A better BUY than the new Corolla Cross Hybrid? 2023 VW Taos Review

#VW #vwtaos #turbo
After a week of driving the #crossover Taos, here's what I found to be great about it...but it comes at a price. Is it better than the #HRV #Crosstrek #CorollaCross #CX30
The 2023 Volkswagen Taos: Style, performance and value for the compact SUV space
Front Assist, Blind Spot Monitor and Rear Traffic Alert now standard
Bold design establishes its connection to the Volkswagen SUV family
1.5-liter TSI® engine with 158 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque pairs with either eight-speed automatic and front-wheel drive or seven-speed DSG® dual- clutch automatic and available 4Motion® all-wheel drive
Smart packaging includes high-end features like standard Volkswagen Digital Cockpit and Car-Net® with Wi-Fi capability, available IQ.DRIVE® driver assistance technology, and MIB3 infotainment with wireless App-Connect
MSRP starts at $24,155
00:00 - Exterior / Engine
01:10 - Cargo
01:50 - Backseat
02:56 - Front seat
05:52 - 0-60
06:33 - Driving impressions
12:05 - Why you'd pick the Taos
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[@islanddon865]

I've sold many, many VW's, Honda's and Toyota's. We've owned many more Toyota and Honda vehicles than VW's. Enough said. Toyota Cross Hybrid, in my estimation is the best VALUE in this segment. Hands Down!!

[@jessicalane3458]

I own a Taos and as a die hard VW fan, we know the issues but don’t care. They’re a lot of fun 🤩 Haters

[@MrVictoria69]

Really appreciate the review. I've got it narrowed down to the Taos and the Trailblazer.

[@johngriffith7315]

You sure know how to stir the pot with the title! 😂 I’m a big fan of it however. I think it’s one of VW’s best offering and my 2017 Passat was problem free for 155000 mile before I sold it

[@benz9063]

nice exterior design, but for the price the interior is super cheap plasticy, and not close to Toyota in terms of worry-free ownership.

[@jdm1039]

John Griffith- As you know that is his entire intent. To create clicks and arguments from members of the Toyota mafia in the comments to satisfy the youtube algorithms. Just like a couple other KZbinr's that come to mind, such as Raiti's Ride. I find it seriously irritating and pandering.

[@benz9063]

@@jdm1039 ah yeah totally everybody should know this tho and it’s not just a couple youtubers, it’s like most of them. I consider this infotainment, so I don’t take it too seriously, after all it’s free and he is not forcing anyone to watch these videos.

[@jeffmorse645]

I've watched a few video review and a print review or two that said they got well over 40 MPG on the highway with a FWD Taos. That's pretty incredible for a non-hybrid crossover. You can get an SE under 30K - VW dealers will deal... which is something you can't always say about Toyota or Honda dealers.

[@mrgurulittle7000]

Kirk, I’d do anything to have VW make vehicles that last. I’m digging their new models in their EVs too. Remember that VW ID7 live you did about a month ago? That was fun!

[@KirkKreifels]

ID7!!!

[@mrgurulittle7000]

@@KirkKreifels 🥰

[@toronado455]

I like it very much for the boxy shape and spacious interior packaging. It's more roomy inside than a Corolla Cross, even though exterior dimensions are nearly identical. The problem unfortunately is Taos had a bad launch and has significant reliability issues.

[@mrgurulittle7000]

@@toronado455 Agree.

[@shatner99]

Yes? Oh, I’m the wrong Kirk here. Sorry.

[@ericB3444]

It had cloudTex. Does that mean YOUS have a Charmin factory in YOUS car?

[@fantomtuba]

I'm always amazed that a global company as big as Volkswagen can put out such unreliable cars.

[@LeoTheShortGuy]

Awesome

[@Cheapchase]

The Corolla Cross Hybrid is def the best and I like German cars. Maybe the Taos over standard Corolla Cross

[@davcuts2897]

The Toas S with AWD adds silver alloy wheels, and heated front seats as standard. Blind spot warning is also standard. You can add adaptative cruise control in a package. In total it's around $28,000, a much better deal in my opinion. I really like the Toas but in almost all reviews I've read and watched turbo lag is a major problem with the DSG, far worse than what you just showed in the FWD with the 8 speed automatic.

[@toronado455]

Yes, Consumer Reports said the hesitation off the line with the DSG is horrible.

[@electrikoptik]

VW, the second most recalled brand in the US a better buy than the new Corolla Cross Hybrid? Oh hell naaaaaaw man.

[@faheemabbas3965]

I think VW even made an ad for the Taos claiming that it had the same 10 year maintenance cost as a Toyota RAV4.

[@mrgurulittle7000]

@@faheemabbas3965 PR BS.😂Nice try VW.

[@John-kx3ng]

VW should’ve brought the T Cross or Tiago to North America. Period

[@Mgoblagulkablong]

top 10 worst rated models by OWNERS in consumerreports, probably the worst rated model by OWNERS on edmunds, etc., read what issues they have, incredible for 1-2 year old cars - UNRELIABLE money pit and high depreciation, AVOID

[@ireallyreallyreallylikethisimg]

Yup, these cars (VW, Audi, Mercedes etc) are the type of car you lease or buy for 3 years and let the next owner deal with the problems.

[@yslee1401]

Agreed. They are endless money pits. If it’s an impulsive buy, then go for leasing. Let someone else owns the nightmare at the end of the lease

[@toronado455]

Yes, basically every major system on the Taos is failing per the owners' surveys. And it's way worse than the typical German car. Taos had a bad launch.

[@MariUovo]

I haven't had a single problem with my 2023 AWD/DTC, LOVE everything about it. There is a reason VW is by far the no. 1 best selling brand in Europe, as well as for decades in the largest auto market in the world - China (although BYD just dethroned them there). It's cause N Americans don't know how to drive and even less so how to care for their cars.

[@yslee1401]

@@MariUovo VW is also the best at engineering software cheats to beat emissions tests for their diesel engines

[@nathanielcasas8923]

Bruh you’re title is straight up blasphemy 🤣🤣🤣 no VW will ever be be better than a Toyota I don’t care if it has twin turbos and has 1,000 HP 😂

[@sebastianandrew9077]

Its super expensive for what it is and im a vw guy i drive a vw jetta right now.... This need a lot more power. Think of this as a jetta suv because they use similar parts except the transmission.

[@Eugen-E]

Even a 2.5 Forester can get well over 35+ mpg on the highway. It is a lot bigger, almost a full time AWD, bigger engine. And if you look at EPA numbers the 4Motion Taos gets 25/28/32 MPG city/combined/highway and the Forester gets 26/29/33 MPG 😂

[@KirkKreifels]

Forester is a great buy. I'd take it over the Crosstrek.

[@faheemabbas3965]

Every commenter here will buy a Toyota. Competition doesn’t exist to us Kirk you know that…. Because they’re not reliable…….

[@KirkKreifels]

Reliability aside, I'd still pick at least 4 others above this in the segment

[@faheemabbas3965]

@@KirkKreifels agreed. Pretty plasticky.

[@timsouttahere]

Are those halogen headlights?

[@LeoTheShortGuy]

Beep beep beep ……. Blue is my favorite!!!!

[@randomthingsstuff6591]

The Taos is a cool crossover in my opinion

[@salamov963]

Nothing beats toyota

[@ToyotaChrisWI]

Recycle, rename, tada! 😂

[@MrOscar5690]

Why are you comparing a non hybrid to a Toyota hybrid? This is more expensive, less efficient and less power. In now way is it better

[@KirkKreifels]

They cost the same...actually this SE w/ pano roof costs 2-3K more!!!

[@yslee1401]

It may cost the same now but after 3 years or less, the VW might be worth less than 1/3 of its purchase price

[@nerenahd]

How can you compare a car that is only petrol/diesel like the Taos against a hybrid like the Toyota? Apples and oranges IMO. Besides, the title of the video is a bit misleading, once it might lead viewers to think that both are hybrid cars.

[@JackTheSkunk]

Check back in 250,000 miles when the Toyota is still running strong compared to the VW. And let us know the true cost of maintaining and repairing the two. Toyota will win without even breathing hard.

[@pjsneeringer5942]

@Kirk: C'mon man.....ONLY IF YOU WANT ELECTRICAL NIGHTMARES, ANY VW

[@KirkKreifels]

I had to Google how to find the odometer 😂 it won't show it while cruise control is enabled. Even at a stop

[@alengreen589]

if it comes to a high mpg and reliability? no VW has a chance to compete with a Toyota Hybrid car.

[@faultless18]

If you want to continuously pay for repairs go for the VW

[@Blank00]

This and Jetta are thr last good VW models, they are to buy now before getting redesigned

[@sefyue]

Good models but the interest rate from Vw makes it unworthy

[@Blank00]

@@sefyue Too bad for VW. Once the Tiguan, Taos, and Jetta get redesigned, VW's lineup is completely ruined.

[@TalismanPHX]

Ugh, a plastic fantastic interior, even at this price point. Also, the cornflower blue looks like a crayon color.😮

[@JCVACCARO]

Sure won't last as long or hold its value like the Toyota.

[@nobatteriesincluded3968]

The Toas has an actual transmission 2 actually unlike the Toyota’s cvt enough said 😬

[@KirkKreifels]

CC hybrid miles better. If I had to have a traditional transmission, I'd get the AWD standard cx30

[@chibbyylol]

*Toyota's eCVT this ain't no nissan lol

[@nobatteriesincluded3968]

@@chibbyylol oh yeah because an electric one is that much better pardon me 😄

[@chuckkerber4735]

It's a VW, so it's definitely NOT better than a Toyota...

[@1976axerhand]

It's a VW, overpriced junk.

[@alomar-12]

No VW will ever be a better buy than any Toyota.

[@eamonnmcdermott1939]

Another forgettable overpriced car from VW. Snore

[@MrOscar5690]

Anyone shopping for value in a compact crossover should consider the new Chevy Trax with a starting price of $21k ..

[@chezzyperson3339]

Looks much better than this

[@moeanthony9308]

A GM 3 cyl turbo ? yea no thanks

[@MrOscar5690]

@@moeanthony9308 I’m not buying anything not Toyota, but 20k is compelling, especially with todays interest rates .. 🤷‍♂️

[@moeanthony9308]

@@MrOscar5690 bravo

[@bjsimon802]

i would never buy this, honda and toyota have better options.

[@sgrant9814]

There is NO SUCH THING as synthetic leather (or leatherette , literally "little leather") ......leather is animal hide ONLY! Everything else is cloth, synthetic or natural, or plastic...and yes, vinyl is plastic.

[@verynick]

No digital close 2:02 at this price point?!! No thanks

[@wedgett1]

A VW a better buy than a Toyota?! Funniest joke I've ever heard!