In the brand's lineup, the vehicle is positioned below the Tiguan, and in South America and China above the T-Cross.

The Taos/Tharu is based on the Volkswagen Group MQB A1, with its platform closely related and several sheet metals shared with the SEAT Ateca, Škoda Karoq and the Jetta VS5.

[13]The Taos debuted for the North American market on 13 October 2020 for the 2022 model year.

[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 discontinued Golf.

[15] The Taos for the US and Canadian market is powered by a 1.5-liter, four-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine known as the TSI Evo, borrowed from VW's European models.

Volkswagen's Digital Cockpit system is standard on all trims, replacing the physical instrument cluster dials with a reconfigurable 12.3-inch display.

[27][28] The vehicle was assembled in three locations, including in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in the city of Ürümqi.

The base model of the Tharu has a torsion axis, the higher versions have a multi link suspension.

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 Latin American Taos with 6 airbags, airbag switch, UN127 pedestrian safety standard, ESC, ISA, full SBR, and optional collision avoidance system received 5 stars from Latin NCAP in 2021 under its new protocol (similar to Euro NCAP 2014).