids unnecessary complications. The Taos embodies this philosophy, albeit with the now-obligatory SUV styling cues, a nod to current market trends.
Interior Comfort and Design
Volkswagen has consistently demonstrated a knack for crafting pleasant interiors. This was, in fact, a contributing factor in my misguided purchase of a disappointing VW Tiguan. Despite its ownership tribulations, the Tiguan’s interior remained a pleasant space to occupy. The Taos upholds this tradition admirably. The cabin feels airy, featuring a tasteful blend of light and dark upholstery, and the optional panoramic sunroof further enhances the sense of spaciousness.
The sunroof includes a powered sunshade, although its necessity seems questionable unless one anticipates baboon-related rooftop incidents.
The material quality within the Taos surpasses expectations for an entry-level vehicle. Consider the door cards:
They exhibit a bold, dynamic design, incorporating comfortable armrests and generously sized storage pockets. The overall impression is far from cheap. Even more impressively, the stitching details are genuine, unlike the molded-in имитации found in some budget vehicles. A closer look reveals:
The seats are comfortable both in the front and rear, with the rear seats featuring a fold-down armrest with cupholders, a pass-through for longer items, and rear air vents and USB ports. It provides everything you need, and nothing you don’t – a perfectly balanced approach.
Driving Dynamics and Performance
The 2025 Taos model reportedly gains 19 horsepower over previous versions, resulting in a total output of 174 horsepower and 185 pound-feet of torque. This is ample power, particularly considering the Taos’s relatively light weight of around 3,400 pounds, which is light by modern standards. The 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-four engine delivers adequate acceleration (estimated 0-60 mph in around seven seconds). While the (new for the 4MOTION model) 8-speed automatic transmission’s shift logic occasionally felt slightly unusual, its performance was generally satisfactory to the point of being, well, unremarkable.
This unremarkability is intended as a compliment. The Taos’s performance capabilities fulfilled my needs without drama or fuss. It wasn’t the most exhilarating driving experience, but that’s perfectly acceptable, aligning with the car’s overall character: easygoing and undemanding. It’s a tool designed for transportation, requiring minimal driver input or thought.
Fuel efficiency was adequate but not exceptional. I averaged between 26 and 29 mpg in mixed driving conditions, which weren’t particularly focused on fuel conservation. Optimizing driving habits could likely yield better figures, just as more aggressive driving could certainly worsen them.
Final Verdict: A Sensible and Appealing Choice
The VW Taos isn’t a vehicle brimming with hidden surprises or gimmicks. Instead, it’s a well-rounded, user-friendly car that excels in everyday practicality. While the lower front grille might be considered somewhat oversized and stylistically questionable, the overall design is generally appealing, especially when opting for one of the bolder color choices.
Essentially, it’s a contemporary interpretation of a compact wagon, a desirable and practical vehicle type.
And the taillights deserve specific mention! We are currently experiencing a period of expressive taillight design, resulting in appealing elements like the illuminated VW logo:
…and, thankfully, the Taos utilizes amber rear turn signals:
It might sound unusual, but the most commendable aspect of the Taos is its lack of irritating flaws. Virtually every recent test vehicle has presented some frustrating detail – touch-operated climate controls, unreliable phone charging, awkward ingress/egress, or similar annoyances. The Taos avoided these pitfalls entirely.
It was comfortable, maneuverable, easy to park, offered ample space for passengers and cargo, and featured intuitive, user-friendly controls. In essence, the Taos minimized the “bullshit” factor to an impressive degree.
It may not ignite passions or inspire automotive poetry, but for the vast majority of drivers, that’s perfectly acceptable. Many simply require a reliable machine to transport themselves and their belongings efficiently and effortlessly. The Taos capably fulfills this role.
Long-term reliability and maintenance costs remain to be seen, as the Taos is still relatively new. However, based on this initial experience, if you’re seeking an affordable and practical vehicle that avoids unnecessary frustrations, the Taos warrants serious consideration.
Especially in green.
