Blue 2021 Volkswagen Taos cruises along a freeway

What engine will the Volkswagen Taos use?

2022 Volkswagen Taos Powerplant Info and Specs

The Volkswagen Taos has recently been revealed as a new addition to the automaker’s expanding SUV lineup. Eager audiences have been hungrily gobbling up every little tidbit of information being uncovered.

One of the latest morsels tossed out to the ravenous masses is details on what drivers will find under the hood of the Taos. What powerplant will the 2022 Volkswagen Taos have?



The Volkswagen Taos will be powered by a new and improved version of the EA211 turbocharged four-cylinder engine that can currently be found under the hood of the Jetta sedan. It will churn out 158 horsepower and 158 pound-feet of torque, and comes outfitted with a variety of exciting engine features.

How is the Taos engine improved from the engine in the Jetta sedan?

For the Taos, the EA211 enjoys a variety of upgrades and new features. First off, it increases in size from 1.4 to 1.5 liters. It now has a larger displacement. The engine in the Taos is both more powerful than the variation in the Jetta, and more efficient in fuel usage.

On a (somewhat) related note, where does the Taos get its name?

What innovative features can be found on the engine of the 2022 VW Taos?

2022 Volkswagen Taos drives along a winding highway

A number of high-tech features adorn the Taos engine in order to optimize its performance and efficiency. The machine utilizes a version of the Miller cycle that’s been modified by Volkswagen; this leads the intake valves to close early in the induction stroke in order to improve fuel economy. The result is a very high compression ratio (11.5 to one) for a turbocharged engine.

Other cutting-edge features in the Taos EA211 engine include:

  • APS coated cylinder liners
  • Map-controlled cooling module
  • Variable Turbine Geometry (VTG)
  • High-pressure injection system with up to 350 bar

What transmission will come on the 2022 Volkswagen Taos?

The front-wheel drive Taos will be fitted with a Sport-mode-boasting eight-speed automatic transmission. Models with all-wheel drive will enjoy a seven-speed DSG® dual-clutch automatic transmission.