CHELSEA, Mich. — When the brand new 2022 Volkswagen Taos begins arriving at U.S. dealerships subsequent month, most shoppers could have a tough time differentiating it from the model’s top-selling Tiguan — and that is by design.
However whereas the styling could also be comparable between these two segment-sharing compact crossovers, the model’s technique to separate them by options and value will give VW is first actual entry-level car within the rising and crowded phase.
Smaller, cheaper and with higher gasoline economic system, the Taos provides VW a car with which to tackle the Jeep Compass and comparable automobiles to which the bigger, costlier Tiguan practically at all times got here up quick.
“Taos fills a really particular hole in our portfolio. VW sellers have been clear and constant: We had been lacking this chance,” stated Scott Keogh, CEO of Volkswagen of America. Taos, he stated, “is little, however little question, fierce.”
With the introductions of the Taos subsequent month and the ID4 EV final March, VW’s lineup now has 5 crossovers to supply American shoppers — in contrast with 2017, when it had simply the Tiguan and the high-priced Touareg.
The outcomes are telling. Crossovers at the moment are about 64 p.c of the model’s gross sales, and Keogh stated it will take the earnings from “8 or 9 Passat” sedans to equal what the model makes on simply one among its Atlas three-row crossovers.
“We have lastly chosen to fulfill the American market and provides shoppers what they’re in search of,” Keogh stated.
The Taos, which might be inbuilt Puebla, Mexico, is predicated on the identical MQB modular world structure because the Tiguan, and it’ll share quite a lot of elements.
At 9.3 inches shorter than the long-wheelbase Tiguan offered within the U.S., the Taos is 175.8 inches lengthy, 72.5 inches large and 64.4 inches tall, using on a 105.9-inch wheelbase. It comes commonplace with LED projector headlights, a completely digital instrument cluster and a 6.5-inch infotainment contact display. An non-obligatory 8-inch contact display runs Volkswagen’s most superior infotainment system. With the second-row seats up, the Taos has 28.1 cubic ft of cargo room. When the again seats are lowered, cargo room expands to 66.3 cubic ft.
The Taos, not like the refreshed Tiguan that VW will convey to dealerships within the fall, would not have an non-obligatory energy rear hatch, nor does it have the refreshed Tiguan’s upscale haptic steering wheel buttons or capacitive contact local weather controls.
What it does have is healthier fuel mileage and a value level — the Taos will begin at $24,190 together with supply — anticipated to be no less than $2,500 cheaper in comparison with the 2022 Tiguan. Keogh stated VW would supply an entry lease value of $199 monthly on the Taos.
The 2022 Taos is powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-four engine — the identical as within the Jetta sedan — that produces 158 hp and 184 pound-feet of torque, mated to an eight-speed automated transmission in front-wheel-drive variations or a seven-speed automated when outfitted with obtainable all-wheel drive.
Base variations of the Taos will come commonplace with 17-inch wheels, whereas increased trims might be outfitted with both 18- or 19-inch wheels.
Taos “is a basic VW for a brand new period,” Keogh informed reporters this month. “It is sensible, with stunning tech options.”