2024 Volkswagen Taos - Re- Driven Review

A major political election is just around the corner generating all sorts of anxiety with the imminence of great change. Back in 2020, another election year, German automaker Volkswagen caused similar anxiety announcing the end for the Americans of the standard Golf, that apogee of compact sportbacks.

The Golf replacement for the U.S. market was named after a New Mexico hippie era mecca for rear air cooled engined VW's. The new in 2022 Volkswagen Taos compact crossover SUV leapfrogged the Golf in versatility. Niggling dual-clutch drivetrain issues, confined to some all-wheel drive models, and a less buttoned down reflexes stressed the brand's compact hatchback faithful.

VW has already announced a cosmetically refreshed 2025 model slated to swap in a new more conventional drivetrain. Nonetheless, Roadblazing.com editors were tasked with Re- Driving a top trim 2024 Volkswagen Taos SEL 4Motion to evaluate the packaging value of the current model.

2022 Volkswagen Taos SE 4Motion - Bottom Line Review

IT TAKES A PUEBLO VILLAGE: At the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains there is an early 2nd Millennium adobe dwelling community, which the Tiwa Puebloan indigenous Americans peoples call the place “Tao” or “toward the village at the red willow canyon mouth.” What was once an important place

RoadBlazingGeorge Straton

DIFFERENCES FROM LAST TESTED 2022 VW TAOS SE TRIM:

• 19" inch wheels
• ID Drive advanced driver assistance with Travel Assist semi-autonomy
• ID LED adaptive lighting, illuminated grille bar
• Perforated leather seating, heated & cooled 1st Row, heated steering wheel, contrast padded dash + Row 1 door card accents
• Discover MIB 3.0 8.0" touch & gesture media display + native navigation
• Digital Cockpit Pro 10.25" variable instrument cluster + navigation map projection
• BEATS 8-speaker premium audio
• Park distance control, traffic sign detection

CARRIED OVER, MOSTLY UNCHANGED:

• two row compact family SUV 5 occupant seating
• EA-211 TSI turbocharged 2.0L DI DOHC cycle petrol I-4 engine + 8-speed torque converter automatic transaxle
  • available PTU to viscous clutch 4Motion all-wheel drive w/ 7-speed automated dual clutch helical transaxle, Off-road drive mode
• Power ratings remain at 158 hp, 184 lb-ft. Observed combined driving fuel economy registers at 28 miles per gallon (3.6 gal. / 100 mi.). Highway range is 508 miles.
• Fully independent suspension + four wheel disc brakes, front vented.
• IIHS - Good marks, Small overlap front passenger side = AVERAGE
  • ID Drive advanced driver assistance w/ traffic jam assist
• 8.0" MIB 3.0 Composition voice command infotainment display, gesture control
• 8.0" Digital Cockpit instrument cluster
• Twin knob, 2-zone Climatronic control
• 4 (6-speaker available) streaming HD radio audio + Bluetooth hands-free communication
• wired (wireless available) App Connect, w/ Android Auto, Apple CarPlay projection
• CarNet logistics and Wi-Fi

BOTTOM LINE:

• $35,260 price, as tested SEL 4Motion in Pure Gray ( S front-drive from $25,420)
• 4 years / 50,000 miles bumper to bumper warranty; 2 years scheduled maintenance

LIKES ABOUT THE 2024 VOLKSWAGEN TAOS SEL 4MOTION:

• Cooled front seats & above average warranty in a volume entry model.
• Refined detail, streamlined square-back look
• Urban touring composure, and civilized on the motorway
• Deep finish outside, unexpected interior finish detail, webbed headliner, A-pillars
• Par for class fuel consumption
• Exemplary tall adult headroom
• Variable detailed display instrument cluster
• Variable color ambient night lighting
• Traditional knob & button automatic climate control, steering wheel spoke ADAS and instrument buttons
• BEATS audio exhibits pumps out the bass

NOT PREFERRED ABOUT THE 2024 VOLKSWAGEN TAOS SEL 4MOTION:

• Lacks Golf's grand touring tossability
• Retains old, slow 8.0" inch MIB 3.0 media UI
• Start stop idle & no hybrid electric option
• Dual clutch gearbox initially hesitates, then lurches
• Damping at times brittle, steering winding is static, and the brake pedal is pillowy
• Stiff seat cushions & leather surfaces lack suppleness
• Hard plastic dash top and 2nd Row door cards
• Instrument panel brightness accessible in infotainment display