| Volkswagen Taos/Tharu | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Volkswagen |
| Also called | Volkswagen Tharu |
| Production |
|
| Model years | 2022–present |
| Assembly |
|
| Designer | Klaus Bischoff and Johannes Brandsch(Tharu)[8] |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Compact crossover SUV (C) |
| Body style | 5-doorSUV |
| Layout | Front-engine, front-wheel-drive Front-engine, all-wheel-drive |
| Platform | Volkswagen Group MQB A1 |
| Related | SEAT Ateca Škoda Karoq Jetta VS5 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | |
| Transmission | 5-speedmanual 6-speed manual 6-speedautomatic 8-speed automatic 7-speedDSG |
| Battery | 44.1 kWh (e-Tharu) |
| Electric range | 315–415 km (195.7–257.9 mi) (e-Tharu, NEDC) |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,690 mm (105.9 in) 2,680 mm (105.5 in) (China) 2,638 mm (103.9 in) (Russia) |
| Length | 4,465 mm (175.8 in) 4,453 mm (175.3 in) (China) 4,417 mm (173.9 in) (Russia) |
| Width | 1,841 mm (72.5 in) |
| Height | 1,602–1,635 mm (63.1–64.4 in) |
TheVolkswagen Taos is acompact crossover SUV marketed byVolkswagen. It was first released in October 2018 as theVolkswagen Tharu in China, while the Taos was released in October 2020 as a restyled version of the Tharu for the North American, South American, and Russian markets. In the brand's lineup, the vehicle is positioned below theTiguan, and in South America and China above theT-Cross.[9] It is not marketed in core European market.
The Taos is named afterTaos, New Mexico.[10][11] The Tharu name is derived after the eponymousTharu people, an ethnic group indigenous to Nepal and Northern India.[12]
The Taos/Tharu is based on theVolkswagen Group MQB A1, with its platform closely related and several sheet metals shared with theSEAT Ateca,Škoda Karoq and theJetta VS5.[9] Known as the 'Project Tarek' during development, the Taos/Tharu is considered the first Chinese-developed VW product that is sold outside China. Volkswagen's brand sales chief Jürgen Stackmann said the project "turned from a regional project into a global project." Global annual sales for the vehicle were projected at 400,000 units.[13]
The Taos debuted for the North American market on 13 October 2020 for the 2022 model year. It is the fifth addition to the Volkswagen SUV family in the last four years.[14] The Mexican-built Taos slots directly below the Tiguan, which is solely available in a long-wheelbase guise in the North American market, while acting as an indirect replacement for the discontinuedGolf.[15]
The Taos for the US and Canadian market is powered by a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine known as the TSI Evo, borrowed from VW's European models. The engine packs 158 hp (160 PS; 118 kW) and 184 lb⋅ft (249 N⋅m; 25 kg⋅m) at 1,750 rpm. Front-wheel-drive models feature an 8-speed automatic transmission, while the4Motion all-wheel drive is coupled with a 7-speedDSG transmission. For the 2025 model, the DSG was replaced with an 8-speed automatic transmission for all models.
Volkswagen's Digital Cockpit system is standard on all trims, replacing the physical instrument cluster dials with a reconfigurable 12.3-inch display. The Taos can function as a Wi-Fi hotspot and is available with a wireless charge pad. All but the base model feature an 8.0-inch touchscreen and the latest MIB3 infotainment software. Volkswagen sells the Taos in S, SE, and SEL trims.
The Taos for the Mexican market is powered by a 1.4-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine from the VolkswagenEA211 TSI engine family, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. The 1.4 TSI engine produces 150 PS (148 hp; 110 kW) and 25.5 kg⋅m (250 N⋅m; 184 lb⋅ft) of torque.[16] In Mexico, the Taos is available in Trendline, Comfortline, and Highline trims. All trims are only available in FWD drivetrain configuration.[17]
For the 2025 model year, the Taos received a mid-cycle refresh in North America, with updated bodywork, a revised 1.5-litre turbocharged engine making 174 hp (130 kW; 176 PS), and an 8-speed automatic transmission now standard on all models.[18]
Introduced on 13 October 2020, the vehicle is also sold as the Taos with an identical styling to the North American Taos. For this market, the vehicle is produced inGeneral Pacheco plant in Argentina.[19][20] It occupies a segment between the T-Cross and Tiguan. It is the first C-segment SUV made in Argentina.[21] Instead of the TSI Evo engine, the Argentinian-built Taos is powered by a 1.4-litre 4-cylinder TSI petrol engine producing 150 hp (152 PS; 112 kW) and 25.5 kg⋅m (250 N⋅m; 184 lb⋅ft) which is sourced from theSão Carlos engine plant in Brazil and supportsflex fuel. The engine is coupled with a 6-speed automatic transmission.[22]
As of 2022, the Argentine version contains 20% locally made parts.[23] 70% of its production is exported.[24]
The Russian-market Taos was announced on 4 March 2021. It is assembled inNizhny Novgorod byGAZ alongside the similar Škoda Karoq. As a result, the Taos for the Russian market uses an identicalrear quarter panel and chassis from the Karoq, making it shorter in length and wheelbase compared to the Americas-market Taos and the Chinese-market Tharu, and requiring a different tailgate panel, rear taillights and rear bumper to be installed.
Engine options available are a 1.6-litreMPI producing 110 hp (112 PS; 82 kW) and 1.4-litre TSI producing 150 hp (152 PS; 112 kW). The base engine comes with a 5-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive, while the TSI is mated to either an 8-speed automatic for the FWD version or a 7-speed DSG transmission with4Motion AWD. The range will include Respect, Status and Exclusive trim levels.[25][26]
| Petrol engines | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model | Displacement | Power | Torque | Transmission | Markets |
| 1.4 TSI 150 | 1,395 cc I4 | 150 PS (110 kW; 148 hp) | 250 N⋅m (184 lb⋅ft) | 6-speedautomatic | Latin America |
| 8-speed automatic or 7-speedDSG | Russia | ||||
| 1.5 TSI 160 | 1,498 cc I4 | 160 PS (118 kW; 158 hp) | 250 N⋅m (184 lb⋅ft) | 8-speed automatic or 7-speedDSG | United States and Canada |
| 1.6 MPI 110 | 1,598 cc I4 | 110 PS (81 kW; 108 hp) | 155 N⋅m (114 lb⋅ft) | 5-speedmanual or 6-speed automatic | Russia |
The Tharu was presented as a near production model called the 'Powerful Family SUV' in March 2018.[27] Built bySAIC Volkswagen, the vehicle became available in China in late October 2018.[28][29] The vehicle was assembled in three locations, including inXinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in the city ofÜrümqi.
It is offered with several powertrain options, including one electric version called thee-Tharu. The base model of the Tharu has atorsion axle, the higher versions have amulti link suspension.[30]
Volkswagen cooperated with the headphone manufacturerBeats Electronics to incorporate theBeats audio system in the vehicle.[28]
The Chinese-built Tharu was launched in the Philippine market on 29 September 2023.[31] It is available in both the SE and SEL trim levels.[32] It was discontinued in September 2025 following the termination of distributorship agreement betweenAC Industrials and Volkswagen Group.[33]
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| Petrol engines | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model | Series | Displacement | Power | Torque | Transmission |
| 1.2 TSI | 1,197 ccI4 | 118 PS (87 kW; 116 hp) | 200 N⋅m (148 lb⋅ft) | 6-speedmanual or 7-speedDSG | |
| 1.4 TSI '280 TSI' | EA211 | 1,395 cc I4 | 150 PS (110 kW; 148 hp) | 250 N⋅m (184 lb⋅ft) | 6-speed manual or 7-speed DSG |
| 2.0 TSI '330 TSI'4Motion | EA888 | 1,984 cc I4 | 190 PS (140 kW; 187 hp) | 320 N⋅m (236 lb⋅ft) | 7-speed DSG |
The electric version of the Tharu was released in November 2020. It is equipped with an electric motor that produces 136 PS (100 kW; 134 hp) and 290 N⋅m (214 lb⋅ft) of torque. The vehicle is powered by a 44.1-kWh battery pack rated at 315 km (196 mi) of range (NEDC). Driven at a constant speed of 60 km/h (37 mph), the e-Tharu is claimed to be able to travel 415 km (258 mi) between charges.[34][35]
The Taos has ventilated frontdisc brakes and solid rear ones.[36][37]
The Latin American Taos with 6 airbags, airbag switch, UN127 pedestrian safety standard,ESC,ISA, fullSBR, and optionalcollision avoidance system received 5 stars fromLatin NCAP in 2021 under its new protocol (similar toEuro NCAP 2014).[38]
The 2022 Taos was tested by theIIHS:[39]
| Small overlap front (Driver) | Good | |||
| Small overlap front (Passenger) | Acceptable | |||
| Moderate overlap front | Good | |||
| Side | Good | |||
| Roof strength | Good | |||
| Head restraints and seats | Acceptable | |||
| Headlights |
| varies by trim/option | ||
| Front crash prevention (Vehicle-to-Vehicle) | Superior | optional | ||
| Front crash prevention (Vehicle-to-Pedestrian, day) | Basic | optional | ||
| Child seat anchors (LATCH) ease of use | Good |
| Calendar year | China[40] | U.S.[41] | Mexico | Brazil | Argentina |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 24,873 | ||||
| 2019 | 138,235 | ||||
| 2020 | 146,926 | ||||
| 2021 | 125,717 | 31,682 | 9,567[42] | 7,732[43] | 2,583[44] |
| 2022 | 120,561[45] | 59,103[46] | 7,031[47] | 11,225[48] | 8,449[49] |
| 2023 | 99,628[50] | 58,890 | 18,972[51] | 15,990[52] | 11,451[53] |
| 2024 | 65,876 | 20,126[51] | 17,565[54] | 13,190[55] |
The production of the Taos began in October 2020 for the Mexican market.
