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VW didn’t just dip a toe into the small SUV pool, it went in all the way with the new-for-2022 VW Taos. The Taos slots in as one of the more grown up and luxurious offerings in the extra-small SUV class, and with that it comes with a slightly higher price tag than some of its rivals. But don’t underestimate the Volkswagen, it’s packed with the good stuff, and this year at Edmunds it’s coming out on top.

What is new in the Taos for 2023?

2023 VW Taos in blue on a forest highway
2023 VW Taos | Volkswagen

The Taos was an all-new SUV for VW in 2022, so it already has some up-to-date tech and styling. However, for 2023, VW added some driver assistance features, like a blind spot monitor, and the S version gets fancy 18-inch wheels. The mid-level SEL trim’s sunroof is now standard.

The Taos has good Interior space

2023 VW Taos with seats folded inside
2023 VW Taos | VW

The compact SUV category has a lot of players, and they all have similar interior space. But, the Taos makes better use of it than the others with seats that fold nearly flat and a low lift-over height in back. It can hold up to 66 square feet of goodies in back, and it has a useful 28 cubic feet of space when the seats are up. Edmunds said that the Taos is “one of the most well-rounded and family-friendly offerings in the class.” Overall, it earned a “great” rating from Edmunds.

It has a powerful engine

2023 Taos in blue parked on dirt
2023 VW Taos | VW

Let’s say that power is relative. The Taos has a powerful engine for this class. The Taos’ 158-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder doesn’t sound like it’s a barn burner, and it’s not. But, compared to other SUVs in the class, it’s not bad. The all-new Chevy Trailblazer, for example, makes do with a 137-horsepower three-cylinder engine.

The VW Taos handles well

The Taos, Edmunds said, earned high marks for its impressive corning ability. Sure, it’s no Corvette, but it can handle corners well and narrow streets fine. It did get dinged for its clunky transmission that’s sometimes slow to respond. That transmission tuning robs some of the fun.

It’s stylish, to our eyes

2023 VW Taos interior
2023 VW Taos interior | VW

The Taos, to our eyes, looks good. It has a sort of baby Atlas look to it that makes it look purposeful. Its two-box look is classic SUV. That also means that it won’t look outdated anytime soon compared to its rivals (we’re looking at you, Chevy and Kia) that trade on trends for style points.

It’s inexpensive

The Taos starts at about $25,000 and comes with a lot of features that most of us want. The SE version, at about $30,000, comes with the extras we like, such as heated seats and wireless charging. All-wheel drive adds $1,450 to the price.

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Writer - Sedans & Coupes

Dan Mayfield

Dan joined MotorBiscuit in 2022 with over 20 years of experience in journalism and a lifelong passion for anything related to the automotive industry. He grew up wrenching a 1949 Ford pickup truck and an MGB with his dad, learning how not to wire a fuel pump (he inadvertently set the MGB on fire).

After earning a bachelor’s degree in photojournalism from the University of New Mexico, Dan has contributed his expertise to a range of local outlets, including the City of Albuquerque, US Eagle, and the Alliance for Local Economic Prosperity.

On weekends, Dan spends Saturdays enjoying “cars and coffee” chats and, on Sundays, he’s watching the Route 66 Cruise roll through town. He also races motorcycles, and it’s not unusual to find him elbows-deep in his latest cafe racer build.

Taking advantage of the local desert terrain, Dan also enjoys exploring and driving off-road in his trusty Ram Rebel pickup truck, which provides personal insights into his contributions to our Trucks, SUVs, & Crossovers coverage. Dan strives to give our readers unique information about the dynamic automotive market, reading anything that has to do with cars, trucks, bikes, 4X4s, and, in his words, “everything with a motor.”

Dan has earned a number of accolades from the Public Relations Society of America, and is a University of Southern California, Annenberg School of Communication and Journalism Fellow.