Following several delays, it appears that Volkswagen’s compact pickup will finally arrive next year as the 2023 Volkswagen Tarok. The automaker unveiled a concept five years ago, but production was halted due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Things appear to be getting underway, with the initial version set to debut in South America as planned.
However, the VW intends to compete in North America, where the segment of compact pickups is rapidly expanding. In terms of design, we don’t expect significant changes from the concept, which appeared to be production-ready. This specifically refers to the overall cabin layout, vehicle’s dimensions, and some other aspects.
Exterior Design
In terms of styling, the new 2023 Volkswagen Tarok will not depart from its original concept. We expect to see the same exterior design with the same visual elements and colors. As we said, the concept is five years old, but it still looks up to date. Reportedly, the new model will sport a 117-inch wheelbase. Therefore, the new Tarok will compete in the compact pickup segment, along with the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz.
The MQB platform should underpin this new pickup, the same architecture that supports the Volkswagen Tiguan model. Of course, a couple of things may depart from the concept, but don’t expect anything significant.
Volkswagen Tarok Interior
In terms of the cabin design, the concept version included a production-ready interior. As a result, we do not anticipate major upgrades inside the 2023 Volkswagen Tarok. The dash is designed in the traditional VW style, with a conservative design but high build quality and nice materials. We also anticipate seeing VW’s newest infotainment system, as well as a digital instrument cluster.
As previously stated, the only layout we anticipate seeing is a double cab. As a result, we anticipate a spacious cabin that easily fits adults in both rows. The cargo bed’s dimensions are unknown, along with some other things. Still, expect a very modern pickup with lots of optional features.
Engine Rumors
The concept featured the company’s well-known 1.4-liter turbo-four gasoline engine. This unit is capable of producing almost 150 horsepower. Meanwhile, the company unveiled a new 1.5-liter turbo-four engine, which we believe will be used in the production model, at least in South America.
The North American version, on the other hand, would almost certainly require something larger and a more potent powertrain option. Of course, we’re talking about the same 2.0-liter turbo-four that powers the Tiguan. This engine produces 185 horsepower and a torque of 220 lb-ft. The base model should have a 6-speed manual transmission. We also anticipate an 8-speed automatic transmission as an option.
2023 Volkswagen Tarok Price, Release Date
If the 2023 Volkswagen Tarok plans to compete with Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz, the starting price of around $20,000 makes perfect sense. Of course, the upper trim levels will cost more. For a start, this model will reach the dealerships in Brazil, next year. However, we hope to see the American version shortly after that.