The 2022 Taos is expected to arrive at dealers nationwide in June, but in the meantime, Volkswagen has released official pricing and specifications for the new subcompact SUV. Positioned under the Tiguan, the small SUV is offered in three trim levels, the S, SE and SEL, with pricing starting at US$ 22,995, excluding a US$ 1,195 destination charge. This makes the entry-level variant US$ 965 more affordable than the 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport, which is one of its main rivals in the segment.

Standard features from the get-go on the front wheel drive version include LED exterior lighting, 17-inch wheels, roof rails, a 6.5-inch screen for the infotainment system, Bluetooth, an 8-inch digital cockpit display and reversing camera. The 4Motion AWD version, which is offered from US$ 25,040, adds heated front seats, heated windshield washer nozzles and heated side mirrors.

 

Available from US$ 27,245 with FWD and US$ 28,695 with AWD, the 2022 Taos SE brings extra gear. These include larger 18-inch wheels, silver roof rails and body-colored side mirror casings instead of the base version’s black colored kit, a larger 8-inch infotainment system, enhanced audio, wireless smartphone charging pad, an extra USB-C port raising the number to three, and SiriusXM sat-radio with 3-month subscription. It also features cloth and leatherette upholstery, heated front seats with power adjustment for the driver, keyless entry & go, and rear privacy windows.

Moving up to the SEL models priced from US$ 31,490 with FWD and US$ 33,045 with AWD, you get black 18-inch wheels on the former and 19-inch machined wheels on the latter. LED adaptive headlamps, an illuminated grille, 10.25-inch digital dials, leather seating surfaces, BeatsAudio sound system, ambient lighting, dual-zone climate control and ventilated front seats (AWD only) are standard here too.

 

Customers can further option each grade of the 2022 Taos, with the US$ 995 IQ.Drive package on the S that brings extra safety gear, with added features for the SE and SEL (standard) grades. The mid-spec model can be ordered with US$ 395 18-inch black wheels and a US$ 1,200 panoramic sunroof. The latter is also available for the range-topper, with an identical price.

All versions of the Taos are powered exclusively by a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine delivering 158 HP and 250 Nm of torque, paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive or a seven-speed DSG and all-wheel drive.