The all-new 2022 Volkswagen Taos is a hard vehicle to explain. It’s a compact SUV, but it’s not a replacement for VW’s other compact SUV (the Tiguan). In fact, our reviewers found the two a bit hard to tell apart. The Taos is a bit smaller than the Tiguan but not small enough to qualify as subcompact. Volkswagen says the Taos is a replacement for the outgoing VW Golf hatchback, but it plays ball in the SUV classes, thanks to its high stance and styling.
It now has a price tag, which helps a little. The Taos is one of the least expensive options in the crowded compact SUV segment — as long as you don’t check too many option boxes.
The base SE model starts at $22,995 — a good deal less expensive than the segment-leading Toyota RAV4 (MSRP starting at $26,150). But just a touch more than a Jeep Renegade (MSRP starting at $22,830). It carries the same price tag as the Golf it replaces.
For that price, you’ll get 17-inch wheels, a 6.5-inch touchscreen entertainment system with only four speakers, and Bluetooth connectivity, but not much else. Adding all-wheel-drive also nets you heated seats.
Volkswagen asks more than $33,000 for a fully-equipped Taos — far less than the top-of-the-line Tiguan’s near-$40,000 price tag. At that level, the Taos carries 18-inch wheels, a full suite of driver safety aids, an 8-inch screen, leather seating surfaces with heating and ventilation, a BeatsAudio 8-speaker sound system, and dual-zone climate control.
All told, the Taos is one of the more affordable options in the compact SUV segment but one of the smallest. Whether VW can attract enough buyers to continue offering two vehicles in one of the most crowded categories in the automotive world remains to be seen. But the price of the Taos won’t be a hurdle to its success.
2022 Volkswagen Taos Pricing:
- S front-whee-drive (FWD): $22,995
- S 4Motion all-wheel-drive(AWD): $25,040
- SE FWD: $27,245
- SE 4Motion AWD: $28,695
- SEL FWD: $31,490
- SEL 4Motion AWD: $33,045
Prices exclude $1,195 destination fee.
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