You need to check out the refreshed 2022 Volkswagen Taos. This small SUV got massive upgrades. I’ve been putting the new Volkswagen Taos through various tests, and it’s been pretty impressive all around. 

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos has mighty upgrades 

After driving the Volkswagen Atlas and Tiguan this summer, I have a favorite VW SUV. It’s the 2022 Volkswagen Taos SEL. The base model has an MSRP of $22,995, and the SEL increases the price to about $30,000. 

The SEL is the highest trim level and includes extra goodies like Beats Premium Audio, leather seating and upholstery, an illuminated grille, 18-inch Black Alloy wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit Pro, and other convenience features. 

How is driving the 2022 VW Taos? 

Currently, all other vehicles are competing with my 2016 Jeep Renegade, and the 2022 Volkswagen Taos is a worthy competitor. It has a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 158 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. 

I expected the Taos to be weak, but I was wrong. According to Edmunds, it can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 7.8 seconds. This is plenty of power for passing others and merging into traffic. 

The Taos has a smooth acceleration with very responsive handling. It feels composed around curves with almost no body roll. The body roll in the Jeep Renegade is one of my most significant issues. Plus, the VW Taos is agile. The turning radius makes it easy to park and navigate through tight city areas. 

But I didn’t have a model with the 4MOTION all-wheel drive system. The suspension didn’t feel as composed when going over gravel roads, and there was noticeable rattling in the cabin. The ride is incredibly smooth on pavement, though, and road noise is only noticeable at higher speeds. 

How comfortable is the 2022 Taos? 

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos has a spacious and comfortable interior. The leather seats provide plenty of cushion for longer trips, and the soft-touch surfaces provide an upscale feeling. There is plenty of space for adults in the front and rear. 

The center console seems a little small, but there are plenty of storage trays and cubbies. Also, it’s larger than expected. It provides class-leading cargo space with 27.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seat and up to 65.9 cubes total. 

If you have some time to kill, the panoramic sunroof and Beats Audio system create a relaxing environment. You can lean back and look up at the sky out of the massive glass window. You can get lost in your favorite music. 

Other SUVs for around $30,000 have features like power liftgates and head-up displays. But the Taos makes up for lacking these items in other ways. For example, it comes with wireless Apple CarPlay and a wireless phone charger. You can put your phone on the charging pad and just go! 

The VW Digital Cockpit Pro allows drivers to display custom information on the digital display cluster. You can select the speed route guidance, assistance systems, navigation, and elevation. It’s one of the neatest digital display clusters I’ve used so far. 

Safety features include blind-spot monitoring, rear traffic alert, dynamic road sign display, park distance control with maneuver braking, and light assist. They work efficiently, but the Taos will give you a few loud beeps from time to time that is a little jarring. 

So far, the 2022 VW Taos feels like a luxurious bargain, but the features are a little mismatched. It has plenty of good surprises for a spacious and comfortable ride. I’ll keep you updated as I learn more.