Crossovers Are Taking Over! - 2024 Volkswagen Taos Review

Рет қаралды 21,572

Күн бұрын

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The world of small crossovers continues to get more crowded, as more and more people flock to them. Last year Volkswagen finally entered the fray with their Taos. It’s spacious, it’s handsome, and it’s relatively affordable. In this video we’ll take a close look at the interior features, how it drives, efficiency, safety, things we like, things we don’t like, and if you should buy one. Let’s go!
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Table of Contents:
0:00 - What Is It?
1:50 - Exterior Design!
3:55 - Interior Features!
8:03 - Rear Seats / Cargo!
9:43 - Powertrain!
11:28 - Ride / Safety!
14:32 - Price / Competition!
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Music used in this episode:
- Selected tracks from the KZfaq music library
- Selected tracks by Kia Orion ( • Video )

Пікірлер: 84

@HelloRoad 7 ай бұрын

What do you think of the crossover takeover? And will we all miss the Golf when it's gone? Also correction: I showed AWD fuel economy figures. FWD is 28/36 mpg city/highway.

@TheWineroute 7 ай бұрын

Cagers gotta cage. Fuck gas cars forever. They should be banned today.

@user-yi7zj3lv5t 7 ай бұрын

i cant say everyone wants a crossover when its the only thing the industry pushes

@rightlanehog3151 7 ай бұрын

Up here in Canada, the Golf wagon was popular until they stopped selling them due to lack of interest in the US.

@NaviGee4 2 ай бұрын

I have 2024 taos se awd, does Anyone if you reverse and there is a car coming; can you have the car make a sound? Or when u r parking n when u get too close the car, can you enable a system to make a sound saying it is too close like tiguain se r line? Also my key fob for trunk open doesnt work....i pressed it and isk if it is supposed to open or unlock only

@Ramerez11 7 ай бұрын

I know I'm an outlier, but I want to keep my vehicles small, fuel efficient and fun to drive. A crossover is diametrically opposed to that and I hope the market never forces me to buy one or an SUV and lets me stick to sedans/hatchbacks/wagons

@mariovazquez3874 7 ай бұрын

I gave up on that already. Here in the Midwest AWD or 4WD is nice for the winter, you can even get away with good all season/all terrain tires for the whole year. The problem is nearly no sedans specially small ones comes with AWD, and when they do, is at the expense of something else, like the turbo on Altimas, or the big turbo in Kia K5. If you want a descent Turbo AWD option, you are already relying mostly on Subaru.

@evannussbaum1863 6 ай бұрын

It’s not that suv-ish. Just feels like a really big golf. You can stilll toss it around but it’s huge inside so u kind of get the best of both worlds

@tengamangapiu 5 ай бұрын

I had a 2007 Audi A4 sedan (2.0T motor) and last year got the Taos because in the test drive it felt snappy while accelerating. 2023 SE FWD version. Plus Taos has roof rails which come handy for Kayaks. It's just missing a hitch for towing my 2 bicycle rack (but it can be added later). I like the heated steering wheel too, but miss an actual physical button to open the trunk. I think that if you want to use it as an Uber, that's a feature drivers would miss because it forces you to step out of the car and press a button on the trunk to open it.

@dmack1827 5 ай бұрын

This is hardly an suv.

@evannussbaum1863 5 ай бұрын

@@dmack1827 it’s only an inch shorter than Kia shortage and Honda crv and 7 inches taller than a golf and Mazda 3 hatch. If it’s not an suv what is it, and what would that make Corolla cross, H-RV, cx30, ux250, Audi q3, etc? Not suvs?

@justinhigdon42 7 ай бұрын

got one of these a few months ago and its been my favorite car so far. Wanted an suv that had all the features for a good price. Also one of the only compact crossover with a panoramic sun roof. However I don't see golf fans loving it. To me its aimed towards people who want a simple crossover for a decent price. wouldn't say its fun or sporty at all.

@TommyG11814 7 ай бұрын

I just bought a 2024 fwd and so far just over 700 miles it's been great, I am a bit nervous about some of the reviews it gets but time will tell.

@StayForTheFeels Ай бұрын

@@TommyG11814any update in terms of driving 5months later???? Genuinely curious I just purchased one and want to know what your thoughts are on

@rightlanehog3151 7 ай бұрын

Ethan, I am living the station wagon dream and intend to do so as long as I can. 🤩 The station wagon renaissance begins with the arrival of the Hybrid Crown Signia. 🤞🤞

@a.stewart2641 5 ай бұрын

Drives beautifully. Did 80 on 80 thru Pa, did about 250 miles, used half a tank, warned me of two speed traps. Nice.

@StewSims 7 ай бұрын

A lot of people will criticise buyers for purchasing this type of vehicle but the trouble is now that the cheapest cars you can buy are compact SUVs, what are you gonna do if you need a new car and on a budget? We bought an MG ZS to replace our Peugeot 208 and pretty happy with it for the driving we need to do. I wouldn't say I enjoy driving it but there aren't many new cars I could afford that I would tbh.

@carlseiler6441 7 ай бұрын

As compact hatch lover, the loss of the Golf bums me.This thing is fine. Clad to see MPG continues to improve for ICE vehicles.

@harolddenton6031 Ай бұрын

My dad just traded in his 2004 Toyota prius on a 2024 Taos SE model AWD car. I swear it is on good looking vehicle. I stand 6'1 and weigh 320 lbs and I have plenty of room setting in the driver's seat and have lots of knee room when I sat down in the back seat behind the driver's side. I look forward to ever getting a chance to drive it. Growing up in the 1970's up into mid 1990's out family owned 4 different Volkswagen vehicles.

@kailahmann1823 4 ай бұрын

Interesting to see the much taller grill (very similar to the Atlas) compared to a European Tiguan (which is sold in two sizes here). Also interesting to call this "sub-compact" - in Europe Volkswagen offers six (!) more models (including three crossovers) below this.

@samhughes1747 7 ай бұрын

If we could get 5-door cars with decent options, I'd go that way every time. My wife wanted heated seats, which are treated as a "luxury trim only" feature, meaning we were restricted to very expensive cars, and the option wasn't even offered on many of the vehicles we were looking at. What happened to the VW Passat wagon? Yeah, you called it: profit margins. That thing sold like hotcakes, but isn't offered anymore because it threatens to cannibalize their crossovers.

@timothyhh 6 ай бұрын

The base Taos S comes with heated cloth seats and heated steering wheel.

@TommyG11814 6 ай бұрын

It does have a sport setting on the shifter ,,,see the S on the shifter. And it does have a heated steering wheel. Good review I have this vehicle 2024 SE FWD.

@NaviGee4 2 ай бұрын

@mariovazquez3874 7 ай бұрын

Actually on higher trims the Crosstrek get the 2.5L which kind of matches the Taos on power, while still only loosing according to Subaru only 1 MPG. That gives like a 3-4 MPG combined advantage compared to the 4Motion option.

@Redrally 7 ай бұрын

Nicely reviewed as ever, even if I have no interest in buying a car 😆

@ingenunis5003 5 ай бұрын

I have a ‘2023 VW TAOS SE & really like it……had a TIGUAN before & just went a wee bit smaller.

@beccabonk1 4 ай бұрын

Thanks so much! I’m trading in my 2015 VW CC SE for the Taos SEL tomorrow. I’ve only driven VWs my entire life!

@sydneylyons6711 Ай бұрын

Are you happy with it?? I’m in the process of buying one!

@leprechaungangster56 7 ай бұрын

Families are getting smaller but the trucks keep getting bigger. I don't get it myself. I'm holding onto my Jetta Sportwagen as long as I can. 175k, please let me make it to a quarter million!

@michel5369 4 ай бұрын

Although I agree with the sentiment, this one at least isn't huge by any means. It's about as big as my Ford Focus hatchback.

@cgmiddle 3 ай бұрын

The size of American families may be getting smaller, but the children are getting much fatter.

@user-yi7zj3lv5t 7 ай бұрын

i cant say everyone wants a crossover when its the only thing the industry pushes. they dont even make vans or wagons which people proabably would get instead if it wasnt for all their upselling to suvs

@simon8863 7 ай бұрын

As a VW salesperson, tons of our customers hate the Taos and looking for standard mk8 Golf hatchback. Ppl got no choice to go with Taos with lower interest rate tbh 🤦‍♂️

@HelloRoad 7 ай бұрын

😭

@michel5369 4 ай бұрын

It's a nice car but I do wish it had a bit more power. 10-15 more hp?

@DoubleH2279 2 ай бұрын

This feels like a literal lifted golf, both in looks and driving

@mattdeboer9 7 ай бұрын

The existence of the Taos makes me wonder why the Tiguan is still in Volkswagens lineup. You don’t get much more with the Tiguan. Yea it has more power technically, but the DSG in the Taos makes it feel more peppy than the Tiguan. The cargo space difference is so minimal you would barely notice. Overall, the Taos offers way more value in my opinion and don’t see a spot in the lineup for the Tiguan. Maybe if it had a DSG option it would make sense, but I wouldn’t be surprised if VW drops it after this generation.

@halfemptyfox 2 ай бұрын

I mainly just want hatchbacks/sedans/wagons but the Taos is the only suv that i am interested in due to safety and i dont really think of them as great. Something about the top trim Taos speaks to me though. I have a Golf GTI on my possible list, and a Jetta GLI too, but the Taos is a bit convincing just because of comfort. Its also not Tiguan sized and it will be easy to use in a city. I also dont see many, and i plan on buying mine in the bright blue colour if i can

@judithmilbourne5196 6 ай бұрын

Im keeping my 2014 VW beetle. I’m sad manual transmissions are gone (06 Jetta was so fun to drive), station wagons and Passats, TDI’s 😭😭😭😭 this Taos looks like the best option for family of 5 n price. The amount of times of almost collisions w the beetle because of SUVs and Huge TX Trucks don’t bother to look.

@MatthewLarsen 7 ай бұрын

The amount of times you say "it's fine" in this review...

@HelloRoad 7 ай бұрын

Please don't take a tequila shot every time I say "it's fine"

@youtubehandle0 7 ай бұрын

Consumer Reports' rating of the 2024 Taos isn't very encouraging. They are based on owners' experience on the 2023 and older models. But makes me wonder if VW really fixed those issues in the 2024 model. I am not a car expert but someone who is pointed out that "It’s a 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder with only direct injection and a timing belt dipped in oil?!?!? So you’ll have an expensive timing belt service eventually around 60-100k miles and have carbon buildup potentially on the valves." FWD model is better than AWD? Because FWD has the 8-speed transmission. AWD has a 7-speed dual clutch unit that could give more issues especially if highway driving is minimal.

@markothepianist 4 ай бұрын

CR is crap.

@flomast3r Ай бұрын

Final Score: It's fiiiine... If you like that kinda thing.

@craig9843 3 ай бұрын

Im sad there is no diesel. I love those. They need to come back old school.

@philipmacrae7435 4 ай бұрын

All wheel drive is the best

@D_Roadtrip_Productions 6 ай бұрын

i own a '23 VW Jetta SEL - it's my best baby. and the engine is the same.

@rileyhance318 3 ай бұрын

Somehow both less efficient while being smaller than the jetta with the same drivetrain

@fredonia81 2 ай бұрын

Its astonishing that we as a society have gone back to bigger cars!! A wise man would think we should be going smaller!!!!

@mattalki 6 ай бұрын

Great review, though you listed the AWD values for fuel economy (FWD is 28/36). I drive a mk7 Golf, and I've been thinking about swapping it for something a bit larger (as I get older, the idea becomes more appealing). I might have outgrown my hatchback!

@HelloRoad 6 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching, and thanks for catching that!

@russianbear0027 7 ай бұрын

I was considering a golf in the next five years. Its a pity that its replacement is so much bigger and heavier. I dont like the high ride heights and drover position of all these crossovers. It always makes me feel like i'm driving a van and need to fear rolling over

@katiecannon8186 4 ай бұрын

Get a GTI base trim.

@katiecannon8186 4 ай бұрын

Unless you have 3 kids, why would anyone get this over a GTI? There’s literally no reason. Unless you like vehicles that aren’t nearly as much fun to drive.

@andrewdrennan9436 3 ай бұрын

The Golf line lives on in the GTI and R models.

@anarky4321 5 ай бұрын

Crossovers took over a long time ago

@tonyl7286 7 ай бұрын

VW Taos formula: lift the Golf, dont bother with engineering at all to keep costs down, add some trim, +5000 MSRP, and people will line up to buy it. Don't hate the player, hate the game. VW is just cashing-in on crossover infatuation.

@Tarkov. 7 ай бұрын

I would bet that they like the fake exhaust because it doesn't get dirty, the way that it would if there were a real one in that spot. Seen way too many old white VW's with a big soot stain on its butt lol.

@sted88 5 ай бұрын

I completely understand VW wanting to get into the crossover market from a business perspective. But the fact that this replaced the golf is a travesty. The golf does 95% of what a crossover can do at a fraction of the price after considering the price of the car, lower insurance, better fuel economy. My mk7 golf was the best car i’ve ever driven and thanks to the flat-fold-down seats actually fit MORE than my wife’s compact crossover. This obsession with Crossovers is 100% a biproduct of the car industry’s heavy marketing of SUVs for better profit margins. People don’t feel safe driving a small compact car when they are surrounded by a sea of giant SUVs and trucks. Crossovers offer the illusion of safety (would still get crushed by a full size SUV) at a lower price that still greatly benefits the manufacturers profits while being worse for the environment and not even being that much more convenient for consumers. lose-lose for society 👎🏼

@fredonia81 4 ай бұрын

Couldn’t agree with you more! We as a society are fooling ourselves thinking that electric vehicles are the answer!! It would be reasonable to think that we should be going to smaller cars with the technology we now have that has worked very well for 100 years! I firmly believe diesel hybrid is the best option in a smaller wagon or hatchback.

@johnlocke3481 Ай бұрын

I literally wouldn’t pay $20k for a fully loaded one of these

@genxpilot69 20 күн бұрын

Dated design

@katendra88 Ай бұрын

And it used regular gas.

@jlcii 7 ай бұрын

I'll tell you one area where a super small car isn't fun, if you get T-boned in it. Particularly, buy something like an F-150 or a 2500 pickup. Fun facts, that's why a lot of people have been going with crossovers in SUVs now. They want to feel safe in the event they get into a collision with a larger size vehicle. Understandable

@thebluexb 7 ай бұрын

The Taos is just so bland! One of these in Cornflower Blue is nice, but its hard to pick this over so many other small crossovers on the market that are more exciting and interesting looking.

@HelloRoad 7 ай бұрын

Yeah this drab gray color isn't doing the car any favors! This is indeed a very plain/subdued/conservative design.

@61chickens 7 ай бұрын

Strikes me as rather spectacularly dull I'm afraid Ethan. Is it even available in any actual colours? 😐

@HelloRoad 7 ай бұрын

Blue and red. But nothing really that interesting!

@andrewdrennan9436 3 ай бұрын

They've had the Taos project for some years now (2018 release), and in the domestic US and NA since 2020. They didn't "just come into the fray last year". Better editing and proofreading!

@michealknox5554 7 ай бұрын

Sorry, but Volkswagens are dead boring.

@cgmiddle 3 ай бұрын

Perhaps, you are not allowed to buy one, so why do you care?

@katiecannon8186 4 ай бұрын

Sooooooo tired of SUVs. Especially since they just keep getting bigger & bigger.

@craig9843 3 ай бұрын

You don’t have to buy one.

@katiecannon8186 3 ай бұрын

@@craig9843 Well, actually, we’re rapidly getting rid of everything except SUVs and trucks. So there’s that

@craig9843 3 ай бұрын

@@katiecannon8186 i guess I’m uninformed?

@cgmiddle 3 ай бұрын

You are one of three idiots nationwide who feel that way. We all love SUVs. They bring joy and satisfaction to our lives. Please comply and be part of the SUVs culture in America. We demand that you comply.

@infernoking7504 7 ай бұрын

I hate crossovers there all so dam ugly at our place we have 1988 lincoln town car 2017 toyota camary 2006 honda civic and 2007 honda fit and soon 2007 chevy 1500 4x4 I will never own a crossover.