Compact SUV Size, Peace Country Confidence.

The Taos keeps its styling clean and practical. A short front overhang and upright stance make it easy to see out of, and LED projector headlights with LED running lights are standard, plus dynamic cornering lights that brighten the road as you turn at intersections and on rural roads. AWD models have a 19.7-degree approach angle, a 25.8-degree departure angle and 193 mm of clearance, handy on acreage driveways and the gravel range roads around the County of Grande Prairie. The front-wheel-drive Trendline sits lower at 164 mm.

In 4MOTION form, the Taos is 4,467 mm long and 1,654 mm tall, with a 2,680 mm wheelbase (2,689 mm on the Trendline). Wheels range from 17-inch alloys on the Trendline to 18-inch designs in the middle of the lineup and 19-inch black alloys on the Black Edition, with a 19-inch package available on the Highline. Comfortline and Highline add privacy glass, chrome window trim and body-colour mirrors, LED taillights frame an illuminated rear logo, and the Black Edition offers five paint colours with a black roof, including Serrano Green and Cornflower Blue.

Every Taos has a Volkswagen Digital Cockpit and a centre touchscreen, and from the Comfortline up the cluster becomes the larger, configurable Digital Cockpit Pro. A heated leatherette steering wheel and leather shift knob are standard across the board. The 60/40 rear seat has a pass-through for skis or lumber, and AWD models hold 705 L behind the back seat or 1,705 L folded, while FWD models stretch that to 790 L and 1,866 L.

There’s 1,033 mm of front headroom and 1,011 mm in the back without the sunroof, and dual-zone climate and heated front seats come on every trim. The Trendline uses Dark Blue cloth, the Comfortline steps up to leatherette, chrome accents and an 8-way power driver’s seat, and the Highline adds leather and ventilated front seats. The Black Edition brings 10-colour ambient lighting and a standard panoramic sunroof.

The 1.5L TSI turbo four makes 174 hp and 184 lb-ft, runs on regular 87-octane fuel and includes start/stop and regenerative braking. With 4MOTION, it’s rated at 9.3 L/100 km city, 7.1 highway and 8.3 combined, with a 55 L tank. The FWD Trendline comes in at 8.8 city, 6.7 highway and 7.8 combined, with a 50 L tank, and that highway number is the one that counts on a Highway 43 run to Edmonton.

Every Taos uses an eight-speed automatic. The Trendline is front-wheel drive with a torsion-beam rear axle, while the Trendline 4MOTION, Comfortline, Black Edition and Highline all get all-wheel drive with an independent multi-link rear suspension. 4MOTION models add Driving Profile Selection with an ECO mode and Hill Descent Control. Hill Hold Assist is standard on every trim, and payload is 425 kg (937 lbs) across the lineup.

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come on every trim, along with Bluetooth, SiriusXM, USB-C fast-charging ports and Emergency Call Service. The myVW app unlocks connected services, including 3 years of Remote Access and 8 years of Safe & Secure. The Comfortline adds remote start, voice control, a wireless charging pad and keyless entry, and the Highline adds built-in navigation and a six-speaker premium audio system with a subwoofer.

Every 2027 Taos includes Front Assist emergency braking with pedestrian detection, Side Assist, Rear Traffic Alert and Travel Assist, which works with adaptive cruise, Lane Assist and Emergency Assist on long highway drives. From the Comfortline up you get Light Assist automatic high beams, a big help on dark rural roads, plus front and rear parking sensors and an alarm. The Highline also reads posted speed limits with Dynamic Road Sign Display.