2022 Volkswagen Taos

Today, I have a really highly requested tour on deck! The 2022 Volkswagen Taos is a vehicle I was really excited to walk through since I love the VW Atlas and Tiguan so much. The Taos is the most compact of the three and is great for smaller families or teen drivers, but is it Car Mom approved?

By the end of this post, you’ll understand all the features the 2022 Volkswagen Taos has to offer and see how it ranks against other 2 row SUVs on the market.

Before you dive in and start car shopping, make sure you’re fully prepared to tackle today’s market with confidence. To learn everything from dealership prep to a complete negotiations strategy, check out my Car Buying Course!

2022 Volkswagon Taos Exterior

First of all, I toured the cornflower blue… and it is, like, BLUE. But also, it’s cute and sporty, so I don’t know, I think I like it. It has some great chrome features and I love the big VW logo on the front. Beyond that, though, it does feel like there is a lot going on in the front. So kind of from the grill down, I can’t say I’m loving it. I’m also not obsessed with the wheels—they look a little cheap, tbh. Otherwise, though, I think the body is pretty stylish. Honestly, I’d love to hear what you guys think about the exterior! 

Trim Levels

You have three options—S, SE, or SEL. I was tempted to go to the SEL, but I wanted to make the SE work (the S doesn’t come with all of the standard safety features, so that one was out for me). So, I chose the SE and then added the IQ Drive Package and SE Convenience package to get: adaptive cruise control, high beam control (light assist), leather wrapped/heated steering wheel, rain-sensing wipers, and travel, lane, and emergency assists.

I also could’ve added the panoramic sunroof for $1200 but that didn’t seem worth it. And, honestly, none of the other add-ons did either. So, all that brought my MSRP to $29,335 and I’m pretty happy with that price for this vehicle. 

2022 Volkswagen Taos First Row Details

I’m really excited about the interior. Volkswagen likes to go simple, which I actually really appreciate. Their minimalistic vibes make it really easy to clean and spares you from a fingerprint city situation. The side cubbies are HUGE—so exciting. 

The steering wheel is heated and has all of the controls you’d expect, like volume, voice controls, bluetooth and cruise control. Beneath the main display is a USB-C (Volkswagen doesn’t do regular USBs) and a 12 volt. Plus, it does have a wireless charger. The seats are awesome (and are heated/ventilated at this trim level). I love the contrast of color, and they’re sport style, which feels like I’m getting a hug. 

The cup holders aren’t horrible, but they’re not the best—small car, small cup holders, ya know. And the center console is super tiny and disappointing. Like, I can’t even lay my iPhone 11 flat in it. Overall? It’s pretty small, but I like it. 

Infotainment Center

The display is completely digital and super user friendly, which is part of why I also love this car for teens (in addition to all of VW’s great crash prevention and other safety features). It’s, of course, compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so no worries there. 

My favorite part of all is having the AC controls out of the screen. This is my personal biggest gripe with current infotainment systems because it can be really difficult to adjust while driving. Really great touch.

Is it anything super different from the infotainment systems I see all the time? No. Is it a great solid set up that you’ll enjoy using? Absolutely.

2022 Volkswagen Taos Second Row Details

Okay, Volkswagen, I see you! This second row has TONS of room for a small SUV. Wow. I mean compared to, like, a Mazda CX-5, Kia Sportage or Hyundai Tucson… this thing feels spacious. I have great knee and head clearance, and a side cubby with tons of room. There aren’t ceiling vents, but there are two lower center vents and one at mid-level on each side. So, would I prefer ceiling vents? Yes, but this isn’t too bad. There’s just one USB-C and two (weirdly sized) cup holders that pull down in the middle seat. 

Car Seat Details

I installed a rear-facing Graco Extend2Fit on the first recline setting using the lower anchors. It was a super easy install and I still have really good clearance. Again, I’m super impressed for an SUV this size. There are lower anchors on both outboard seats and tether anchors across the bench.

2022 Volkswagen Taos Trunk Details

The Taos has a nice sized trunk with a removable privacy cover. And, of course, if you lay the second row down, which you have to do from the side doors (there’s no button in the trunk), you’ve got tons more space. A big knock for me though is that there’s no power tailgate! I mean, really? No power gate on a $36,000 car? I’m kind of hung up on that, but whatever.

2022 Volkswagen Taos Wrap Up

For a small 5 passenger SUV, this is definitely a good option. It’s not perfect, but the roominess in the second row is a game-changer for me, especially when considering three car seats across. If you’re looking for something in this class, definitely give the Taos a test drive

To see a complete walkthrough of the 2022 Volkswagen Taos, click here.

What do you think of the 2022 Volkswagen Taos? Let me know in the comments! And to keep up with all things relating to the latest cars on the market, check out my recent tours: