2022 Volkswagen Taos SUV revealed, launch next year

KUALA LUMPUR: The compact SUV is the largest U.S. vehicle segment, where 4 million vehicles were sold last year - 24% of the total share. These numbers signify that the country’s craze for crossovers SUVs is not going to fade anytime soon, and Volkswagen knows it well, thus it is steadily creating a roster of SUVs. After unveiling the ID.4 electric SUV last month, the German automaker now pulled the wraps off the all-new VW Taos.

“Taos is our fifth new addition to the Volkswagen SUV family in just four years, and we’re thrilled to keep finding new ways to meet the needs of American families. Taos will bookend our compact SUV offering, giving buyers all the style, technology, and drivability that Volkswagen is known for at an even more affordable price,” said Scott Keogh, CEO, Volkswagen Group of America.

Based on the company’s modular MQB platform, the new VW Taos slots under the Tiguan SUV in the lineup. Size-wise, it is 4465 mm long, 1841 wide, 1635 tall, and has a wheelbase of 2689 mm. These dimensions make it slightly larger than the Kia Seltos.

Visually, the compact SUV boasts a confident front fascia design and a familiar LED light signature. The notable highlights are an illuminated full-width LED light bar that runs across the wide grille, LED headlamps with an adaptive lighting system, and prominent character lines on the sides that echoes the Tiguan. The SUV rides on squared-off wheel arches, for which the size ranges from 17-inch to 19-inch. Wraparound taillights, a faux dual exhaust system, and an angled liftgate with an integrated spoiler highlight at the back.

Inside the cabin, the new Volkswagen Taos gets a minimalist interior design with clean lines and simple controls. A digital instrument cluster and dual-tone cloth seats come as standard while the following features come as options:

• 8-inch infotainment system
• 8-speaker premium audio system
• Dual-zone climate control system
• Wireless smartphone charger
• Heated/ventilated front seats
• Heated steering wheel
• Eight-way power driver’s seat
• Leather or leatherette upholstery
• Ten-colour ambient lighting system

On the mechanical front, there is a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine that hauls the SUV by producing 160 PS of maximum power and 249 Nm of peak torque. Front-drive trims get an eight-speed automatic, whereas the 4Motion all-wheel-drive variants are paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

The Taos safety features include an active blind-spot monitor, forward collision warning with autonomous braking, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, travel assist, emergency assist, high beam control, and a lane-keeping system.

The 2022 Taos is slated to launch in the US next summer.

Also read: 2020 Volkswagen Passat R-Line launched in Malaysia, price starts at RM 203,411