“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.”
Volkswagen Taos: Trims, Generations & Buyer's Guide
Last updated August 4, 2026
The Volkswagen Taos is a five-seat compact SUV that pairs city-friendly dimensions with unusually useful rear-seat and cargo room. It is known as Volkswagen’s smallest U.S. SUV, with turbo power, everyday technology, and a more polished cabin than many small crossovers.
The Taos has served as Volkswagen’s smallest U.S. SUV since its 2022 debut. Its consistent theme is making a small footprint feel practical, with adult-friendly passenger space, useful cargo capacity, digital displays, and turbocharged power. The 2025 refresh strengthened that formula with more power, updated styling, and a conventional 8-speed automatic across the lineup.
Strengths
- Its small exterior footprint is easy to manage around town, yet the back seat has enough room to be useful for adults.
- Cargo space is a real strength, with 2026 models providing more than 60 cubic feet when the rear seats are folded.
- Every Taos uses a turbocharged gas engine, and the refreshed 2026 version makes 174 horsepower.
- Fuel economy remains sensible for a small SUV, with 2026 ratings reaching 28 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway in the most efficient configuration.
- Digital gauges have been standard since the Taos launched, giving even early models a modern-looking driver display.
- Driver-assistance features became more consistent over time, with Volkswagen’s full safety suite standard across the lineup from 2024 onward.
Who it's for
The Taos fits commuters, city drivers, and small families who want an SUV that is easy to place in traffic but does not feel cramped inside. It also suits shoppers who want the added traction of all-wheel drive without moving up to a larger SUV.
Volkswagen Taos lineup
The S is the straightforward entry point for shoppers who want the Taos’s core space and turbo power without moving far up the range. The SE is the middle choice, and it has generally received more standard comfort and driver-assistance technology than the S. In recent years, the SE Black has added a darker, sportier appearance for buyers who care more about styling. The SEL sits at the top with richer equipment, and in the 2026 lineup it comes only with all-wheel drive.
Volkswagen Taos generations
From 2022 to 2026, the Taos spans 1 generation. The current 1st Generation arrived for 2022.
1st Generation (2022–Present)
The Taos debuted as Volkswagen’s smallest U.S. SUV, with a roomy cabin, a 1.5-liter turbo engine, and front-wheel drive or AWD. A substantial 2025 refresh brought revised styling, a redesigned dashboard, more power, and an 8-speed automatic for AWD models.
294 In Stock
2026
Carries over the refreshed design and 174-hp engine. Updates are limited to revised seatbelt safety features and small equipment changes by trim.
2025Mid-cycle update
Refreshed front and rear styling, a redesigned dashboard, and a standard 8-inch touchscreen arrived. Power increased to 174 hp, and AWD models switched to an 8-speed automatic.
2024Trim changes
The SE Black trim entered the lineup. The IQ.DRIVE safety suite, a heated steering wheel, rain-sensing wipers, and automatic high beams became standard across the range.
2023Trim changes
Forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection became standard across the lineup. The SE and SEL also gained additional standard features.
2022New generation
The all-new Taos debuted as Volkswagen’s smallest U.S. SUV, with a 1.5-liter turbo engine, standard digital gauges, and front-wheel drive or AWD.
What's new by year
See what changed in a specific model year of the Volkswagen Taos.
Frequently asked questions
What kind of vehicle is the Volkswagen Taos?
The Volkswagen Taos is a small five-seat SUV and Volkswagen’s smallest U.S. SUV. It is built for easy city driving while still providing useful rear-seat and cargo room.
Is the Volkswagen Taos roomy enough for a small SUV?
Yes. The Taos seats five and is designed to provide useful passenger and cargo space despite its compact footprint. In the latest lineup, it has 37.9 inches of rear legroom and 60.2 to 65.9 cubic feet of maximum cargo room, depending on drivetrain.
Is the Volkswagen Taos a good fit for a small family?
Yes. The Taos suits small-family duty with five seats, a roomy rear area for its size, and useful cargo capacity. Its compact dimensions also make commuting, errands, and city parking easier.
Does the Volkswagen Taos come as a hybrid?
No. The Taos has been a gas-powered SUV throughout its 2022-present model run. It uses a turbocharged four-cylinder engine rather than a hybrid system.
Does the Volkswagen Taos have all-wheel drive?
Yes. Taos models are found with front-wheel drive or Volkswagen’s 4MOTION all-wheel drive. The all-wheel-drive versions also use an independent rear suspension, while the exact transmission depends on model year.
How many generations of the Volkswagen Taos are there?
There is one Taos generation so far. It launched in the U.S. for 2022 and received a substantial refresh for 2025 rather than a full redesign.
What changed with the Volkswagen Taos refresh?
The refresh brought updated exterior styling, a redesigned dashboard, a standard 8-inch touchscreen, and more power. Output rose from 158 to 174 horsepower, and all-wheel-drive models changed from a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission to an 8-speed automatic.
Volkswagen Taos Reviews
What owners are saying about the Volkswagen Taos.
4.1
Volkswagen Taos
(662 reviews)
“The vehicle will get you where you need to go, but it is not the most reliable vehicle I've had. The heated seats are lukewarm warm at best - that's one of my biggest gripes. The controls are not intuitive, but get a little easier with time It's practical, zippy, and good on gas, but not a model I'd consider leasing again.”
“We like the way it looks, the gas mileage is very good, it is comfortable, I am proud to own it, my previous experience with this brand was very good.”
“Great value for the price point. It's rare for anyone to get in the car and not immediately compliment the interior design as it comes off as luxurious. High quality materials. Gas mileage is amazing and the vehicle is roomy for its size. Also handles well on steep inclines and rough terrain.”
“It is a great vehicle and it drives very smoothly. Great for travel and families”
“I love the gas mileage and safety features, but it does have a slow takeoff and the transmission is a little jerky at times. Overall, I found this car to be of a great value you get a whole [Name] car for what you're paying for.”