The Volkswagen Taos is a relatively new addition to the automaker’s lineup, having first gone on sale for the 2022 model year. It’s VW’s entry in the exceptionally competitive subcompact SUV space, bringing solid fuel economy and good interior space.
2024 Volkswagen Taos Pricing, Specs, and Release Date
- What’s New for the 2024 Volkswagen Taos
- Design
- Powertrain
- Interior
- Technology
- Safety
- Pricing and Release Date
- Further Research
What’s New for the 2024 Volkswagen Taos
Volkswagen gave the Taos more standard features for the 2024 model year, and made the IQ.Drive safety features standard for all variants.
Design
The Taos mirrors its larger and more expensive VW SUV counterparts with clean lines and a prominent grille. It features tasteful use of chrome accents, and Volkswagen offers a range of color and wheel options. The rear design is simple, with only a VW logo and the Taos name spelled out across the rear liftgate.
Powertrain
The Taos gets the same engine that comes in the standard Jetta sedan. It’s a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder making 158 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission comes standard, but some variants get a seven-speed dual-clutch unit. Front-wheel drive (FWD) comes standard, and all-wheel drive (AWD) is available.
The modest on-paper power specs translate to a somewhat sedate driving experience, and the available dual-clutch transmission isn’t the smoothest in everyday operation. That said, the Taos’s suspension helps it maintain a decent ride quality in most situations, and it can hold its own in the corners. The ride can be rough over broken pavement, but the handling and driving engagement will more than make up for that with many buyers.
Interior
The five-seat Taos comes with cloth upholstery, but more expensive configurations add synthetic or genuine leather. Heated and ventilated front seats are available, along with power-adjustable front seats. The cabin features a mix of materials quality, however, with some upscale touches and plenty of low-rent plastics.
The Taos offers good space in the front seats, but the back feels cramped for adults. Even so, the Taos’s cargo hold offers 27.9 cubic feet of storage with the back seats upright and 65.9 cubic feet with the seats folded flat.
Technology
A 6.5-inch touchscreen and 7-inch digital gauge cluster are standard. More expensive models get an 8-inch touchscreen and a 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster running VW’s excellent Digital Cockpit system. The interface offers configurable map views, detailed vehicle information, and other data in an easy-to-read format. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, along with Bluetooth, a Wi-Fi hotspot, SiriusXM radio, and more.
Safety
VW’s IQ.Drive safety tech was previously optional, but all 2024 Taos models get this suite of features as standard equipment. IQ.Drive includes adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, parking sensors, automatic emergency braking, and more. Road sign detection and pedestrian detection are available. The Taos did not earn a Top Safety Pick award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for 2024.
Pricing and Release Date
As of this writing, the base 2024 Volkswagen Taos S starts at $25,420, which includes a $1,425 destination charge. The range-topping SEL model starts at $34,940.