The 2023 Volkswagen Taos goes big in all the right ways — space, fuel economy, technology, and luxury — in a sub-compact SUV body.

New Engine, New Life

“Perky’ is one adjective that stands out in our notebook from our most recent test of the Taos. That’s thanks to a small-but-willing engine and the driving manners that only come from a vehicle engineered on European roads.” – Matt Degen, KBB

The 2023 Volkswagen Taos is powered by the automaker’s new turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine. It delivers 158 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, no matter if it is paired with front-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission or 4MOTION all-wheel drive and a seven-speed automatic transmission.

The Taos offers a peppier and more fun drive than its many rivals. For drivers who really care about driving, this is a huge selling point. Behind the wheel of the Taos, you will feel so great that you’ll want to take the long way home. And it will not cost you an arm and a leg to do so either — the Taos boasts 8.4 L/100km city and 6.6 L/100km highway fuel economy.

Sleek and Simple

“Volkswagen’s smallest SUV is a big deal. The Taos packs plenty of modern tech and safety features into a tidy package. It also has excellent passenger and cargo space… Overall this is one of the most well-rounded and family-friendly offerings in the class.” – Alex Nishimoto, Edmunds

The interior of the 2023 Taos matches that of Volkswagen’s other models. It is sleek and simple, with a place for everything and everything in its place. There are no superfluous knobs or buttons, making it easy to change the temperature or audio settings.

All models of the Taos come with Digital Cockpit, which is Volkswagen’s fancy way of saying an all-digital instrument cluster to display vehicle information. There is also a slick-looking and easy-to-operate infotainment system displayed on an 8.0-inch touchscreen that comes standard with a Wi-Fi hotspot and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration.

While most subcompact SUVs are not known for their cargo capacity, the 2023 Volkswagen Taos states its capability loudly and proudly. With the rear seat folded, the Taos offers over 1850 L of space for groceries, suitcases, sports equipment, and more.

The design language of the 2023 Volkswagen Taos matches that of its bigger siblings — the Atlas and the Tiguan. Just like its interior, the exterior keeps things sleek and simple.

Safe and Sound

Volkswagen introduced the Taos as an all-new vehicle for the 2022 model year, which means that not many new features were added for 2023. However, Volkswagen did add new standard driver-assist technologies to every 2023 Taos model to provide drivers and passengers with more peace of mind. This includes forward automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.

Subcompact But Not Subpar

“The 2023 Volkswagen Taos is a well-rounded SUV that offers a gentle ride, responsive handling, good fuel economy, and a capable engine.” – Noelle Riddle, U.S. News & World Report

The 2023 Volkswagen Taos, named after the popular New Mexico resort/ski town, lives up to its name as a fun-loving, adventurous SUV that’s up for anything. Small on the outside, the Taos offers big surprises in the form of space, function, capability, and fuel economy. Drivers seeking a vehicle that easily fits five passengers and plenty of cargo will be smitten with the Taos.

If you’re interested in test-driving a 2023 Volkswagen Taos, please click the button below. Depending on current conditions, traditional test drives may not be available, so we’ll contact you to discuss what is possible. Thank you in advance for your understanding and patience.

Please Note: The details of this article were accurate at the time it was written. Manufacturers may change the details of any vehicle’s specifications at any time without notice.