“The SUV TAOS handles extremely well and the ride is so smooth. TAOS is a beautiful looking car.”
2022 Volkswagen Taos: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The 2022 Volkswagen Taos is an all-new model and Volkswagen’s smallest SUV in the U.S. lineup. Its debut is the headline change, bringing a roomy cabin, a 1.5-liter turbo engine, and standard digital gauges to a smaller footprint than the Tiguan.
About the 2022 Volkswagen Taos
1st generation Taos (2022-2024), first model year before the 2025 refresh.
Volkswagen positioned the Taos as the brand’s entry SUV: smaller than the Tiguan, priced to feel more approachable, but still roomy, modern, and pleasant to drive. The core appeal is everyday usefulness for commuters and small families—good back-seat space for the class, generous cargo room, a punchy small turbo engine, and a clean cabin with digital displays. For most buyers, the Taos is the practical VW SUV choice when a Tiguan feels larger than necessary.
The 2022 Taos ranges from the straightforward S to the comfort-focused SE and upscale SEL, with front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive versions represented throughout the lineup. The SE stands out for heated seats, an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless phone connectivity, and key collision-avoidance features. The SEL adds leather, navigation, premium audio, a larger digital instrument display, and a fuller driver-assistance suite.
What changed, by category
Powertrain
The Taos debuts with a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine across the lineup. Front-wheel-drive models use an 8-speed automatic transmission, while all-wheel-drive models use a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic.
Styling
Volkswagen launches the Taos as a new small SUV positioned below the Tiguan, with LED headlights standard across the lineup.
Safety
SE models feature forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. SEL models add adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, Travel Assist, and Emergency Assist.
Tech
Digital gauges are standard across the lineup. S models have a 6.5-inch touchscreen, while SE and SEL models use an 8-inch screen; upper trims add features such as wireless phone connectivity, navigation, and premium audio.
Structural
The first-generation Taos enters the U.S. lineup with a smaller exterior footprint than the Tiguan while emphasizing passenger and cargo room. All-wheel-drive versions also use an independent rear suspension.
2022 Volkswagen Taos specs and features by trim
| Feature | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 1.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 1.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 1.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 1.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 1.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 1.5 Liter |
| Transmission | Automatic, 8-Spd & Tiptronic | Automatic, 8-Spd & Tiptronic | Automatic, 8-Spd & Tiptronic | Automatic, 7-Spd DSG w/Tiptronic | Automatic, 7-Spd DSG w/Tiptronic | Automatic, 7-Spd DSG w/Tiptronic |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | FWD | AWD | AWD | AWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 28 mpg | 28 mpg | 28 mpg | 25 mpg | 25 mpg | 25 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 36 mpg | 36 mpg | 36 mpg | 32 mpg | 32 mpg | 32 mpg |
| Horsepower | 158 hp | 158 hp | 158 hp | 158 hp | 158 hp | 158 hp |
| Torque | 184 lb-ft | 184 lb-ft | 184 lb-ft | 184 lb-ft | 184 lb-ft | 184 lb-ft |
| Trunk/Cargo | 65.9 cu-ft | 65.9 cu-ft | 65.9 cu-ft | 65.9 cu-ft | 65.9 cu-ft | 65.9 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 37.9 in | 37.9 in | 37.9 in | 37.9 in | 37.9 in | 37.9 in |
| Seats | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ||||||
| Adaptive Headlights | ||||||
| Alarm System | ||||||
| Blindspot Sensors | ||||||
| Cruise Control | ||||||
| Hill Descent Control | ||||||
| Lane Departure Warning | ||||||
| Rain Sensing Windshield Wipers | ||||||
| Rear Parking Sensors | ||||||
| Rear View Camera | ||||||
| Alloy Wheels | ||||||
| Heated Mirrors | ||||||
| LED Headlights | ||||||
| Power Mirrors | ||||||
| Privacy Glass | ||||||
| Roof Rails | ||||||
| Navigation System | ||||||
| Premium Audio | ||||||
| Satellite Radio | ||||||
| Smartphone Interface | ||||||
| Subwoofer | ||||||
| Touch Screen Monitor | ||||||
| Auto-Dimming Interior Mirror | ||||||
| Dual-Zone Climate Control | ||||||
| Rear Air Conditioning | ||||||
| Heated Front Seats | ||||||
| Heated Steering Wheel | ||||||
| Interior Ambient Lighting | ||||||
| Leather Seats | ||||||
| Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel | ||||||
| Power Driver Seat | ||||||
| Proximity Keyless Entry | ||||||
| Push-Button Engine Start | ||||||
| Remote Start | ||||||
| Ventilated Front Seats | ||||||
Frequently asked questions
Is 2022 the first year of the Volkswagen Taos?
Yes. The 2022 Taos is the model’s first year in the U.S. lineup and the first year of its initial generation.
What engine does the 2022 Volkswagen Taos have?
Every 2022 Taos has a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Front-wheel-drive versions pair it with an 8-speed automatic, while all-wheel-drive versions use a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic.
Is every 2022 Volkswagen Taos all-wheel drive?
No. The 2022 Taos lineup includes both front-wheel-drive and 4MOTION all-wheel-drive versions of the S, SE, and SEL trims.
Does the 2022 Volkswagen Taos have digital gauges?
Yes. Every 2022 Taos has a digital instrument display. S and SE models use an 8-inch display, while SEL models have a 10.25-inch version.
Which 2022 Volkswagen Taos trims have the main driver-assistance features?
The 2022 SE has forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The SEL adds adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, Travel Assist, and Emergency Assist.
2022 Volkswagen Taos Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2022 Volkswagen Taos.
4.0
2022 Volkswagen Taos
(363 reviews)
“The vehicle is very versatile, comfortable and economical. The only negatives about the Taos is: 1. it is not as quiet at highway speeds (70+ mph) as I would like. 2. The A/C is a little weak when it is above 85 degrees-must use the recirculate button and have the fan speed at 4 or 5.”
“VW Taos is a great family car. It handles smoothly, great fuel economy, and plenty of storage for all your groceries or shopping needs.”