“The Taos is a great mini SUV with good cargo room, good turbo engine, excellent rear camera, great infosystem which mirrors your phone. However new '25 Taos came with hiccups, such as Bluetooth disconnecting sporadically almost daily, and the removal of Beats speakers. You need to be strong to close trunk door, extremely heavy.”
2025 Volkswagen Taos: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The 2025 Volkswagen Taos gets a meaningful mid-cycle refresh, led by a stronger 174-hp engine. It also brings updated styling, a redesigned dashboard, and a conventional 8-speed automatic for all-wheel-drive models.
About the 2025 Volkswagen Taos
1st generation Taos (2022-present), mid-cycle refresh year.
Volkswagen positions the Taos as its smallest SUV, but one that still delivers useful passenger room, cargo flexibility, and everyday comfort. It is aimed at shoppers moving up from a sedan or hatchback, city drivers who want an easy-to-park SUV, and small families who need space without moving into a larger vehicle. Its main draw is a roomy cabin for the class, solid fuel economy, standard driver-assistance tech, and a more European feel than many subcompact rivals.
The S is the straightforward entry model, with Volkswagen’s driver-assistance suite, LED projector headlights, and heated steering wheel. The SE emphasizes everyday comfort and phone connectivity, while the SE Black adds dark exterior details and a panoramic sunroof. At the top, the SEL pairs standard all-wheel drive with leather seating, ventilated front seats, built-in navigation, and a larger digital instrument display.
What changed, by category
Powertrain
The 1.5-liter turbo engine increases from 158 to 174 horsepower. All-wheel-drive models replace the previous 7-speed dual-clutch transmission with a conventional 8-speed automatic.
Styling
The front and rear styling is refreshed across the lineup. LED projector headlights are added to the S, while the cabin gets a redesigned dashboard and revised materials.
Safety
Adaptive headlights and front and rear parking sensors are added to the SE and SE 4MOTION. The SEL also gains front parking sensors.
Tech
An 8-inch infotainment touchscreen becomes standard on every trim. The updated cabin also expands everyday technology on lower trims, while the SEL retains built-in navigation and a 10.25-inch digital instrument display.
2025 Volkswagen Taos specs and features by trim
| Feature | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 1.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 1.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 1.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 1.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 1.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 1.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 1.5 Liter |
| Transmission | Automatic, 8-Spd & Tiptronic | Automatic, 8-Spd & Tiptronic | Automatic, 8-Spd & Tiptronic | Automatic, 8-Spd & Tiptronic | Automatic, 8-Spd & Tiptronic | Automatic, 8-Spd & Tiptronic | Automatic, 8-Spd & Tiptronic |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | FWD | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 25 mpg | 25 mpg | 25 mpg | 25 mpg | 25 mpg | 25 mpg | 25 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 33 mpg | 33 mpg | 33 mpg | 33 mpg | 33 mpg | 33 mpg | 33 mpg |
| Horsepower | 174 hp | 174 hp | 174 hp | 174 hp | 174 hp | 174 hp | 174 hp |
| Torque | 184 lb-ft | 184 lb-ft | 184 lb-ft | 184 lb-ft | 184 lb-ft | 184 lb-ft | 184 lb-ft |
| Trunk/Cargo | 65.9 cu-ft | 65.9 cu-ft | 65.9 cu-ft | 60.2 cu-ft | 60.2 cu-ft | 60.2 cu-ft | 60.2 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 37.9 in | 37.9 in | 37.9 in | 37.9 in | 37.9 in | 37.9 in | 37.9 in |
| Seats | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | |||||||
| Adaptive Headlights | |||||||
| Alarm System | |||||||
| Automatic Emergency Braking | |||||||
| Blindspot Sensors | |||||||
| Front & Rear Parking Sensors | |||||||
| Hill Descent Control | |||||||
| Lane Departure Warning | |||||||
| Rear View Camera | |||||||
| Alloy Wheels | |||||||
| Heated Mirrors | |||||||
| LED Headlights | |||||||
| Privacy Glass | |||||||
| Roof Rails | |||||||
| Navigation System | |||||||
| Satellite Radio | |||||||
| Smartphone Interface | |||||||
| Touch Screen Monitor | |||||||
| Auto-Dimming Interior Mirror | |||||||
| Dual-Zone Climate Control | |||||||
| Rear Air Conditioning | |||||||
| Heated Front Seats | |||||||
| Heated Steering Wheel | |||||||
| Interior Ambient Lighting | |||||||
| Leather Seats | |||||||
| Power Driver Seat | |||||||
| Proximity Keyless Entry | |||||||
| Push-Button Engine Start | |||||||
| Remote Start | |||||||
| Ventilated Front Seats | |||||||
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2025 Volkswagen Taos fully redesigned?
No. The 2025 Taos is a mid-cycle refresh of the first-generation model, not a full redesign. Its main updates are more engine power, revised styling, a redesigned dashboard, and a different transmission for all-wheel-drive versions.
How much power does the 2025 Volkswagen Taos have?
The 2025 Taos has 174 horsepower from its 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. That is an increase from 158 horsepower in the 2024 model.
What transmission does the 2025 Taos use with all-wheel drive?
All-wheel-drive 2025 Taos models use an 8-speed automatic. It replaces the 7-speed dual-clutch transmission fitted to 2024 all-wheel-drive versions.
What interior technology changed for the 2025 Taos?
Every 2025 Taos has a standard 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, and the dashboard and cabin materials are revised. The SEL adds built-in navigation, voice control, and a 10.25-inch configurable digital instrument display.
What changed on the 2025 Taos SE?
The 2025 Taos SE gains the refreshed exterior, redesigned dashboard, stronger 174-hp engine, adaptive headlights, and front and rear parking sensors. It also has wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless phone charging, and dual-zone automatic climate control.
2025 Volkswagen Taos Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2025 Volkswagen Taos.
4.4
2025 Volkswagen Taos
(5 reviews)
“Everything is great about this car. You might have reservations about rear lid door must be manually closed. I'm a senior & have no issues. Like it much better than Atlas Crossport.”