Overview

The 2023 Volkswagen Taos rolls into its second model year.  And maybe it’s just us.  Because we’re paying close attention.  But it feels like the subcompact five-seat crossover SUV has been around longer.

Sporty and bold.  Classy and sophisticated.  Affordable and practical.  These are all accurate descriptions of VW’s smallest available SUV.

⇒ Check out Ontario VW Taos Inventory

Subcompact 5-seat crossover SUV

New For 2023 Volkswagen Taos

Taos comes in three trims and each one of them gets more content for 2023.  Coming standard across all trims is VW’s front assist, blind spot monitor, and rear traffic alert.  The S trim, the base model with 4Motion, gets 18-inch wheels.  While the SE trim receives driver assistance tech standard – VW’s IQ.Drive.  And the top trimmed SEL gets a standard panoramic sunroof added.

2023 Volkswagen Taos Trims And Pricing

We continue loving Volkswagen’s straightforward trims and pricing.  Sure you can still spec out your Taos how you like.  But Volkswagen has a habit of thoughtfully adding features to each trim level.  And in a logical fashion.

2023 VW Taos trims & starting MSRPs

• S $24,155
  
• SE $28,925
  
• SEL $34,535
  

Engines And Transmissions

Keeping it easy and straightforward.  Volkswagen plants the same power into each Taos.  And with similar transmissions.

It’s a 1.5-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine.  Putting out 158 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque.

For the transmissions, they’re both smoothing shifting automatics.  The front-wheel drive Taos gets an 8-speed automatic.  And the all-wheel-drive gets a 7-speed auto.

So that leaves you with the decision of FWD or AWD.  And in the case of Volkswagen, AWD is called 4Motion.

Fuel Economy Ratings

Taos delivers the expected and respectable fuel economy for an internal combustion engine subcompact crossover SUV.  With EPA ratings between 25 and 32 mpg.

MPG Rating

• FWD 28/31/36
  
• AWD 25/28/32
  

*City/combined/highway

The curb weight for the 2023 Volkswagen Taos depends on your configuration.  But it’s coming in between 3,181 and 3,437 lbs.

158 hp/184 lb-ft torque

2023 Volkswagen Taos – What’s It Look Like?

Taos looks unmistakably like a European crossover SUV.  And like the rest of the Volkswagen crossover sport-ute lineup, a quick glance can be deceiving.  Because that can and does leave you thinking Audi.  This is a nice compliment because that’s Volkswagen’s luxury sibling.  And always costs an easy 30% more across all comparisons – minimum.

With that said the 2023 Volkswagen Taos looks like a small Volkswagen crossover sport-ute.  Because, like almost every carmaker these days, the SUVs they’re making are small, medium, and large versions of one another.  And in some cases, both extra small and extra large too.

Exterior dimensions

• Wheelbase 105.9 to105.5
  
• Track:
  
  • front 61.8 to 61.9
    
  • rear 60.9 to 60.5
    
  
  
• Length 175.8
  
• Width 72.5
  
• Height 65.4 to 65.1
  
• Ground clearance 6.4 to 7.6
  

*All inches

Inside The 2023 Volkswagen Taos

Taos seats up to 5 passengers in its two rows of seating.  And inside Taos is where Volkswagen’s engineering is often most appreciated.  Because that’s when drivers and passengers are closest to it.  And for the longest periods of time.  So unlike gazing at the outside, we get to experience the inside to a much greater degree.

And VW’s fit and finish are remarkable.  Even in the subcompact Taos.  From the materials being used to the intersections of them, it’s reliably solid.

For example, even the inside of the center console of the Taos we test-drove had a smooth finish with quality materials.  And that is attention to detail we love.

Interior dimensions

• Headroom 40.7/39.8
  
• Shoulder room 56.5/55.2
  
• Legroom 40.1/37.9
  

*All inches front/rear

Cargo volume for the 2023 VW Taos comes in at a highly respectable 27.9 cubic feet with the backseats up.  And folding those backseats down delivers 65.9 cu ft.  Plenty of space for all your stuff in this subcompact crossover sport-ute.

SE trim interior – black leatherette & cloth

Infotainment And Connectivity

Leading Taos in its technology department is Volkswagen’s digital cockpit.  Replacing traditional in-dash analog instrumentation, it takes your driving experience to the next level.  And it’s standard across all three trims.  However Digital Cockpit Pro rolls only in the top-trim SEL version.  And that includes all the configuration capabilities plus a bump up from an 8-inch to a 10″ center stack display.

Wireless app connections are standard only on the top two trims – SE and SEL.  But well worth it in our opinion.  And if you’re an audiophile you might want to go with the SEL trim.  Because that gets you BeatsAudio premium sound with 8 speakers.  Whereas the SE and S trims are delivering 6 and 4 speakers respectively.

Up to 36 mpg

Safety And Driver-Assistance

Volkswagen is including and offering many driver assistance and safety features that are becoming the norm for carmakers.  Such as blind spot monitoring, parking distance control, light assist, and dynamic road sign display.  But also rear traffic alert, front assist, emergency and travel assistance, and more.

For the full reporting on Tao’s results in crash testing go to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website.  Also, refer to the  Insurance Institute for Highway Safety website.

Warranty And Maintenance Coverage

Volkswagen includes two years, or 20,000 miles, of scheduled maintenance with every Taos.  Additionally three years, or 36,000 miles, or roadside assistance.  Along with four years, or 50,000 miles, of its limited new vehicle warranty.

 

All the latest Volkswagen news HERE.