The 2024 Volkswagen Taos SE Black Package Is All About Blackout Exterior Design Elements

New for 2024, the SE upgrades to standard Climatronic dual-zone automatic climate control. As for the SE Black, this package darkens the small crossover's exterior design with a plethora of blackout elements. The wheels and roof are black as well. The SE Black package further comprises gloss-black trim for the dashboard and projector-style headlights with an illuminated radiator grille.

Similar to the 2023 model, the 2024 Volkswagen Taos can be had in a grand total of three grades. The S now comes with standard Volkswagen IQ.DRIVE driver assistance technology. The Volkswagen IQ.DRIVE suite includes adaptive cruise control, rear traffic alert, active blind spot monitoring, Travel Assist, Front Assist, as well as Lane Assist.

Light Assist also needs to be highlighted, along with augmented interior stitching, a heated leatherette-wrapped steering wheel, and rain-sensing wipers. Gifted with a digital instrument cluster, LED headlights, and LED taillights, the Taos S carries a starting price of $23,995 (sans destination charge).

Stepping up to the SE means $28,165 from the outset. Upgrades over the S include 18-inch alloy wheels, remote start, and a mix of cloth and CloudTex for the seating surfaces. At the very top of the spectrum, the SEL improves on the SE with leather upholstery, the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit Pro, a lighting bar connecting the headlights, and a sunroof. The SEL is 4MOTION by default, meaning that it features the DSG dual-clutch transmission.

The SE and S come standard with front-wheel drive and a torque-converter automatic with eight forward ratios compared to seven for the DSG. Care to guess which one is better in terms of gas mileage? That would be the FWD-specific automatic, which is rated at 31 miles per gallon (7.6 liters per 100 kilometers). The 4MOTION-only DSG makes do with 27 (8.7) on the EPA's combined test cycle.

Both the FWD Taos and 4MOTION Taos feature a 1.5-liter turbo four-cylinder. Obviously dubbed TSI, said engine develops a respectable 158 horsepower and 184 pound-feet (250 Nm). Peak torque is delivered at 1,750 revolutions per minute, and Volkswagen recommends 87-octane regular unleaded rather than more premium gasoline.

Volkswagen offers four years or 50,000 miles (80,000 kilometers) worth of bumper-to-bumper New Vehicle Limited Warranty. The Carefree Maintenance Program is also standard, comprising scheduled maintenance services for the first two years or 20,000 miles (30,000 kilometers).

Twinned with the China-exclusive Tharu, the Taos is considered a compact. Based on the MQB platform of the SEAT Ateca and Skoda Karoq, the North American model is manufactured in Mexico at the assembly plant where Volkswagen used to make the Beetle. Just under 59,000 units were delivered to US customers in 2023, putting the Taos below the Atlas (60,859) and Tiguan (76,228).