I bought a 2022 Taos SEL AWD fully loaded and paid $37k in California including GAP insurance and a paint protection thing (i decided to go with it because I have a 2014 Mustang with paint issues lol). I love this car and was thinking of getting a BMW X3 as I can afford it but decided not to drown myself in payments. I financed this car and plan to drive it until the wheels fall off. It rides comfortably and acceleration is okay, I came from a Mustang so I am used to driving fast but this is fine with me. The Beats audio is oriented for heavy bass music such as Hip/Hop, RNB, EDM, etc but sounds good imo. I pay attention to interior quality and dislike the hard plastics but in reality, I do not even notice that when I drive. What I notice is the infotaiment system and me driving lol. For me, this car is a 8.5/10, i love it!
Nice review as always. I appreciate that this model still has all of the real knobs and physical switchgear. The newer VW user interface (ala GTI) is going all haptic / sliders... which is a deal breaker for me.
That low speed/gear clunkiness seems common with VWs off the line, whether it's for the 6 or 7 speed. Definitely is the case with mine. Doesn't keep me from loving the drive, though
Don't buy one, they are junk, I just traded mine in last week for a Hyundai Santa Cruz. Will never buy VW again. The turbo lag is hideous, the materials are hard and cheap, if you want a Taos, just go for the Tiguan, they are virtually priced the same.
We have one and 3 months in we like it. It has a flat spot on the excelleration so we leave it in sport mode around town. Gas millage is great on a longer run and its phenomenal in the snow. It's my wife's car and she likes it.
Kudos for noting that the Taos is the replacement for the basic Golf in SUV obsessed North America, Tom. Viewed from that perspective, the attributes of the Taos make sense. It's typically seen as a subcompact SUV but like other VW SUVs, it offers significantly more interior space than the competition. And just as the Taos is larger than its rivals, the Tiguan is among the largest vehicles in the so-called "compact" category. In fact, the Tiguan sold in the US is known as the "AllSpace" in Europe (sold alongside the smaller Tiguan) and is considered a midsize (or even a large) SUV in European markets. Finally, the VW Atlas is not only the largest SUV VW makes, it's among the largest in the US "midsize" category and isn't even sold in Western Europe. In short, VW has found that Americans want their VWs LARGE regardless of the category in which they compete. And that's why the basic Golf has been replaced with the Taos here in America.
The C cross is garbage. So tiny, barley any space in the front or back. I hit my knee getting. The inside is so cheap. The Taos is the most spacious and with the better cockpit and trunk space. Yes it’s too bad it doesn’t power liftgate and what happened to the sunglasses holder also geez. The Taos drives nice. It feels different if you never driven a VW before.
I test drove one of these, the SEL version, and it was the most uncomfortable ride I have had.. Horrible! Seat was as hard as a rock, and the drivers door arm rest was so low you couldn't rest your arm comfortably.. it was flat out bad.
I bought TAOS AWD trendline .It is an awesome compact SUV. Even with 7-10 inches of snow here in Edmonton Canada ,I never used snow mode just on normal . It is best vehicle for snowy conditions and within our Budget.
It always amuses me when I see these reviews and they complain about a lack of room in the back seat or a lack of vents or charging ports in the back. Who gives a damn?! if someone is riding in the back, it means they are passengers and not the owner of the vehicle. I wouldn’t buy a vehicle with pleasing my back seat passengers in mind. Stop spending so much time reviewing the backseat of vehicles. Nobody gives a damn.
If you don't need all wheel drive (which most people really don't) the FWD gets 36 MPG highway. Some reviews I've read/seen have been getting 38-40 MPG on the highway. That's great for a crossover that isn't a hybrid.
I got the base model for $22,000, or $2,200 below sticker, Plus ttl. Compares favorably with my daughter's Tiguan by weighing 600 lb less and bigger inside with the exception of the luggage area.
Dealing with dealer negotiation is widely known to be a very unpopular process that most people do not wish to do. Some people admittedly do. "Dicker"???? What did you mean by that? I can't wait til all car sales are done on a set price process. By not having to pay dealership "salesmen" (geez, sounds like a horror movie on Netflix) car prices should be able to be fair, and should be lower than autos are sold for under the current large "dealer"-ship system. Auto Sales centers (not to be called dealerships anymore) could have a smaller footprint. Perhaps more automakers will try the Tesla sales style, where there are showrooms, smaller of course than the massive current dealerships that have hundreds of cars sitting on their lot(s). I haven't gone into a Tesla sales center in a shopping mall as of yet, but I am sure there is a process where one could get a test drive in a car they are very highly considering in a short period of time. A care buying experience should never be rushed! I look forward to the day when I can walk into a car sales center without being screened by a "greeter" (likely the lowest guy on the totem pole) then handed off to a salesman waiting around in a circle of other "professionals" (LOL). Trim the process. The people who will soon be former "salesman" will need to transition to other careers, there's a vast need for employees, anything from more baristas as every Starbucks to even working on farms growing fresh organic vegetables, which could very likely help these people become less of a detriment to the general state of health of people in the United States and perhaps other countries. I am seriously considering purchasing a Taos. During these times of Covid, production has slowed so supplies are low, and that may be a good thing, as some consider buying a car during its first year of production to be riskier as the cars may need some refinement. The technology that VW uses from model to model is not reinvented each year. It may be tuned or refined. Some people are enthralled to purchase a car that is a "totally new" design. (Good Luck!)....I'll wait, I'll get the highest trim level offered, hopefully down the road (the Autobahn) there will be an R-Line or a R model of Taos that Volkswagen could justify importing into the United States. I've had 7 VW's, between my wife and myself over decades, in addition to Porsche and BMW autos. I do not need a thrill of a "shiny bright new thing" in each car I purchase. About the price...what doesn't cost seemingly "alot" nowadays??? It's called Covid pandemic plus high inflation. Some cases may have given opportunistic types some leeway to increase profits unnecessarily, let us just hope that the majority of retailers and manufacturers are not overpricing unnecessarily.
I have seen so many Taos reviews, yet it was so entertaining to watch this one. Great job! I love the Taos. There are tons of them here in NYC. Great city car, and replacement to the Mk7 Golf hatch in VW's lineup, and with its generous interior and trunk space - to the Golf SportWagen as well. I am eyeing for a replacement of my 2014 Passat in the near future. And I am considering both the 2022 Tiguan SE 4Motion, and the Taos as well. The latter in its mid-level trim - SE w/ IQ. Package, FWD and no sunroof. But I am the no-first-model-year kind of guy so I will probably end up with the Tiguan. Or another Passat (3rd times the charm, ehh? 😄).
What defines “premium” anymore? Not sure this is it. The wheel design is on point but the interior has the plastics and design mediocrity of a GM. Frankly Mazda and anything from the Hyundai group has this beat and buried.
I had a DSG in my VW GLI - I can say that the transmission did not like slow starts. It seems to like more deliberate/moderate starts. Once I changed my driving style to that, everything smoothed out. Then I would be reminded about the stuttering ever time I was in bumper to bumper.
Hi Tom, I was wondering if you experienced the operation of any of the VW drive assistants? In particular the lane keeping assist. VW made a change somewhere around 2019/2020 to have it be active at every ignition cycle. Previously, when you turned it off, it stayed off. My experience thus far has been that 50% or so of time the steering corrections are erroneous and at times definitely not wanted (constructions zones can elicit unexpected behavior). Thanks! Good review!
Thank you for mentioning winter tires, the only essential upgrade. Wish VW were bringing a performance e-Golf....the outgoing one was just a little sad though plush inside.
I appreciate your no nonsense videos - Love the neighbourhoods where you have your drive through images - I lived in North Vancouver and would swear that's where this was done - Can you please tell us where the videos where made?
Tom, thanks for sharing a bit more behind the scenes with this video. It's a lot that goes into a quality video and you remain consistent year over year. Also, thanks to Mr. Campbell as well.
Finally, a detailed review of this crossover! As someone who took your advice on the Mk7 Golf the Taos is on my list for a potential new car in the next two years.
I am very interested in this vehicle and I test drove one against the Mazda CX-30. Do you have a rating service or a 'best-recommended list"? I want the reliability of the Mazda but the drivetrain in the VW feels much better. What do you favor in this class? I know you may not reply to all your comments so don't feel obligated, but if I don't ask, I might never know. Regardless, another great review that I truly appreciate!
@Tony fake as an adjective modifies whatever you put it in front of. Fake exhausts, fake exhaust ports, all fake fake fake, as Elaine Bennis once said.
The quality of your video reviews are always top notch (content and technically wise) but good point to bring awareness to all audio editing (time and effort) needed to reach that goal.
If VW wants to convince American car buyers that their modern vehicles are reliable they need to bring back the 6/75k bumper to bumper warranty they offered a few years ago. The fact that they did away with it after ONE YEAR did nothing to convince this former VW owner to return to the fold
They did away with it because they found people didn't care about so much about the length of the warranty than they did about the maintenance coverage. Volkswagens in the 2010s onward are markedly better and some of the most reliable vehicles on the road today. Once the ditched all the Renault components they were putting in the cars in the late 90s-2008 they got so much better.
@@kraenk12 And maybe Europeans need to realize that VWs sold here in the US aren't the same as the ones sold in Europe and thus could easily have problems Europeans don't experience...
I like the size but the interior (I sat in one) seems very cheap with all the hard surfaces. I’ve had a 2012 Passat SE and am now driving a 2019 Golf SE and their interiors are much better.
I'll restate my objection to reviewing the insanely optioned, highest trim level version of a budget orientated segment vehicle that 90% of the drivers shopping in that class won't buy. There is often a wide-gulf between the quality in these vehicles and the volume sellers. I know all UA-cam reviewers do it and claim they have no choice because they have to review what the auto companies provide them. Something that I would find very useful is getting the comfort prospective of someone sitting in the backseat. If you have Martin riding in the back when you're going out to film, I'd find it helpful to know what he thinks of the vehicle riding as a backseat passenger. I do appreciate the quality of your reviews. You are one of the best. Thanks.
I appreciate that Tom talks about the available options for vehicles (to include the infotainment system). Of course, buyers can choose those options they want in the vehicles they consider or purchase.
Manufactures like writers to experience the advanced features in top trim models. Not everyone needs / wants / can afford those but it’s easy enough to disregard those sections of the review. The basic performance and dynamics are usually the same.
Just got rid of my Taos, it was literally the shortest I had ever had a car, 5 months, and it just felt cheap. Sold it to Vroom, last week, and my new Santa Cruz arrives next month!
The intro music, with the beat stolen from "Another One Bites the Dust", did not jive with me. The muzak starting from 3 minute mark, is less offensive. As for GTI, treat it as the replacement for normal Golf. Considering its porky weight and size, 245 HP is just right for it. It is a better car than a 1.5T Taos. Oh, and could you stop saying "price point" instead of "price"? Price points are specific points on a supply/demand chart, and you clearly do not mean that. Maintenance? Do you mean badly designed parts, which even after several re-designs still fail? For example, the EA888 engine is in its fourth iteration now, so it has ALMOST been cured from its ills, although not completely. 50K miles warranty? What will you do when the engine starts to chug oil at 60K mile mark? Cannot trust Volkswagen. German cars are good for leasing only.
35 Grand for a car which doesn't even compete with bigger and cheaper competitors such as the Rav4 the CRV the CX5 or even the Forester. Besides all this you got the guarantee that this thing will not last long and will cost someone much more money to repair and to maintain that is said by all major Consumer and car surveys.
If you have a good shop that knows European cars Volkswagens are no more expensive to maintain or fix than any American, Japanese, or Korean car. Volkswagens get a bad rep in the United States because most mechanics don't realize that while they have longer maintenance intervals, akin to their Audi cousins, they need different kinds lubricants and such. But the trade off in needing potentially fewer fluid related services over the life of the vehicle is worth it to me as a VW owner. If you go anywhere in Europe Volkswagen is seen there the same way Toyota is in North America, the pinnacle of reliability.
28mpg rated is incredibly low. We should be well in the 30s at this point, especially VW who is trying to play it nice with the environment. My ‘19 lifted 4x4 midsized truck gets 25-26mpg without trying too hard. Can get around 28 if I try. Cmon manufacturers, do better.
Another excellent review. Tom is hands down, the best.
And his evil twin is not bad either.
@@jody024 You don't have to live with him...
I bought a 2022 Taos SEL AWD fully loaded and paid $37k in California including GAP insurance and a paint protection thing (i decided to go with it because I have a 2014 Mustang with paint issues lol). I love this car and was thinking of getting a BMW X3 as I can afford it but decided not to drown myself in payments. I financed this car and plan to drive it until the wheels fall off. It rides comfortably and acceleration is okay, I came from a Mustang so I am used to driving fast but this is fine with me. The Beats audio is oriented for heavy bass music such as Hip/Hop, RNB, EDM, etc but sounds good imo. I pay attention to interior quality and dislike the hard plastics but in reality, I do not even notice that when I drive. What I notice is the infotaiment system and me driving lol. For me, this car is a 8.5/10, i love it!
Anyone that has gap ins cant afford shit
Your upside down fool
Nice review as always. I appreciate that this model still has all of the real knobs and physical switchgear.
The newer VW user interface (ala GTI) is going all haptic / sliders... which is a deal breaker for me.
That low speed/gear clunkiness seems common with VWs off the line, whether it's for the 6 or 7 speed. Definitely is the case with mine. Doesn't keep me from loving the drive, though
I've heard that
I think that’s common with most twin clutch transmissions.
Don't buy one, they are junk, I just traded mine in last week for a Hyundai Santa Cruz. Will never buy VW again. The turbo lag is hideous, the materials are hard and cheap, if you want a Taos, just go for the Tiguan, they are virtually priced the same.
We have one and 3 months in we like it. It has a flat spot on the excelleration so we leave it in sport mode around town. Gas millage is great on a longer run and its phenomenal in the snow. It's my wife's car and she likes it.
Nice looking vehicle! The new Golf R looks great as well.
Sure but the UI is hell.
Tom, don’t forget, we (The US Market) get the Golf R; for those who think that the GTI does not have enough power.
Kudos for noting that the Taos is the replacement for the basic Golf in SUV obsessed North America, Tom. Viewed from that perspective, the attributes of the Taos make sense. It's typically seen as a subcompact SUV but like other VW SUVs, it offers significantly more interior space than the competition. And just as the Taos is larger than its rivals, the Tiguan is among the largest vehicles in the so-called "compact" category. In fact, the Tiguan sold in the US is known as the "AllSpace" in Europe (sold alongside the smaller Tiguan) and is considered a midsize (or even a large) SUV in European markets. Finally, the VW Atlas is not only the largest SUV VW makes, it's among the largest in the US "midsize" category and isn't even sold in Western Europe.
In short, VW has found that Americans want their VWs LARGE regardless of the category in which they compete. And that's why the basic Golf has been replaced with the Taos here in America.
Ha! The Atlas is essentially VW's van in the US.
…replacement for the Golf except Golf used to get close to 40mpg highway…
A $3100 Taos SE (at the 02:00 videomark)? At that price, I'll take two of them.
The C cross is garbage. So tiny, barley any space in the front or back. I hit my knee getting. The inside is so cheap. The Taos is the most spacious and with the better cockpit and trunk space. Yes it’s too bad it doesn’t power liftgate and what happened to the sunglasses holder also geez. The Taos drives nice. It feels different if you never driven a VW before.
I test drove one of these, the SEL version, and it was the most uncomfortable ride I have had.. Horrible! Seat was as hard as a rock, and the drivers door arm rest was so low you couldn't rest your arm comfortably.. it was flat out bad.
I bought TAOS AWD trendline .It is an awesome compact SUV. Even with 7-10 inches of snow here in Edmonton Canada ,I never used snow mode just on normal . It is best vehicle for snowy conditions and within our Budget.
Interesting. That's not a trim we get in the US.
It always amuses me when I see these reviews and they complain about a lack of room in the back seat or a lack of vents or charging ports in the back. Who gives a damn?! if someone is riding in the back, it means they are passengers and not the owner of the vehicle. I wouldn’t buy a vehicle with pleasing my back seat passengers in mind. Stop spending so much time reviewing the backseat of vehicles. Nobody gives a damn.
Maybe you don’t care. Others do.
Now I'm interested in the Taos. Great review Tom.
If you don't need all wheel drive (which most people really don't) the FWD gets 36 MPG highway. Some reviews I've read/seen have been getting 38-40 MPG on the highway. That's great for a crossover that isn't a hybrid.
I got the base model for $22,000, or $2,200 below sticker, Plus ttl. Compares favorably with my daughter's Tiguan by weighing 600 lb less and bigger inside with the exception of the luggage area.
Dealing with dealer negotiation is widely known to be a very unpopular process that most people do not wish to do. Some people admittedly do. "Dicker"???? What did you mean by that? I can't wait til all car sales are done on a set price process. By not having to pay dealership "salesmen" (geez, sounds like a horror movie on Netflix) car prices should be able to be fair, and should be lower than autos are sold for under the current large "dealer"-ship system. Auto Sales centers (not to be called dealerships anymore) could have a smaller footprint. Perhaps more automakers will try the Tesla sales style, where there are showrooms, smaller of course than the massive current dealerships that have hundreds of cars sitting on their lot(s). I haven't gone into a Tesla sales center in a shopping mall as of yet, but I am sure there is a process where one could get a test drive in a car they are very highly considering in a short period of time. A care buying experience should never be rushed! I look forward to the day when I can walk into a car sales center without being screened by a "greeter" (likely the lowest guy on the totem pole) then handed off to a salesman waiting around in a circle of other "professionals" (LOL). Trim the process. The people who will soon be former "salesman" will need to transition to other careers, there's a vast need for employees, anything from more baristas as every Starbucks to even working on farms growing fresh organic vegetables, which could very likely help these people become less of a detriment to the general state of health of people in the United States and perhaps other countries. I am seriously considering purchasing a Taos. During these times of Covid, production has slowed so supplies are low, and that may be a good thing, as some consider buying a car during its first year of production to be riskier as the cars may need some refinement. The technology that VW uses from model to model is not reinvented each year. It may be tuned or refined. Some people are enthralled to purchase a car that is a "totally new" design. (Good Luck!)....I'll wait, I'll get the highest trim level offered, hopefully down the road (the Autobahn) there will be an R-Line or a R model of Taos that Volkswagen could justify importing into the United States. I've had 7 VW's, between my wife and myself over decades, in addition to Porsche and BMW autos. I do not need a thrill of a "shiny bright new thing" in each car I purchase. About the price...what doesn't cost seemingly "alot" nowadays??? It's called Covid pandemic plus high inflation. Some cases may have given opportunistic types some leeway to increase profits unnecessarily, let us just hope that the majority of retailers and manufacturers are not overpricing unnecessarily.
I have seen so many Taos reviews, yet it was so entertaining to watch this one. Great job!
I love the Taos. There are tons of them here in NYC. Great city car, and replacement to the Mk7 Golf hatch in VW's lineup, and with its generous interior and trunk space - to the Golf SportWagen as well.
I am eyeing for a replacement of my 2014 Passat in the near future. And I am considering both the 2022 Tiguan SE 4Motion, and the Taos as well. The latter in its mid-level trim - SE w/ IQ. Package, FWD and no sunroof.
But I am the no-first-model-year kind of guy so I will probably end up with the Tiguan. Or another Passat (3rd times the charm, ehh? 😄).
What defines “premium” anymore? Not sure this is it. The wheel design is on point but the interior has the plastics and design mediocrity of a GM. Frankly Mazda and anything from the Hyundai group has this beat and buried.
Great review. Maintenance is key. My 2018. 2019 Atlas runs very well with minimal costs.
I had a DSG in my VW GLI - I can say that the transmission did not like slow starts. It seems to like more deliberate/moderate starts. Once I changed my driving style to that, everything smoothed out.
Then I would be reminded about the stuttering ever time I was in bumper to bumper.
My girlfriend bought a FWD SE and she sees 45mph on the freeway all the time. We are super impressed by this vehicle.
Hi Tom, I was wondering if you experienced the operation of any of the VW drive assistants? In particular the lane keeping assist. VW made a change somewhere around 2019/2020 to have it be active at every ignition cycle. Previously, when you turned it off, it stayed off. My experience thus far has been that 50% or so of time the steering corrections are erroneous and at times definitely not wanted (constructions zones can elicit unexpected behavior). Thanks! Good review!
Thank you for mentioning winter tires, the only essential upgrade. Wish VW were bringing a performance e-Golf....the outgoing one was just a little sad though plush inside.
Taos replaces the Golf - at $10K more ? Thanks to 96 or 108 month financing..
I appreciate your no nonsense videos - Love the neighbourhoods where you have your drive through images - I lived in North Vancouver and would swear that's where this was done - Can you please tell us where the videos where made?
Love your videos nice reviews
DSG trasnmition are expensive "mecatronica" is a dont buy it.
Good review as always. My Kia Soul Turbo has more horsepower than this so this would be a hard pass for me, especially at that price.
My wife has one and i really like it. It’s quick and drives really nice
Tom, thanks for sharing a bit more behind the scenes with this video. It's a lot that goes into a quality video and you remain consistent year over year. Also, thanks to Mr. Campbell as well.
Nice to see Mr Campbell again, Tom! ;-)
Love mine ♥️ passat to taos best choice I've made In 8 years lol
Finally, a detailed review of this crossover! As someone who took your advice on the Mk7 Golf the Taos is on my list for a potential new car in the next two years.
I am very interested in this vehicle and I test drove one against the Mazda CX-30. Do you have a rating service or a 'best-recommended list"? I want the reliability of the Mazda but the drivetrain in the VW feels much better. What do you favor in this class? I know you may not reply to all your comments so don't feel obligated, but if I don't ask, I might never know. Regardless, another great review that I truly appreciate!
I try to stay away from recommending specific vehicles. Just too many variables. I do like the Seltos, Tucson, and CX-30 to name a few. Best of luck!
Personally I'm looking at one of 3 options for this segment.
1) Kia Seltos
2) Hyundai Kona
3) VW Taos
Mazda CX30?
Hey Tom, where can I pick up that SE w/ AWD and Safety Package for $3,100 (2:02)???
A wrecking yard I'd assume. Sorry about that.
yeah I'm putting this baby on the to-test list. Thanks Tom.
I like the color of the interior, and it not black. This looks nice in blue.
Great review! Fake exhaust ports in back and a generic look in front add some louse to the Taos, but as a VW fan and in need of AWD I’d consider it.
@Tony fake as an adjective modifies whatever you put it in front of. Fake exhausts, fake exhaust ports, all fake fake fake, as Elaine Bennis once said.
The quality of your video reviews are always top notch (content and technically wise) but good point to bring awareness to all audio editing (time and effort) needed to reach that goal.
I appreciate that!
Excellent informative review and content.
They need to bring the T-ROC to the US.
This SUV looks great (better than the Tiguan) and of course, you're production values are way above average.
Needs a power liftgate and to make it ideal.
If VW wants to convince American car buyers that their modern vehicles are reliable they need to bring back the 6/75k bumper to bumper warranty they offered a few years ago. The fact that they did away with it after ONE YEAR did nothing to convince this former VW owner to return to the fold
They did away with it because they found people didn't care about so much about the length of the warranty than they did about the maintenance coverage.
Volkswagens in the 2010s onward are markedly better and some of the most reliable vehicles on the road today. Once the ditched all the Renault components they were putting in the cars in the late 90s-2008 they got so much better.
VWs haven't been unreliable in decades. Maybe sometimes even Americans should do their research.
@@kraenk12 That's not true. The 95-05 period Volkswagens in North America were junk, largely because they used a lot of crappy Renault parts.
@@kraenk12 And maybe Europeans need to realize that VWs sold here in the US aren't the same as the ones sold in Europe and thus could easily have problems Europeans don't experience...
I’m surprised that Hyundai didn’t use the Taos name for its one of its models.
You're a guy that's thinking
I like the size but the interior (I sat in one) seems very cheap with all the hard surfaces. I’ve had a 2012 Passat SE and am now driving a 2019 Golf SE and their interiors are much better.
The Golf is a better car than the Taos. Unfortunately, customers in the US didn't think so.
I'll restate my objection to reviewing the insanely optioned, highest trim level version of a budget orientated segment vehicle that 90% of the drivers shopping in that class won't buy. There is often a wide-gulf between the quality in these vehicles and the volume sellers. I know all UA-cam reviewers do it and claim they have no choice because they have to review what the auto companies provide them. Something that I would find very useful is getting the comfort prospective of someone sitting in the backseat. If you have Martin riding in the back when you're going out to film, I'd find it helpful to know what he thinks of the vehicle riding as a backseat passenger. I do appreciate the quality of your reviews. You are one of the best. Thanks.
I appreciate that Tom talks about the available options for vehicles (to include the infotainment system). Of course, buyers can choose those options they want in the vehicles they consider or purchase.
Manufactures like writers to experience the advanced features in top trim models. Not everyone needs / wants / can afford those but it’s easy enough to disregard those sections of the review. The basic performance and dynamics are usually the same.
😀👍
Excellent review!
Great review, Tom. You are right that the SE trim is the way to go with this vehicle. With 4 Motion and the IQ drive upgrade, it comes in around $31K.
Yup, not $3,100.
No engine cover ?
Nope
The loaded Taos at $35k is getting towards Buick Encore GX levels.
Yet better driving and looking with more space.
Just got rid of my Taos, it was literally the shortest I had ever had a car, 5 months, and it just felt cheap. Sold it to Vroom, last week, and my new Santa Cruz arrives next month!
As usual, great production quality. Good reviews too. 😉
Your remarks on DSG shifting are a major red flag. Based on that I would lease, but not buy, and possibly skip altogether after a thorough test drive.
Too expensive! We need the ID.3
31 "hundred" dollars? I'm sold.
But you'll have to get it a Pick 'N Part.
Job well done as always, Tom, get me a hybrid/PHEV with traditional 6/8 speed transmission for this car and I may try out a VW brand.
The intro music, with the beat stolen from "Another One Bites the Dust", did not jive with me. The muzak starting from 3 minute mark, is less offensive. As for GTI, treat it as the replacement for normal Golf. Considering its porky weight and size, 245 HP is just right for it. It is a better car than a 1.5T Taos. Oh, and could you stop saying "price point" instead of "price"? Price points are specific points on a supply/demand chart, and you clearly do not mean that. Maintenance? Do you mean badly designed parts, which even after several re-designs still fail? For example, the EA888 engine is in its fourth iteration now, so it has ALMOST been cured from its ills, although not completely. 50K miles warranty? What will you do when the engine starts to chug oil at 60K mile mark? Cannot trust Volkswagen. German cars are good for leasing only.
I can’t believe how pricy this is. Car manufacturers I swear are trying to get the average sale to $45-$50K Just 4 years ago the average sale was $32K
Pricy lmao. You should try living in Europe, this car is a steal for what it offers.
Too Much for to low of Real Life quality..
As a previous VW owner, absolute unreliable garbage 🗑 Nice review as usual. Have you tested the Subaru Crosstrek Sport?
It's been a while since I've done Crosstrek.
All my family has driven VWs all their lives and we never had any issue with reliability. What did you do?
@@kraenk12 Then you should play the lottery. This isn’t what I experienced nor Consumer Reports.
35 Grand for a car which doesn't even compete with bigger and cheaper competitors such as the Rav4 the CRV the CX5 or even the Forester. Besides all this you got the guarantee that this thing will not last long and will cost someone much more money to repair and to maintain that is said by all major Consumer and car surveys.
If you have a good shop that knows European cars Volkswagens are no more expensive to maintain or fix than any American, Japanese, or Korean car. Volkswagens get a bad rep in the United States because most mechanics don't realize that while they have longer maintenance intervals, akin to their Audi cousins, they need different kinds lubricants and such. But the trade off in needing potentially fewer fluid related services over the life of the vehicle is worth it to me as a VW owner.
If you go anywhere in Europe Volkswagen is seen there the same way Toyota is in North America, the pinnacle of reliability.
@@kylegoodman5196 Well said.
28mpg rated is incredibly low. We should be well in the 30s at this point, especially VW who is trying to play it nice with the environment. My ‘19 lifted 4x4 midsized truck gets 25-26mpg without trying too hard. Can get around 28 if I try. Cmon manufacturers, do better.
No way you're getting that in a body on frame pickup 🤣
28 mpg?! When an (for example) 2019 Ford Ranger XLT 4x4 struggles to get 20 mpg? ["Car and Driver" got 16 mpg with theirs] OK...
MY GOD YOU do like to blow one's own trumpet
No trolling be thankful
yes you shoot your videos your self big wow!