Volkswagen's smallest SUV is a big deal. The Taos packs plenty of modern tech and safety features into a tidy package. It also has excellent passenger and cargo space. The transmission makes lazy or awkward gear shifts at times, but that's pretty much the vehicle's only weakness. Overall it's one of the most well-rounded and family-friendly offerings in the class.
*Starting MSRP of $23,995 for a 2024 Volkswagen
Taos S 1.5L TSI® with 8-speed automatic
transmission. Price excludes transportation, taxes,
title, other options, and dealer charges. Dealer sets
actual price.
Chase Bierenkoven has been writing about cars in his head since he was a child. Now, he does it for real, covering automotive news and producing reviews for outlets like Edmunds, Forbes Wheels and CarBuzz. Chase's career as an automotive journalist began in 2020, and he has already written scores of road tests. Some favorites of Chase's include the Dodge Challenger 392, Mazda Miata, Kia EV6 and Bentley Bentayga. Outside his work with cars, Chase is often found justifying his latest broken German sports car to anyone that will listen or enjoying the outdoor spaces of his native Colorado.
Jonathan Elfalan has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. As a director of vehicle testing at Edmunds, Jonathan has tested and reviewed thousands of cars and written thousands of car-related articles over the course of his career. Jonathan got his start testing cars for Road & Track magazine as a newly minted mechanical engineer grad from University of California, Irvine, and has also contributed to Motor Trend and the Associated Press. He likes to say he learned to drive a manual transmission in a rear-wheel-drive mid-engine vehicle but often omits it was his family's 1991 Toyota Previa minivan.
Pros
Sharp handling and smooth driving character
Comfortable interior that's easy to get in and out of
Big cargo area for a little SUV
Most trims come standard with many helpful technology features
Cons
Transmission can be frustratingly slow to downshift
Noticeable road and engine noise at highway speeds
What's new
More advanced driver assist features are now standard equipment
Other minor revisions to standard feature availability
Part of the first Taos generation introduced for 2022
Overview
Coming off a debut a couple of years ago, the 2024 Volkswagen Taos is the brand's smallest and least expensive SUV. Think of it as the little brother to the Volkswagen Tiguan. But even though it's small, the Taos still has a roomy interior and many technology and driver assist features that come standard on most Taos trim levels. The Taos is also one of the quicker models in its class thanks to its 158-horsepower turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2024 Volkswagen Taos S 4dr SUV (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
This little Volkswagen SUV isn't so little on the inside. With 27.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats alone, the Taos is one of the roomiest models in its class. If you're standing at the rear hatch and in need of more space, the release levers on the seats are just within reach. The Taos' rear seats also have a 60/40 split, folding mostly flat. Parents of small children will also appreciate well-positioned top anchors and ease of fitting a car seat, making the Taos one of the most family-friendly options in the class.
Competitors to consider
There are plenty of alternatives should the Taos not be your preferred SUV. Mazda's CX-30 has an upscale cabin and even quicker acceleration than the Taos if you opt for its available turbocharged engine. You might also want to check out the Chevy Trax or Kia Seltos if value is a priority. The Honda HR-V and Toyota Corolla Cross are two other popular picks in this class. Read our test team's Expert Rating below to learn even more about the Taos' qualities.
Edmunds Expert Rating
Our VerdictThe Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.
Great
8.1
out of 10
edmunds TESTED
Volkswagen's smallest SUV is a big deal. The Taos packs plenty of modern tech and safety features into a tidy package. It also has excellent passenger and cargo space. The transmission makes lazy or awkward gear shifts at times, but that's pretty much the vehicle's only weakness. Overall it's one of the most well-rounded and family-friendly offerings in the class.
How does the Taos drive? We were surprised to find the Taos, one of the larger SUVs in this diminutive class, is also one of the quickest. Credit goes to a fairly high-strung turbocharged four-cylinder engine that whooshes and hisses its way to 60 mph in a respectable 7.8 seconds. That speed, however, is only really achievable if you use the Taos' launch control, which we imagine few owners will. Launch control is a feature typically reserved for sports cars, so naturally it's a bit out of place here. We were equally surprised by how stable and confident the Taos felt under hard panic braking, yet it cruises easily to a smooth stop in less hectic situations.
The Taos handles around corners quite impressively as well, with well-controlled body roll and accurate steering. In fact, the Taos scores high marks in every driving aspect except what's possibly the most important for this class: drivability. The combination of that high-strung engine and moderately unresponsive seven-speed transmission makes for a jerky affair. Power surges and gear shifts can often feel delayed or clunky, making it difficult to enjoy driving at slow stop-and-go speeds.
Comfort
8.0/10
How comfortable is the Taos? When it comes to cabin comfort, the Taos does it pretty well. The front seats have a sporty shape and offer surprisingly good support despite not having all the range of adjustments we would've liked. The climate control is easy to use and effective at distributing air flow to the entire cabin. We especially love the powerful ventilated front seats, which worked wonders on some warmer days.
The Taos suspension leans a little firm and doesn't isolate bumps in the road as well as some other cars we tested, but it's also not so harsh that we'd have second thoughts recommending it for that reason. We also experienced a fair amount of ambient noise, which isn't uncommon for this class.
Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below
Save as much as $3,124 with Edmunds Click on the model you’re interested in to see what Edmunds suggests you should pay to get a good deal.
*Starting MSRP of $23,995 for a 2024 Volkswagen
Taos S 1.5L TSI® with 8-speed automatic
transmission. Price excludes transportation, taxes,
title, other options, and dealer charges. Dealer sets
actual price.
How’s the interior? The interior is one of the best in the class, from the ease in which you can step in and out of the large door openings to the generous passenger space. The Taos almost feels like a class size up compared to its competition. Outward visibility is excellent thanks to square windows and good mirror coverage, and we had no issue reaching any of the controls from the driver's seat.
Some of Volkswagen's newest infotainment systems have been flops. Thankfully the Taos keeps things a bit simpler, limiting the touch-sensitive buttons. This approach makes a huge difference in usability. Touch controls can be great when they work, but most can't compare to good ole physical buttons and knobs when you want to minimize distraction.
Technology
8.5/10
How’s the tech? Thankfully, some of the latest VW touch-sensitive controls did not make it to the Taos. What did make it is a punchy Beats sound system that delivers more bass than what we found comfortable for daily use (in a good way). Our higher trim model also had an onboard nav system that was a tad laggy but had a nice user interface. We really like that you can display the map in the center of the driver's gauge cluster as well.
Our vehicle had a total of three USB-C ports to plug devices in, plus a wireless charger and a 12-volt outlet. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration via USB is standard and steps up to wireless connectivity on the midtier SE model and above. Most of the Taos' advanced driver aids work well, though in our testing we found that the adaptive cruise control system got tripped up at lower speeds by the clunky-shifting transmission.
Storage
8.5/10
How’s the storage? The shape and size of the Taos mean it's able to maximize interior space. With 27.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, the Taos is class-leading. The rear seats have a center pass-through and the usual 60/40 split, and they fold down mostly flat, leaving about a 2-inch level change from the cargo floor. The release levers are on the seats but are close enough to reach if you're standing at the rear hatch.
Storage options in the passenger section of the cabin are pretty good. The front door pockets are generously sized, cupholders have an anti-tip design to keep your drinks upright, and the squarish cubby under the center armrest has some depth to it to make up for its shorter length.
Because the Taos is on the larger side of the segment, there's more space for car seats. But it's the small touches we noticed too, including sleeker-looking car seat anchor covers and well-positioned top tether anchors for easy access. This is definitely one of the more family-friendly options in the class.
Fuel Economy
7.5/10
How’s the fuel economy? The Taos equipped with all-wheel drive gets an EPA-estimated 28 mpg combined (25 city/32 highway), essentially matching its biggest competitors. We averaged 29.6 mpg on our 115-mile evaluation loop, which is a great result and proof that the estimate is achievable. Our only concern is that if you're prone to asking for a lot of acceleration, fuel efficiency won't be nearly as good with such a high-strung engine.
Value
7.5/10
Is the Taos a good value? Value is ultimately in the eye of the beholder, but as far as we're concerned, the Taos seems fairly priced for what you get. Its entry-level price is quite competitive, but there are a lot of attractive features we'd want in the upper trim levels. Our top-trim SEL test car came in at just under $35K, which is definitely on the pricier end of this SUV class, but it also provides one of the most well-rounded packages. If you look closely, you'll definitely find some cheap-feeling aspects to the Taos interior, but Volkswagen spent money in the areas that are touched more frequently.
VW's warranties are typical for this segment, with four years/50,000 miles of bumper-to-bumper and powertrain coverage and seven years/100,000 miles of rust-through coverage. On the plus side, VW offers free scheduled maintenance for two years/20,000 miles and roadside assistance for three years/36,000 miles.
Wildcard
8.0/10
When it came to styling the Taos, VW didn't bother reinventing the wheel. It looks very much like a scaled-down Atlas, which is to say clean and kind of rugged. There are bolder designs out there that some may find more attractive, but we bet the Taos' looks will be more appealing to the masses.
The same holds true for the driving experience. Some SUVs in this class are more fun to drive on curvy roads and less finicky at slower speeds, but the Taos offers a decent experience overall. And you simply can't argue with the interior accommodations. In a segment in which passenger and cargo space is in short supply, the Taos seems to have an abundance.
Which Taos does Edmunds recommend?
We think the midgrade SE trim offers the most value. You get all the driver aids from the S trim's IQ.Drive package as standard, plus useful extras such as hands-free keyless entry, heated front seats, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Volkswagen Taos models
Volkswagen offers the 2024 Taos in S, SE and SEL trim levels, and each uses a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine (158 horsepower, 184 lb-ft of torque). Versions with front-wheel drive feature an eight-speed automatic transmission. The all-wheel-drive Taos employs a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic as well as a more sophisticated rear suspension for more refined handling around turns. Keep reading for our rundown of the Taos' most significant features broken down by trim level.
S
Standard equipment for the most affordable Taos S includes:
17-inch alloy wheels
LED headlights
Roof rails
60/40-split folding back seat
Digital instrumentation display
6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration
Connected services including onboard Wi-Fi
Four-speaker stereo
Heated steering wheel
For 2024, all Taos trims come standard with the IQ.Drive package. It contains:
Active blind-spot monitor (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot and can add steering assistance to discourage a lane change)
Lane keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane)
Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go (maintains a driver-set distance between the Taos and the car in front, can bring the Volkswagen to a full stop and resume travel)
Emergency assistance (identifies an unresponsive driver and brings the Taos to a safe stop with the hazard lights flashing)
Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning (alerts you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse)
Forward collision warning with automatic braking (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
SE
The Taos SE includes adds or replaces S equipment with:
18-inch alloy wheels
Tinted rear windows
Heated side mirrors
Hands-free keyless entry and push-button start
Remote engine start
Synthetic leather seat trim with cloth inserts
Power-adjustable driver's seat
Heated front seats
8-inch touchscreen infotainment system
Wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Second-row USB ports
Six-speaker stereo
Wireless smartphone charging
8-inch digital instrument display
Dual-zone automatic climate control
SEL
Stepping up to the top-trim Taos SEL adds the following equipment:
Standard all-wheel drive
19-inch alloy wheels
Illuminated grille bar
Adaptive headlights (swivel as you turn the steering wheel for better illumination in curves)
2023 Volkswagen Taos SE 4dr SUV AWD (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)
I purchased my new 2023 Taos on Christmas eve. Drove it off the lot with 10 miles on it. 1 week later within the first 5 miles of my morning drive the dash lit up like a Christmas tree, it slowed its self down and I had to call a tow truck.
VW was refusing to give me a loaner car in the meantime until I made a few phone calls.
They said they have to replace the fuel pump.
Jetta SUV
5 out of 5 stars
GED, 04/02/2023
2023 Volkswagen Taos S 4dr SUV (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 8A)
As satisfied Jetta owners over the years we weren't all that surprised with our Taos since it's an SUV built around a Jetta engine. We get the same great 40+ mpg on the highway with decent acceleration and handling for its class. We just got back from a 2500 mile road trip grateful for the comfort it provided both driver and passenger! Road view is excellent with minimal blind spots. … Even the basic sound system is a cut above what we expected for this price point. Cockpit noise is a little on the louder side, but we just turned up the music. Another plus for our road trip was the ample storage space in this vehicle. Simply amazing! After years of satisfied Jetta ownership, we look forward to the same with the Taos.
I love my baby Atlas!
5 out of 5 stars
Scott A, 11/22/2022
2023 Volkswagen Taos SE 4dr SUV AWD (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)
I think the Edmunds reviewer did a great job describing what the Taos is. I love the handling, space, tech, fuel economy and looks. I have the AWD version and have averaged 29 mpg to date. The transmission is lazy with a bias for fuel economy, but I'm used to the DSG from my Golf GTI, so I know how to take over and get the most out of the engine. I just really love the car and am … happy with the purchase. I'm not an SUV person, and this car is great.
Worst car I've ever owned
1 out of 5 stars
BMO, 10/21/2023
2023 Volkswagen Taos SE 4dr SUV (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 8A)
I had a VW that I was happy with so I decided to go with the '23 Taos SE. Everything about this car really sucks. These are my thoughts I have on this car in the year I owned it before trading it in.
First off, the electrical system in my Taos was very bad. Almost a third of the time I would try to roll my driver window up, and it would go down instead, or I would try to roll it down … more and nothing would happen. So many times it would roll down when I would try to roll it up, and I did the reset and so did the dealership, which did nothing. When you press the horn, there is this slight delay before you hear anything, like an electronic delay, same when you let go of the brakes, it takes a split second before the brake lights turn off.
Now with the way it drives. You hit the acceleration and you get a solid one second lag before the car even responds. My brakes had to be replaced during my 10k oil change because of how bad they were grinding. Something I really hated about this car was how the car lurches and jerks forward when you press the gas, even when you drive with a light foot. It was the absolute worst in the rain (there is one month of rain total where I live so I opted for FWD), and any time I would accelerate from a stop, my tires would skid and feel as if I was hydroplaning and my traction control lights would come on.
There were few other reasons I had in addition to these major faults for trading in my car but it wasn't until I got a different car that I realized just how poorly made the Taos is. Worst quality car like the entire car was built as an afterthought that VW had. It's an attractive car but it wasn't ready and clearly rushed to market or they just didn't care about the quality of this one.
I traded it in at 17k miles but at 16k miles my remote start stopped working and shortly after the check engine light came on and it was something with the EVAP system with the external air intake being stuck, I wish I could remember what it was exactly, but nonetheless I don't expect repairs like this in the first 20k miles at least.
A lot about the car just felt so cheap, not just the parts inside the car but the engine, the way it sounded, the way it felt, the shuddering at low speeds in stop and go traffic, the jerkiness and sluggish performance. The tech is underwhelming and the driver assistance is terrible, like they used the cheapest and worst sensors that weren't good enough for the Tiguan on this Taos. In the morning when I would start my Taos and drive, there would be a sound of a squeaky wheel, not sure what this sound was but it's a cheap sound you don't expect your brand new German-made car to make. Everything about this car I really wanted to love and it just fell so short.
And these tires love to screech at corners and when you take off from a stop. It's like the car is too light to handle the torque but then the HP and torque itself are quite weak so the car as a whole is just a really big bummer.
I guess this could be a nice car for a brand new driver but only if you don't care about reliability or safety. The only thing I enjoyed about this car was the way it handled in dry weather on a paved road, but what's the point when it fails in the rain and is not a car you can count on.
I hope their next generation of this car they can get right but I went with another SUV and am so glad I did. I don't think I'll get another VW moving forward. Not sure what's going on but it seems like quality or reliability is not something they care about.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2024 Volkswagen Taos, so we've included reviews for other years of the Taos since its last redesign.
These Are the Best SUVs of 2022-2023 | 2022-2023 Top SUVs | The SUVs We'd Buy in Each Class
NOTE: This video is about the 2022 Volkswagen Taos, but since the 2024 Volkswagen Taos is part of the same generation, our earlier analysis still applies.
In the market for a brand-new SUV? Whether you're looking for small and affordable or large and in charge, Edmunds has you covered with our list of best-in-class SUVs for the 2022-2023 model year. From Honda to Mercedes to Volkswagen, our comprehensive list encompasses everything from… budget and economy 2-row SUVs to luxury 3-row SUVs on sale today up to $100,000.
The Mazda CX-30 may be small, but it's anything but entry-level. As Mazda has done with other models in its lineup, it gave the CX-30 an upscale interior that looks and feels like it belongs in a higher class of vehicle. Also like other Mazdas, the CX-30 is nimble and fun to drive. However, it's not as spacious as the Taos and it's priced slightly higher.
The Taos is our favorite extra-small SUV, but the Chevy Trailblazer is a close second. Like the Taos, the Trailblazer is a sharp-looking little sport-ute with a surprisingly roomy cabin. The Trailblazer offers two engine options, and both may leave you wanting for power. Even the upgraded turbocharged 1.3-liter is sluggish, taking 9.4 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in our testing. But in just about every other area, the Trailblazer is a solid choice.
With its lower starting price, the Kia Seltos is positioned as a value player in its segment. For the amount you'd pay for a base Taos, you could get into a Seltos S model with all-wheel drive and a few other features that cost extra on the VW. The Seltos also has better warranty coverage, with a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty and five-year/60,000-mile basic warranty. The Taos, however, is quicker and gets better fuel economy.
The Volkswagen Taos is the smallest SUV in VW's lineup, slotting in below the Tiguan, which measures about 10 inches longer. The Taos has only been on sale in the U.S. since 2022, but in that time it's become our favorite in the subcompact SUV class. We don't expect any big changes for 2024, but images of the nearly identical Volkswagen Tharu, which is sold in China, suggest we may get restyled headlights and taillights.
Even without those changes, it's a fair bet that the Taos will remain at or near the top of our rankings. Alternatives such as the Chevrolet Trailblazer, Mazda CX-30 and Buick Encore GX all have their own advantages, but the Taos edges them out with its overall excellence. The Volkswagen Taos does everything you'd expect of a subcompact SUV and manages to stand out with its sporty handling, comfort, large cargo capacity and easy-to-use infotainment. The few complaints we have are common in the class and include noticeable interior noise and a transmission that's slow to react.
Edmunds says
At the moment, you really can't do much better in a subcompact SUV than the Volkswagen Taos and we don't expect that to change substantially for 2024.
FAQ
Is the Volkswagen Taos a good car?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2024 Taos both on the road and at the track, giving it a 8.1 out of 10. Edmunds’ consumer reviews show that the 2024 Taos gets an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 (based on 32 reviews) What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that carrying capacity for the Taos ranges from 24.9 to 27.9 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Volkswagen Taos. Learn more
What's new in the 2024 Volkswagen Taos?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2024 Volkswagen Taos:
More advanced driver assist features are now standard equipment
Other minor revisions to standard feature availability
Part of the first Taos generation introduced for 2022
To determine whether the Volkswagen Taos is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the Taos. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the Taos's 4-star average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2024 Volkswagen Taos a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2024 Volkswagen Taos is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2024 Taos and gave it a 8.1 out of 10. Our consumer reviews show that the 2024 Taos gets an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 (based on 32 reviews). Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2024 Taos is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2024 Volkswagen Taos?
The least-expensive 2024 Volkswagen Taos is the 2024 Volkswagen Taos S 4dr SUV (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 8A). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $23,995.
Other versions include:
S 4dr SUV (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $23,995
S 4dr SUV AWD (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 7AM) which starts at $26,335
SE 4dr SUV (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $28,165
SE 4dr SUV AWD (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 7AM) which starts at $29,615
SEL 4dr SUV AWD (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 7AM) which starts at $33,515
If you're interested in the Volkswagen Taos, the next question is, which Taos model is right for you? Taos variants include S 4dr SUV (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 8A), S 4dr SUV AWD (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 7AM), SE 4dr SUV (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 8A), and SE 4dr SUV AWD (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 7AM). For a full list of Taos models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more