Used 2023 Volkswagen Taos Consumer Reviews
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Jetta SUV
As satisfied Jetta owners over the years we weren't all that surprised with our Taos since it's an SUV built around a Jetta engine. We get the same great 40+ mpg on the highway with decent acceleration and handling for its class. We just got back from a 2500 mile road trip grateful for the comfort it provided both driver and passenger! Road view is excellent with minimal blind spots. Even the basic sound system is a cut above what we expected for this price point. Cockpit noise is a little on the louder side, but we just turned up the music. Another plus for our road trip was the ample storage space in this vehicle. Simply amazing! After years of satisfied Jetta ownership, we look forward to the same with the Taos.
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Fuel leak
I leased a 2023 Taos sel top of the line and only a month old it had a fuel smell in the cabin. Dealer said they did not smell anything on drop off. we left it their because fuel smell can be a dangerous situation. They called me later today and said it needs a fuel line and it is on intergalactic back order. we got lucky enough to get a loaner car what a drag.
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- S 4dr SUVMSRP: $19,99577 mi away
- SE 4dr SUVMSRP: $23,055In-stock online
- SEL 4dr SUVMSRP: $22,300In-stock online
Love My Taos
2023 S Model, seems all issues have been ironed out. Windows still roll down on occasion when you select up but seems to be an overall volkswagen thing. Very sleek good looking SUV. Run it in sport mode, quick and fast acceleration when needed especially for a 4 cylinder. Roomy, Spacious SUV. Very happy with my purchase.
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Very disappointing!
As a veteran Volkswagen owner, I was initially enthusiastic about the Taos. I liked the size, the interior, etc. However, besides the "lazy" transmission and the rough and noisy ride, I've had three occurrences in six months where the car slows down and the lights go on. After the first time, service simply reset the codes. The second time a patch was put on the software. After the third time, an additive was put in the gas tank. VW tells me that they can't determine the cause of the problem unless it occurs when they're driving the car. I've decided that the car is not safe and am !'m going to sell it.
1000 miles and already in the service department
I purchased my new 2023 Taos on Christmas eve. Drove it off the lot with 10 miles on it. 1 week later within the first 5 miles of my morning drive the dash lit up like a Christmas tree, it slowed its self down and I had to call a tow truck. VW was refusing to give me a loaner car in the meantime until I made a few phone calls. They said they have to replace the fuel pump.
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Great all around vehicle
Got the base model S The good: Drive is fun, very responsive, turbocharged, spacious interior, seats are ok, no glass roof, great gas mileage (32mpg winter, 39mpg summer), and the price. The not so good: Front seat Manual adjustment very limited, the rear seats do not lay totally flat when in down position The tires the taos came with (goodyear) are not great in rain nor snow, they are good on dry pavement The bad: Headlights are incredibly poor at night, they don't project more than 15 feet, need to use bright at night in rural setting, this is specific to the base model, borderline dangerous from personal driving experience. Over all: Better than most cheap small suvs, best compromise between power gas mileage, interior space/comfort, handling, responsiveness, and power (keep in mind it's a 1.5 liter engine), easy to park, great every day city driving vehicle, very good on the freeway as well.
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Traded a 2021 GTI in on the Taos and am glad I did
Closing in on a year of ownership. It has a 11,000 on it now and has been trouble free. Long term MPG varies between 35-36 and it will regularly hit 40-41 on the interstate at 73mph. Milage is so good it doesn't make sense to go hybrid. When I went in for it's first oil change it got a software update. The thing I noticed after a couple of days is that the lane keeping wasn't on at startup like usual. you can turn it on from the steering wheel which is nice since I only use it on the interstate. It's comfortable and quiet making long trips much nicer.
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Great value for the price and fuel efficient!
So far I'm very happy with the car. Comfortable even for a 6'5" 300 lbs driver, tons of space, the mpg efficiency is even better than advertised as I get almost 40 mpg on highway and about 34 mpg in the city. It has everything you need in terms of safety features, brakes are great and it stops on a dime, it has great stability, maneuverability, and reacts quickly. Wishing more out of a $24k car seems out of line, but I wish it was a bit quieter (road noise) and the interior could be a bit less plastic. Overall, it surpasses my expectations by a lot.
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Worst car I've ever owned
I had a VW that I was happy with so I decided to go with the '23 Taos SE. Everything about this car really sucks. These are my thoughts I have on this car in the year I owned it before trading it in. First off, the electrical system in my Taos was very bad. Almost a third of the time I would try to roll my driver window up, and it would go down instead, or I would try to roll it down more and nothing would happen. So many times it would roll down when I would try to roll it up, and I did the reset and so did the dealership, which did nothing. When you press the horn, there is this slight delay before you hear anything, like an electronic delay, same when you let go of the brakes, it takes a split second before the brake lights turn off. Now with the way it drives. You hit the acceleration and you get a solid one second lag before the car even responds. My brakes had to be replaced during my 10k oil change because of how bad they were grinding. Something I really hated about this car was how the car lurches and jerks forward when you press the gas, even when you drive with a light foot. It was the absolute worst in the rain (there is one month of rain total where I live so I opted for FWD), and any time I would accelerate from a stop, my tires would skid and feel as if I was hydroplaning and my traction control lights would come on. There were few other reasons I had in addition to these major faults for trading in my car but it wasn't until I got a different car that I realized just how poorly made the Taos is. Worst quality car like the entire car was built as an afterthought that VW had. It's an attractive car but it wasn't ready and clearly rushed to market or they just didn't care about the quality of this one. I traded it in at 17k miles but at 16k miles my remote start stopped working and shortly after the check engine light came on and it was something with the EVAP system with the external air intake being stuck, I wish I could remember what it was exactly, but nonetheless I don't expect repairs like this in the first 20k miles at least. A lot about the car just felt so cheap, not just the parts inside the car but the engine, the way it sounded, the way it felt, the shuddering at low speeds in stop and go traffic, the jerkiness and sluggish performance. The tech is underwhelming and the driver assistance is terrible, like they used the cheapest and worst sensors that weren't good enough for the Tiguan on this Taos. In the morning when I would start my Taos and drive, there would be a sound of a squeaky wheel, not sure what this sound was but it's a cheap sound you don't expect your brand new German-made car to make. Everything about this car I really wanted to love and it just fell so short. And these tires love to screech at corners and when you take off from a stop. It's like the car is too light to handle the torque but then the HP and torque itself are quite weak so the car as a whole is just a really big bummer. I guess this could be a nice car for a brand new driver but only if you don't care about reliability or safety. The only thing I enjoyed about this car was the way it handled in dry weather on a paved road, but what's the point when it fails in the rain and is not a car you can count on. I hope their next generation of this car they can get right but I went with another SUV and am so glad I did. I don't think I'll get another VW moving forward. Not sure what's going on but it seems like quality or reliability is not something they care about.
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I love my baby Atlas!
I think the Edmunds reviewer did a great job describing what the Taos is. I love the handling, space, tech, fuel economy and looks. I have the AWD version and have averaged 29 mpg to date. The transmission is lazy with a bias for fuel economy, but I'm used to the DSG from my Golf GTI, so I know how to take over and get the most out of the engine. I just really love the car and am happy with the purchase. I'm not an SUV person, and this car is great.
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Feels more like a Station wagon.
I recently got the 2023 Taos as company fleet car. It replaced a 2019 Hyandai Tucson. As a service technician, cargo space is critical. The Taos doesn't quite have the rear cargo capacity as the Tucson, but it's not a deal breaker. Volkswagen should consider a totally flat load floor like the others. (Ford, GM, Hyandai). The HVAC controls are excellent. Volkswagen uses the simple, tried and true physical dial knobs. There are plenty of fan speed settings (more than I've ever seen in any other vehicle). But the Infotainment system as a whole, isn't as nearly intuitive as the Hyandai, or my wife's 2018 Equinox. The phone and Bluetooth are a bit more cumbersome to get used to. On the other hand, the Radio/ Bluetooth, music sound system is absolutely first rate. As a somewhat audiophile person, the Taos Soundsystem is a total joy to listen to. The car warms up amazingly fast on the coldest of winter mornings. In early February, we had zero to sub zero mornings, and the Taos was blowing warm air within 1.5 miles when driving with no pre-warmup. That's right up there with the Chevy Equinox. The Hyandai literally took 15-20 miles, before it blew warm enough to make the cabin comfortable. Nice job by Volkswagen on the large display though, and the way they angled it towards the driver. I don't know where the car is built, but it definitely has German DNA stamped in it. You can feel it the minute you enter the car and shut the door. And then when you begin driving it, it's DNA really shines. The drivetrain is silky smooth, and very responsive. Acceleration is instantly quick, smooth and linear. It's much, much better than the Hyandai, and I mean it's not even close. I had to set the speed warning to 70 mph, because the car accelerates so smoothly and easily, that before you know it, you're going well over the speed limit. It reminds me of a BMW 300 series that a friend had over 40 years ago. No kidding. The power heated seats were very well done with the sewn inserts. Finding a good driving position was easy. The heated, beautifully done leather wrapped steering wheel is a nice touch. I found the sticker price paperwork in the glove box, and it's a $29,000.00 car. Is it worth that? I don't know, I don't buy new cars, I only buy used vehicles. From all the company fleet vehicles I've driven, and personal ones too, the Taos is an excellent car. If I were looking for a service vehicle I probably wouldn't get this car. It's seems a bit too nice for a service vehicle. But if I were personally shopping for a nice compact station wagon, I'd seriously consider it. I say station wagon, because the Taos drives, and sits lower than most SUV/CUV's. To me it's a station wagon. And that's not necessarily a bad thing.
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What a Surprise - Taos
The car rides and drives extremely well. I am averaging 38 mpg on the highway at posted speeds. My transmission appears to work best in ECO and Super modes. The regular mode appears to be more jurky. ECO works perfectly for me. I have no problems accelerating and getting up to speed. The car is comfortable and has an up-scale feel about it. The fit and finish is excellent. I have the S model and it feels like i am driving a luxury car. The base stereo is outstanding. The only complaint is over 70 mph the road noise is noticeable. However, the engine is always quiet and composed. The car never feels underpowered. I chose this SUV over the Tiguan - even I was surprised. So far it has been great.
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So far I love it!
I’ve had the 2023 VW Taos SE AWD for about a week now and I love it. It’s a great size where you can fit a decent amount of cargo but it’s still very nimble and easy to maneuver. Can’t speak to reliability just yet but I have owned a few VWs in the past without any issues. I really like how VW styled the Taos and made it look like a mini Atlas. Some people in other reviews have said the DC transmission is clunky and sometimes doesn’t choose the correct gear but so far I haven’t had any issues.
All Taos are lemon cars !
2023 VW Taos is the worst car i have ever owned ! Rear brakes and Rotors were replaced twice, noise front suspension and the dealer can’t figure out the problem, windows go up if you push it down , strange noise coming from the engine , car stalls when waiting at a red light and the list goes on ! Given how good and reliable German cars are, VW should be ashamed of having unsafe cars on the road . Who ever is looking to buy a VW my advice is stay away from the Taos !!!
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Traded after 1 year. This car is possessed.
Update 10/2023: Traded in my Taos after a year of ownership and 10, 200 miles for a different make. Too many issues: Drivetrain squeaking in cold weather (pretty sure it was a faulty torque converter or PCV valve, dealer could not duplicate after 6 visits). Windows malfunctioned and rolled back down when pulling the window switch up. Heat would come out of the vents when rolling windows down, even in the summer. (Yes the fan knob was set to off position). None of my other cars did this. Pushing recirculate was the only way to fix it or by turning the AC on. Transmission (8-spd.) jerked when letting off after a stop and was never smooth. There was always an abnormal vibrating/pulsating sensation when getting up to speed. Brakes would grind when I needed to stop more suddenly (was supposed to get new rotors, 7 moths went by and dealership never got them in). Please believe consumer reports low review of this car. I didn’t listen and made a huge mistake. Lesson learned. I will never, ever, ever own or recommend a VW product again as long as I live. Stay far away. You will have problems, I didn’t think I would. Original review: I too was pulled in by the good styling. Don’t be fooled! I have only owned it for about 5 months. -Pros: Crisp, lively steering, smooth ride, excellent MPG (up to 40 city and highway: varies), safety features w/ IQ package, styling, solid feel, auto high beams, -Cons: (keep reading…) This is my first new car. Drove 3 hours with my family to get it. Have the IQ Drive package. Dealer charged us a $1,000 inventory fee. Should have stopped the deal then. Anyway this car has had several odd issues right off the bat. It squeaks whenever I accelerate: in cold weather mostly. It is a horrible high pitched squeaking, squealing or even whistling sound, that drives me mad! Drove with a tech and he claimed it was a sensor, I didn’t buy that. The sound stops immediately when I take my foot off the accelerator. I believe it is drivetrain and/or transmission related. Update: Have not heard squeaking this summer as much. Came back at the start of the cold season when temps dropped to the 60’s and below. Of course the Taos we test drove did not exhibit the issue. While at that service appointment, I heard a woman in line in front of me telling the service manager that she only had 20,000 miles on her Taos and that she had to fill the coolant 3 times. Not good. That is a sure sign of head gasket failure. I avoided buying an older Cadillac b/c of known head gasket issues, and what do you know, Volkswagen has head gasket issues too. Wonderful. As bad as the possible head gasket issue is, nothing is worse to me than the awful squeaking I hear when I drive this car. I have taken it in 3 times to the dealer for this issue only to be given nonsense excuses. I have never, ever, heard a car make such a sound when it accelerates, and I have driven in cars with over 200,000 miles. And my last car, a Ford, had 80,000 miles with no issues or strange noises. This sound is NOT normal and is absolutely unacceptable in a brand new vehicle. I become nauseated every time I hear it. The heat also turns on whenever I roll the windows down (no matter the outside temperature). That is, whenever the windows roll the correct direction. When pulling up on the window switch, the window will start to roll back down or vise versa. I also get an alert and chime every time the temperature is 40 degrees. Just stupid! Also, if you accidentally hold the unlock button in your pocket for a few seconds all the windows roll down. Came out to the car one night and every window was down, what an opportunity for thieves. Looked it up and it’s actually a feature for hot summer days. What a stupid feature! Get the mechanicals right before you add useless features to the car like that. Again, this was my FIRST BRAND NEW car. Saddened in VW. We owned an ‘03 Jetta years ago (also purchased new) that left my family members stranded multiple times. Once, was a few moths into ownership. We swore we would never purchase another VW again. The old saying rings true: “Fool me once, fool me twice.”
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Amazing!
I love this car! It is super fun to drive and the seats are very comfy, making longer trips easy and enjoyable. It doesn’t feel as big as it is inside also which I appreciate. It has power and a good turning radius which makes driving easy. I recommend this car!
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A lot of bang for the Buck!
Taos S AWD... Beautifully designed car with lots of cargo and passenger room. A bit of s high level of cockpit noise during driving on rough roads, but otherwise nice to drive... A bit disappointed that some of the STD options were not included due to component shortages, but otherwise very pleased with the car and the price..
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Taos for all
This have been one of the best little suv on the market
Good car, poorly built
I’m usually biased towards vw because it’s the only car brand I stick too. This would be my 4th vw, in the 5 years. I had the 2022 Jetta highline and I prefer the Jetta anytime. I love the Taos, love the size, panoramic roof and space. But this is basically just a jettas big sister, everything is the same except the size obviously because it’s an suv. But I noticed they cheaper out on the Taos compared to the Jetta, no memory seats, and the insulation in this car is horrible, I live in Canada and after autostarting my car 4 times, I would get in and the car is cold and take about 10-15mins to warm up during the winter. When you close the doors of the Taos you hear a loud metal sound because they never put rubber linings on the edges of the door, I’m guessing that’s how the cold leaks into the car, the heating system is poor, it either gets too hot or too cold never a good balance. My car seems to always disconnect from my CarPlay or in other words never really connects to my car play at times and I’d have to restart the whole stereo, and noticed when I customize my own cockpit dash it would change it to something else the next day. So I ended up just leaving it to what the car would prefer it to look like. But I still love the car, looks great, love the 19inch black wheel, the bar light and IQ lights. Just feel vw could’ve done better for the price this car goes for. Still loyal to vw and love their cars, affordable German cars to have if you are on a budget, but I feel they can do a lot better with their cars compared to their competition.
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It the reviewer smoking something?
This car is crap, please join the VW Taos page on facebook for the truth. Dangerous sudden surging of the turbo while braking, cheap interior plastic. Blown head gaskets on cars under 10k miles, recall on brakes and rotors ( this happened under 5k miles). Seat has no lumbar support, radio that stops working for no reason. When that happens you have to turn off and on the car. Has torque but horrible acceleration. Standard model has no tint, manual seat controls, seats that stain even if water spills on it. Constantly monitoring the antifreeze and the oil levels. Goes low all the time. Have to slam the trunk hard or dashboard constantly says not closed. This one is a big pet peeve for me. That God it's a lease and I get to give it back.
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I AM SO GLAD 😀 Rated #1 in its Class!
I love my 2023 Taos SE 4Motion! It has all the features that make it so fun to drive! Love the panoramic sunroof, and more importantly the 30+ mpg is fantastic! CarPlay, Assistive cruise control, and Bluetooth are great 👍! No Wonder Edmunds rated this car #1 ONE in its class! Feels like an SEL !
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Teutonic efficiency
All business not a lot of clutter, good size and reasonable power.
Got some pep!!
It’s got so much room. Seats fold down to give my dog lots of room.
Volkswagen Taos 2023
This car feels premium and looks handsome. It’s quiet and comfortable, but fun and agile. Purchased the SEL 4Motion in pure gray.
Uncomfortable
The seats on the base model are extremely uncomfortable with less padding than the competition. Technically features are frustrating and unreliable. You will not be able to lock the doors, on the switch, as you step out as doors as doors must be locked with fob when they are closed. Cell phones are unpaired frequently and have to be repaired. I set up favorites and they were forgotten the next day. MPG is not as great as advertised. The MPG monitor on the information system fluctuates from 10 to 200 mpg, so the gage is worthless. Wifi is offered via a 3rd party but I have to disconnect it to receive texts and emails on my cell phone. In energy saving mode the air conditioner turns off in idle. The good thing about the Taos is that it's cheap, and that's about it.
Great Car!
My first new Volkswagen and it drive perfectly! Love the handling and interior styling. It also has more features in the base trim than its Japanese rivals.
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Great Vehicle!
Great Car! Easy to drive, and great interior quality. Surely better than its European rivals. Would choose this again if I buy a new car!
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Better than the ford Explorer which I gave up
At half the price of most others and performance is excellent. Pick your best comparison and then go drive one. THE SE TRIM LEVEL IS THE BEST ONE even includes all the options and a heated steering wheel for cold winter days. Really cheap price!
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Fits Like A Glove
Fits all our needs. Economical and roomy for a small SUV. No issues so far.
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Beautiful and strong SUV
We love Taos SE! Its shape is beautiful, and the metal is strong!! I enjoying driving it, it’s so easy to control. There are 6 cylinders, very smooth transmission from gear to gear! Beth comfortable yo drive!!!
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