Taos' exterior makeover has been dramatic. Picture: Volkswagen USA
Less than a month before its fourth year of continuous production, Volkswagen has removed the wraps from the heavily updated Taos that opens-up its SUV range in North America.
The Americanised version of the Tharu sold in China, and therefore related to but not a rebadged version of the T-Cross, the Mexican-made Toas not only gains a complete aesthetic overhaul, but also drivetrain changes in the form of a new transmission.
Conforming to a styling language derived from the new Tiguan, the Taos’ external changes comprise a thinner grille and new LED headlights connected by a central illuminated light bar, a new bumper and a more prominent air intake.
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At the rear, the Tiguan touches continue in the design of light clusters, now also connected by an illuminated light bar. As with the front, the Volkswagen badge at the rear gains illumination.
Riding on new alloy wheels measuring between 17 and 19-inches, the Toas retains the black styling package as an option on the mid-range SE, but with a choice of three new body colours; Momentum Grey, Monterey Blue Pearl and the depicted Bright Moss Green.
While the MQB platform goes without any change, inside, all models – the base S, SE and top-spec SEL – jettison the integrated 6.5-inch and eight-inch infotainment systems for a new freestanding eight-inch complete with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
While cloth upholstery features on the S and imitation leather-and-cloth on the SE, the SEL boasts black, grey or blue leather seats, with the final change being the new touch-sensitive panel for climate control on all grades. The 12.3-inch digital instrument is, however, standard across all grades.
As with the Jetta, Volkswagen’s I.Q. Drive range of safety and driver assistance systems are included on all derivatives from the start.
These comprise front and rear parking sensors, Lane Keep Assist, Forward Collision Warning, Blind Spot Monitoring, Adaptive Cruise Control, Automatic Emergency Braking, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Change Assist and semi-autonomous Travel Assist.
Up front, the 1.5 TSI Evo engine has been kept, but fitted with a larger intercooler, updated piston rings and fuel injectors, a new particulate filter and a revised turbo housing to produce 128 kW from the previous 118 kW.
While torque seemingly appears unchanged at 250 Nm, its delivery to the front or all four wheels now goes via an eight-speed Tiptronic gearbox in place of the seven-speed DSG.
Set to go on-sale before the end of the year, the Taos will remain bound to North America as plans to offer the T-Cross never received consideration to its sizes, engines and focus on Europe.
As such, the Toas will also not be available in South Africa as, apart from being left-hand-drive, it would have possibly clashed with the T-Cross on price had been sold locally.
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