The 2025 Volkswagen Taos is a compact five-seat SUV that competes with the likes of the Hyundai Kona, Subaru Crosstrek, and Kia Seltos. This new model comes with updated design details, a refined powertrain, and enhanced tech features, all while maintaining a comfortable and spacious interior. It has received a TCC Rating of 5.8 out of 10, outperforming some of its competitors due to its overall value.
Volkswagen has made some significant updates to the Taos for 2025, including refreshed lighting, more standard features, and a stronger and smoother powertrain. The Taos is available in S, SE, SE Black, and SEL trims, with front-wheel drive as standard and all-wheel drive as an option.
The exterior of the Taos has been subtly redesigned with updated front and rear bumpers, an updated front grille, and LED lighting elements. The top trim models now feature a connected LED bar across the front end and taillights. The interior has also seen improvements, with soft-touch materials added to the door panels and an upgraded 8.0-inch touchscreen as standard.
Under the hood, every Taos is powered by a 1.5-liter turbo-4 engine that now produces 174 horsepower, up 16 hp from the previous model. The Taos comes with a conventional 8-speed automatic transmission for a smoother driving experience. The suspension setup varies depending on the drive wheels, with front-wheel-drive models using a twist-beam rear suspension and all-wheel-drive models featuring a multi-link rear axle.
Despite its compact size, the Taos offers a surprisingly spacious interior with room for four adults and ample cargo space. Fuel economy is impressive, with a combined rating of up to 31 mpg. Safety features are also plentiful, with standard adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitors, automatic emergency braking, and active lane control.
The 2025 Volkswagen Taos starts at $26,420 for the base S model, which includes destination charges. Adding all-wheel drive costs an additional $1,700. The Taos is manufactured in Mexico.
Overall, the 2025 Volkswagen Taos is a well-rounded compact SUV that offers a good balance of style, performance, and value. It’s a solid choice for those in the market for a small, versatile vehicle that can handle a variety of driving conditions.