By Emma Krasov. Photography by Yuri Krasov
By Woodside we mean a picturesque little town in San Mateo County, California. In this affluent rural community, almost all gentlemen-farmers own horses, and the surrounding hills are covered by a net of horse trails. Another popular mode of transportation here is bicycle, and you can spot multiple groups of cyclists from near and far happily pedaling along the woodsy routes on any weekend.
And by Taos we mean a 2022 Volkswagen Taos, recently introduced to the San Francisco Bay Area media first at a virtual product briefing hosted by Mark Gillies, Acting Head of Communications for Volkswagen Group of America, and then at an exciting test-driving event in Woodside, with a starting point at Thomas Fogarty Winery.
At the briefing, Scott Keogh, CEO and President; Hein Schafer, Senior Vice President of Product Marketing and Strategy; and José Bravo, Product Manager of Compact SUVs informed us about the cool new Volkswagen’s smallest SUV (in the subcompact category—the most popular family cars at the moment).
This front-wheel-drive (or all-wheel-drive) vehicle is 175.8” long, and boasts the newest VW 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder 158 horse-power engine, with efficiency of 28 mpg on city streets, and 36 mpg on highways.
The luxuriously roomy cabin is equipped with 8” digital panel, heated and ventilated front seats, an 8-way power driver seat, and a manual front-seat height adjuster. There’s ample concealed luggage space, and the maximum seating capacity is 5 people.
Standard safety features include an automatic post-collision braking system and Intelligent Crash Response, which shuts off the fuel pump, unlocks the doors and switches on the hazard lights when necessary.
IQ.Drive is an invaluable driver assistance tool. On a highway, it provides lane centering and a capacitive steering wheel, and for city driving, it alerts drivers to surprise obstacles. IQ.Drive uses front and rear radar, a front camera and ultrasound sensors to collect information about the surrounding area.
This enables semi-automated driving assistance, forward collision warning, and autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian monitoring as well as active blind spot monitor, rear traffic alert, adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assist.
There are plenty of hi-tech communication features, like internet access, app-connected smart device integration, primary monitor touch screen, and wireless phone connectivity in addition to AM/FM radio, 6 speakers, and radio data system.
The exterior comes in Cornflower Blue, Pure Gray, and other similarly elegant colors. Some useful details, like power remote manual folding side-view door mirrors and a rail roof rack add to its appeal.
With a starting price of $22,995 ($25,040 for all-wheel drive), the new 2022 Volkswagen Taos is bound to become a favorite on California highways, and fit right in, like a missing puzzle piece, into our gorgeous natural scenery.
Find your own 2022 Volkswagen Taos at:
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