2022 Volkswagen Taos Interior – A Compact SUV with Surprising Space and Comfort

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos enters the market as VW's new compact SUV. It's designed to fit just under the Tiguan in size but without compromising on interior quality. With a spacious cabin and lots of tech, the Taos aims to attract drivers looking for an affordable SUV with solid features. Let’s take a closer look at the interior design, comfort, and potential drawbacks, while offering some helpful insights into what makes this car worth your consideration.

Overview of the 2022 Volkswagen Taos Interior

Inside the Taos, Volkswagen offers a surprisingly roomy cabin for a vehicle in the subcompact SUV class. The interior focuses on user-friendly controls and practical design—everything is within easy reach. VW’s modern approach shows up with intuitive tech features, a clean dashboard layout, and soft-touch materials where it counts. Even though it's a smaller vehicle, space optimization is one of the highlights.

Let’s break down the different aspects of the interior and how it stacks up against the competition.

Cabin Space and Layout

The Volkswagen Taos pulls off something many compact SUVs struggle with: creating a sense of openness. The cabin has a light, airy feel thanks to the smart use of materials and thoughtful placement of controls.

• Front Row: The seats are supportive and offer a fair range of adjustability, with available power settings and lumbar support on higher trims. Both the driver and passenger can enjoy comfortable armrests and ample legroom.
• Rear Seats: One of the Taos’s best features is its rear-seat space. Compared to rivals like the Mazda CX-30 or Toyota C-HR, the Taos offers more rear legroom and headroom, making it suitable for taller passengers or small families.
• Cargo Space: Behind the rear seats, you get 27.9 cubic feet of cargo room. Fold the seats down, and it expands to 66.3 cubic feet, making it one of the leaders in its class.

Alex Collantes, a VW enthusiast, says, "What really impressed me was the amount of room in the back. It’s rare to find a compact SUV where passengers in the rear don’t feel cramped.”

Design and Materials

While the Taos keeps things relatively simple, Volkswagen ensures the interior feels solidly built. You won’t find ultra-luxury materials, but soft-touch plastics and sturdy stitching give it an upscale feel compared to some competitors in the same price range.

• Seats and Upholstery: The entry-level trims come with cloth seats, which are comfortable enough for daily driving. Higher trims upgrade to synthetic leather (Volkswagen calls it V-Tex leatherette) for a more premium touch.
• Dashboard and Touchpoints: The dashboard has a straightforward design with physical buttons for climate control, giving it an easy-to-use feel without over-relying on touchscreens.

However, some may find that Volkswagen cut corners on the door panels. Hard plastics in certain places, especially on the rear doors, can detract from the overall premium feel. This is where competitors like the Hyundai Kona, which offers more soft-touch surfaces, can outshine the Taos.

Technology and Infotainment System

When it comes to tech, Volkswagen equips the 2022 Taos with modern essentials, even at the base level. There’s a sense of practicality in the way the tech is implemented—drivers who prefer physical controls will appreciate the mix of traditional buttons and touchscreen options.

• Standard Features: An 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display is standard, supporting both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This means you get seamless smartphone integration without needing higher trims.
• Digital Cockpit: One of the highlights of the Taos interior is Volkswagen’s Digital Cockpit, a fully digital gauge cluster that replaces traditional dials. It’s customizable and helps the driver stay focused without feeling overwhelmed by information.
• Optional Upgrades: Higher trims add features like wireless charging, built-in navigation, and SiriusXM radio. There’s also an option for an upgraded BeatsAudio sound system if you’re someone who enjoys cranking up the music on road trips.

Potential Drawback: Infotainment Responsiveness

One minor drawback is that some users report lag when using the touchscreen, especially with wireless Apple CarPlay. While it isn’t a dealbreaker, it’s worth noting that VW's software isn’t quite as snappy as what you’d find in rivals like the Kia Seltos or Honda HR-V.

Comfort and Ride Quality

When it comes to comfort, the Taos delivers an overall smooth driving experience. The seats are supportive for both short commutes and long drives, but they don’t offer the same level of plushness you might find in a Nissan Rogue Sport or Subaru Crosstrek.

• Climate Control: The dual-zone climate control works efficiently, maintaining comfort even on longer trips.
• Noise Levels: Sound insulation is decent, although some road noise creeps in at higher speeds, especially on the highway.
• Sunroof Option: You can upgrade to a panoramic sunroof to make the cabin feel even more open and bright.

Potential Drawback: Firm Seat Cushions

Some drivers might find the seat cushions a bit on the firm side, especially if they’re used to softer, cushier seating options. This could be a drawback for those who prioritize seat comfort above all else.

Storage and Practicality

The Volkswagen Taos stands out with clever storage solutions and well-designed compartments that add practicality.

• Center Console: The center console is large enough to hold your essentials like phones and wallets.
• Door Pockets: Front and rear door pockets are spacious enough to store water bottles and other small items.
• Rear Seat Pass-Through: There’s even a pass-through in the rear seat for longer items, which makes it easy to load things like skis without folding the seats down.

Safety Features and Driver Assistance

Volkswagen equips the 2022 Taos with a suite of driver assistance technologies designed to enhance safety. Many of these features come as standard, even on the base model.

• Standard Safety Features:

  • Forward collision warning
  • Automatic emergency braking
  • Blind-spot monitoring
  • Rear cross-traffic alert

• Optional Safety Features:

  • Adaptive cruise control
  • Lane-keeping assist
  • Park assist

These features help the Taos compete with rivals in the safety category. However, the lane-keeping system can feel too sensitive at times, which some drivers find annoying on narrow roads.

Trims and Interior Differences

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos comes in three trims: S, SE, and SEL. Each trim offers slight differences in interior materials and features. Here’s a quick breakdown:

1. S Trim (Base):

   • Cloth seats
   • 6.5-inch touchscreen
   • Standard safety features

2. SE Trim (Mid-level):

   • V-Tex leatherette seats
   • 8-inch infotainment display
   • Wireless charging

3. SEL Trim (Top-tier):

   • Full Digital Cockpit
   • Premium BeatsAudio system
   • Ambient lighting

Conclusion – Is the 2022 Volkswagen Taos Interior Right for You?

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos offers a practical and comfortable interior that punches above its weight in the compact SUV segment. Spacious rear seating, a well-organized dashboard, and solid technology make it a strong contender for families and young professionals alike.

However, it’s not without its flaws. Some drivers might find the firm seat cushions uncomfortable, and the occasional infotainment lag could frustrate those who rely heavily on smartphone connectivity. But as Alex Collantes puts it, “For a compact SUV, the Taos really nails the balance between size, comfort, and practicality. It’s not perfect, but it’s way better than I expected at this price point.”

If you’re looking for an SUV that delivers a great combination of interior space, tech, and affordability, the Volkswagen Taos deserves a spot on your shortlist. It might not have the flashiest materials, but it makes up for that with a thoughtful design and everyday usability.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, the 2022 Volkswagen Taos interior offers great value for what you pay. Whether you’re running errands in the city or planning a weekend getaway, it’s a well-rounded compact SUV that brings comfort and practicality to the table. There are a few nitpicks here and there, but no car is without flaws. If you value space and functionality over luxury trimmings, the Taos won't disappoint.