2023 Volkswagen Taos Safety and Reliability

There was no safety review for the Volkswagen Taos from the NHTSA nor the IIHS at the time of writing. We don't think new owners have anything to worry about, however, as the Taos' bigger siblings all seem to fare well in these tests.

Our SE sampler had the optional $895 IQ.Drive Package which tacks on the Travel Assist semi-automated driving assistance that essentially bundles the adaptive cruise control and lane assist systems. Some standard safety includes a blind-spot monitor, rear view camera, tire pressure monitoring system, and hill descent control.

All new Taos SUVs come standard with a six-airbag system, including front and rear curtain airbags, a direct tire pressure monitoring system, an automatic post-collision braking system, and an intelligent crash response system. Unfortunately, driver-assists are otherwise largely absent from the base S, but at least it gets the obligatory rearview camera. The mid-range SE adds pedestrian monitoring with front assist, forward collision warning with autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. SEL models come standard with Volkswagen's IQ.Drive suite that enables semi-autonomous driving. This system includes lane centering. The range-topper also boasts adaptive cruise control, dynamic road sign display, high beam control, park distance control, travel assist, lane assist, and emergency assist. At least lower trims can be upgraded with some of the available safety systems.

The Taos is a brand new model but it has already been subject to two recalls. The first pertains to a fuel line connector that may cause a fuel leak, and the second for the engine control unit software potentially causing the engine to stall.

Volkswagen will cover the Taos with a four-year/50,000-mile basic warranty that includes a drivetrain warranty for the same time/distance, a seven-year/100,000-mile corrosion warranty, a two-year/20,000 miles of complimentary scheduled maintenance, and three years or 36,000 miles worth of roadside assistance.

We also hope VW figures out why the Android Auto suddenly stopped working en route.