The 2022 Volkswagen Taos is scheduled to appear at U.S. retailers in June, but Volkswagen has announced official pricing and specs for its upcoming subcompact SUV in the meantime.
The small SUV, which seats underneath the Tiguan, is available in three trim levels: S, SE, and SEL, with prices beginning at $22,995, minus a $1,195 destination fee. This makes the entry-level model $965 less expensive than the 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport, one of its biggest competitors in the market.
Under the hood, all VW Taos models are powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine producing 158 horsepower and 250 Newton-meters of torque, mated to either an eight-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive or a 7-speed DSG and all-wheel drive.
In terms of equipment LED exterior lights, 17-inch wheels, roof rails, a 6.5-inch screen for the infotainment system, Bluetooth, an 8-inch wireless cockpit touchscreen, and a reversing camera are all standard features on the front-wheel-drive version from the start. The heated front seats, heated windshield washer nozzles, and heated side mirrors are standard on the 4Motion AWD model, which starts at $25,040.
The 2022 Taos SE is available for $27,245 with FWD and $28,695 with AWD. This includes bigger 18-inch wheels, silver roof bars, and body-colored side mirror casings rather than the black-colored package used on the base model, a larger 8-inch infotainment device, upgraded audio, a wireless charger, an optional USB-C port, and SiriusXM satellite radio with a three-month free subscription.
It also has fabric and leatherette upholstery, heated front seats with driver control change, keyless entry and go, and rear privacy windows.
Moving up to the SEL trim, which starts at $31,490 for the FWD and $33,045 for the AWD version, you can get black 18-inch wheels on the former and machined 19-inch wheels on the latter. LED adaptive headlights, an illuminated grille, a 10.25-inch screen, leather seats, a BeatsAudio sound system, ambient lighting, dual-zone climate control system, and ventilated front seats are all standard.
Customers will further customize each trim, starting with the $995 IQ. Drive kit on the S, which adds additional safety features, and moving up to the SE and SEL grades. The mid-level variant is available with $395 18-inch black wheels and a $1,200 panoramic sunroof.