2025 Volkswagen Taos Review, Pricing, and Specs

As the latest addition to Volkswagen's SUV family, the 2025 Taos is designed for city dwellers looking for a compact yet versatile vehicle. This year's model comes with significant enhancements, including a more dynamic engine and sophisticated interior materials, making it a compelling choice in the crowded subcompact SUV segment. The 2025 Taos features a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 174 horsepower, a noticeable improvement over its predecessor. This boost in power is complemented by an eight-speed automatic transmission, available in both front-wheel and all-wheel drive, ensuring a smooth and responsive driving experience. [Suggested photo: 2025 volkswagen taos (2250x1500)]

The Taos's exterior design has also seen a refresh, with updated styling that gives it a more modern and appealing look. Inside, the car offers a richer cabin experience with optional leather and leatherette upholstery, customizable ambient lighting, and a fully digital gauge cluster. The Taos provides ample space for passengers and cargo, offering 28 cubic feet of storage behind the rear seats, which expands to 66 cubic feet with the seats folded. This makes the Taos not only a stylish option but also a practical one for those who need additional space on the go.

One of the intriguing aspects of the 2025 Taos is its positioning within Volkswagen's lineup. While it provides a more compact alternative to the Tiguan, the pricing overlap between these models might cause consumers to weigh their options carefully. The Taos starts at $26,920, with the top-tier SEL model reaching up to $36,620. For those interested in a balance of features and value, the mid-level SE model is recommended, offering 18-inch wheels, adaptive headlamps, and a host of other desirable features, including all-wheel drive for enhanced handling.

In terms of fuel efficiency, the Taos delivers respectable numbers, with the front-wheel-drive model achieving 28 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway. The all-wheel-drive version offers slightly lower figures at 25 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway. During real-world tests, the Taos impressed with a highway fuel economy of 40 mpg, making it an economical choice for long-distance travel.

Safety is a priority for Volkswagen, and the 2025 Taos is equipped with a suite of driver-assistance features to ensure peace of mind on the road. Standard offerings include blind-spot monitoring, rear-cross-traffic alert, forward-collision warning, and automated emergency braking. These features are complemented by adaptive cruise control with lane-centering capabilities, providing a comprehensive safety package for all driving conditions.

As Volkswagen continues to innovate, the 2025 Taos represents a thoughtful evolution of the brand's approach to the subcompact SUV market. It offers a blend of performance, style, and practicality that caters to a wide range of drivers. With its improved powertrain, enhanced features, and competitive pricing, the Taos is poised to remain a strong contender in its class for the foreseeable future.