Taos

The removal of the standard Golf from Volkswagen's lineup still sits with us, but the Taos takes some sting out of the loss. VW's subcompact SUV might not be as fun to drive as the dearly departed hatchback, but it is just as versatile. Stepping into the Taos's airy cabin, you'll find rich materials arranged in a sophisticated and archetypically German way. Trunk space is generous, with plenty of room for cargo-toting. Its 174-hp turbocharged four-cylinder provides adequate thrust to either the front or all four wheels, and it feels planted (if a bit uninspired) while zipping around town. The Taos's real problem is its beefed-up brother, the Volkswagen Tiguan, which is larger and handles better while being only slightly more expensive.