The Tiguan and Atlas now have a little brother. The 2022 Taos is a subcompact SUV though one that’s smartly packaged to maintain sizable interior proportions. Now, I’ve been running this little guy all over the place this week – through the mountains of New England, taking it on day trips, etc. and it’s clear: VW has yet another winner in their growing SUV stable.
The Taos is one of the most pleasant surprises to come across my test drive schedule this year. It performs far above its $33,000 as-tested price by exceeding expectations in nearly every area. The drive is spot-on VW with dynamic characteristics on par with the Golf. The Audi-like tech features have me double checking the sticker price and all of the intangibles just click; it looks good as you approach it, it’s accommodating to its passengers and the size is perfect for day trips and running errands. I’ve averaged over 32mpg on regular to boot though VW recommends using 91 octane to achieve the engine’s full power. If you don’t need the Tiguan’s bigger cargo area the Taos is a no-brainer. Even so, with the 2nd row seats folded flat and locked in place the Taos’ max cargo volume is nearly identical to that of the Tiguan’s. Where the Tiguan gains an advantage is cargo volume behind the 2nd row. And what if I told you this one actually has more rear seat legroom? I also love the shopping bag hooks back here which can each hold 5 pounds. Unlike in the Tiguan and Atlas there’s no R-Line available here so this SEL trim serves as the highest Taos example and everything you see here – other than the floor mats – comes standard for $33,185; that’s quite the attractive price when you consider all that the Taos is. The only notable option my tester doesn’t have is the $1,200 panoramic sunroof. And if you were thinking of adding a hitch the Taos is not designed for towing a trailer. But this SUV is a real delight. VW should sell a ton of these and it’s easy to see why.

For its first and apparently last refresh, the 2022 Stinger receives updated styling, better electronics and more safety tech. With the highest starting MSRP of any Kia model at $37,135, the Stinger is Kia’s halo car and expectedly sells in very small numbers; about 1,200 per month. It was introduced to take on the stalwart German sport sedans; Kia flexing their engineering muscles showing that they too can go fast and handle a curvy road. But the Stinger doesn’t fit into Kia’s Plan S which aims to transition the Korean brand to electric mobility by 2025. So it’s expected that the Stinger will disappear sometime next year meaning if you want one don’t linger. The biggest news for this 2022 model actually revolves around the base GT-Line’s new, more powerful 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder. But I’m back in the saddle of the most potent Stinger; the GT2 with its 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6 now producing 368 horsepower – that’s 3 more than before but I can’t say that I noticed. With 376 pound-feet of torque and a launch control feature, this car will get after 60mph in less than 5 seconds. And when you go full GT2 Kia adds in a number of key performance features, most notably an electronically controlled suspension that maximizes comfort and is connected to the 4 drive modes for either a relaxed or firmer feel. This stellar Ceramic Silver paint is a $495 option and is worth every penny nicely playing off of the red Brembo brake calipers. And the more aggressively styled exhaust tips elevate the Stinger’s presence. The rear seats are spacious, comfortable and heated but the large tunnel really makes this a 4-seater. And because it’s a hatchback there’s way more room in here than in a typical sports sedan. Drop the rear seats and now you’re ready for bigscreen TV duty. The hatch also opens automatically, hands-free, just by standing near it with the key fob on you. The Stinger is a great looking car, it’s engaging to drive and luxuriously appointed for pennies on the dollar. So if this turns out to be its swan song it’s going out with a win.

The just revealed 2022 QX55 – a coupe-styled derivative of the QX50. The Germans started a trend of offering their SUVs in both traditional and coupe-like body styles and now Infiniti is trying it here. The formula creates a longer, lower body for aesthetic appeal in exchange for some rear headroom and luggage volume…and always at a price premium; a tradeoff that trendsetters are thrilled to take. The QX55 is offered in 3 trim levels starting at $47,525; about 3 grand more than a comparable QX50. But unlike its less fashionable sibling, every QX55 comes standard with all-wheel drive and 20” wheels. This top-of-the-line Sensory trim with higher quality leather, a foot-activated liftgate, ProPILOT ASSIST driver assistance tech, head-up display and fancier LED headlights starts at about $58,000 and comes in here at $60,830 with a smattering of options. Exceptionally comfortable front seats, eye-catching Monaco Red interior, and Nissan’s innovative variable compression turbocharged engine round out the highlights.
So I’ve vacillated this week between admiration for the QX55’s design, particularly in this Slate Gray upcharge paint, appreciation for the innovative, go get ‘em turbo engine, and a very welcoming and eye pleasing cabin and my uneasiness with the over $60,00 asking price for what in some ways already seems like a model in a need of an update. I would put the QX55 in the high tier like it but don’t love it category. Regardless, I think owners will be happy with their choice.

2022 HYUNDAI KONA ELECTRIC TEST DRIVE
The Kona Electric advertises a 258 mile driving range and offers 3 levels of charging – the quickest of which takes less than an hour if you drain the battery all the way to zero – an unlikely scenario so in most cases it takes about 30 minutes to reach an 80% charge…just enough time to go shopping. And even then, fast charging at Electrify America stations is free for 3 years. I plug my Kona into a standard outlet in my garage and for me an overnight charge typically brings me back to 100%. The most notable change this year is the Tesla-inspired, smooth front end with slimmer headlights. I think Teslas are the ugliest cars ever produced so this is not a selling point to me but I kind of like the deletion of the SUV-like, gray body cladding. It’s now all body color and it classes the car up. Hyundai really loads up this Limited trim so you get all of the safety features, the best infotainment and high-end convenience features like a heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated seats, and 3 years of BlueLink telematics which includes a great app for connecting with and controlling your Kona. There’s even a height adjustable passenger seat. Available in SEL and Limited trims with a starting MSRP of $35,185 the Kona Electric does qualify for the full $7,500 federal tax credit but this model – like many others – are currently pretty scarce so pricing may vary. Much like we had to convince my grandmother back in the 80s that a microwave oven was something she would enjoy – and in short time very much did – driving an electric car is similar in that once you experience it there’s no looking back.

So you’re drawn to this new design – what Hyundai calls Parametric Dynamics – and now the all-new 2022 Tucson is on your shopping list. But which one do you choose? The gas model? Sporty N Line? How about a plug-in? Or perhaps this new Hybrid is right for you which even comes standard with all-wheel drive.
Hyundai sells more Tucsons than any other model and it’s not even close. So it’s no wonder they’re expanding its offerings with a variant for everyone. And this week I’m getting to know the gas-electric hybrid Tucson without the plug with a starting MSRP of $30,275 including destination. It’s available in 3 trim levels and as usual I’ve got the top-of-the-line model called the Limited. That gets you exclusive standard features such as premium exterior design details like these funky daytime running lights integrated into the grille, a panoramic sunroof, heated and ventilated leather seats with driver’s side memory, an 8-way power passenger seat, a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, the larger touchscreen with navigation, capacitive touch HVAC controls which can also be summoned with voice commands, smart park that allows you to use the key fob to pull the Tucson into and out of tight parking spots, wireless device charging, expanded ambient interior lighting and a host of driver assistance features including an around view monitor and blind view monitor a la Honda but better. That’s a lot of stuff to entice the Tucson Hybrid shopper into the Limited which stickers here for $38,854 with the only option being the floor mats. If you can embrace the polarizing design, the Tucson, in all of its various flavors, makes a compelling argument for purchase.