2026 Volkswagen Taos Review, Pricing, and Specs
Overview
Removing 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.
What's New for 2026?
The Taos received a comprehensive overhaul in 2025 that brought updated styling, an interior refresh, and a more powerful engine. With last year's update still fresh, the Taos gets only minor tweaks for 2026, including a slightly faster wireless charging pad and an eight-speaker premium VW audio system on SEL models.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
The price of the 2026 Volkswagen Taos is expected to start around $27,000 and go up to $37,000 depending on the trim and options.
S
$27,000 (est)
SE
$30,000 (est)
SE Black
$32,000 (est)
SEL
$37,000 (est) 0 $10k $20k $30k $40k $50k $60k
We recommend the mid-level SE model because it provides the best value. It comes standard with 18-inch wheels, adaptive headlamps, a power-adjustable driver's seat, front and rear parking sensors, heated front seats, remote start, and wireless charging. We'd add all-wheel drive, largely because it replaces the front-drive model's rear suspension with a more sophisticated independent setup.
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Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The Taos is powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 174 horsepower and is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission that sends power to the front or all four wheels. The front-drive and all-wheel-drive Taos have different rear suspensions, with the former using a torsion-beam setup and the latter using a more sophisticated multilink design. We appreciated the engine's low-speed thrust, the eight-speed automatic's unobtrusive operation, and the suspension's composure during our time with one.
0–60-MPH Times
When we tested a 2025 Taos (which is mechanically identical to the 2026 model), it sauntered to 60 mph in 8 seconds. Somewhat surprisingly, that is 0.6 seconds slower than the 2022 model that we tested, which used a less powerful 158-hp engine. Despite the slight decrease in acceleration performance, the Taos still feels spritely enough for a subcompact SUV.
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Jessica Lynn Walker
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Car and Driver
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
The EPA hasn't released any fuel economy estimates for the 2026 Taos, but last year's front-drive model was EPA-rated at 28 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway. The all-wheel-drive model dropped those ratings to 25 mpg city and 33 highway. Without any significant changes, the 2026 Taos should achieve similar results. We'll update this section with fresh EPA estimates and results from our 75-mph highway fuel-economy route testing once both become available. For more information about the Taos's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
A fully digital gauge cluster is fitted to every Taos dashboard, and the standard two-tone seats are covered in cloth. However, leatherette and leather upholstery are both available, too. There's no shortage of popular options, either. The Taos cabin can be equipped with customizable ambient lighting, an eight-way power driver's seat, dual-zone climate control, heated and ventilated front seats, and a panoramic sunroof. The Taos boasts 37.9 inches of rear-seat legroom, which is only 0.8 inch less than the two-row Tiguan. The Taos also has 28 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seatbacks and 66 cubes with them folded flat.
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Jessica Lynn Walker
|
Car and Driver
Infotainment and Connectivity
Every Taos features a slick-looking infotainment system with a subscription-based Wi-Fi hotspot. An 8.0-inch touchscreen is standard and features Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity with a wired connection; wireless mirroring is available on upper trims. The system can also be equipped with built-in navigation, a six-speaker stereo, SiriusXM satellite radio, and wireless smartphone charging.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
The smallest VW crossover comes with a variety of driver-assistance technology, including forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking. For more information about the Taos's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
Standard blind-spot monitoring and rear-cross-traffic alert
Standard forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking
Standard adaptive cruise control with a lane-centering feature
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Volkswagen provides an above-average limited warranty and below-average powertrain coverage. However, the company does include complimentary scheduled maintenance that aligns with Toyota.
Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
Powertrain warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
Complimentary maintenance is covered for two years or 20,000 miles
Specifications
Specifications
2025 Volkswagen Taos
Vehicle Type: front-engine, front- or all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon
PRICE
Base: S, $26,420; S 4Motion, $28,120; SE, $29,320; SE 4Motion, $31,020; SE Black, $31,570; SE Black 4Motion, $33,270; SEL 4Motion, $36,120
ENGINE
turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve inline-4, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 91 in3, 1498 cm3
Power: 174 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque: 184 lb-ft @ 1750 rpm
TRANSMISSION
8-speed automatic
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 105.5–105.9 in
Length: 175.9 in
Width: 72.5 in
Height: 64.5–65.1 in
Passenger Volume, F/R: 53/46 ft3
Cargo Volume, Behind F/R: 60–66/25–28 ft3
Curb Weight (C/D est): 3300–3600 lb
PERFORMANCE (C/D EST)
60 mph: 7.0–7.1 sec
1/4-Mile: 15.4 sec
Top Speed: 125 mph
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 28–31/25–28/33–36 mpg
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