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The Volkswagen Taos is a stylish, compact crossover that serves as the entry point to the brand's SUV lineup. It may be an entry level model in terms of price and positioning, but with its recent styling refresh and a full complement of standard features, the Taos does not feel like one. For first-time buyers or small families, the Taos could be an ideal choice.
Following a complete refresh for the 2025 model year with updated styling and added power, the Taos remains largely unchanged for 2026. However, the top-level SEL adds a premium audio system, and the upgraded wireless smartphone charging system now delivers 15 watts of power.
Photo: Perry Stern
Volkswagen offers the five-passenger 2026 Taos in four trim levels: S, SE, SE Black, and SEL. All-wheel drive (AWD) is standard on the SEL and optional on all other trims for an additional $1,700. Base prices range from around $28,000 to $37,500, including the destination charge.
For this 2026 Taos review, Volkswagen provided a test vehicle equipped with the SEL trim and the following options:
The test vehicle's manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP) was $38,225, including the $1,475 destination charge to ship the crossover SUV from the Puebla, Mexico, assembly plant to a local dealership. The price does not reflect any current rebates, incentives, or price adjustments since Volkswagen manufactured the test vehicle.
Photo: Perry Stern
The Taos received a significant refresh for 2025, adopting exterior styling cues similar to those of the larger Tiguan. Beyond a new face, the Taos features a stylish interior with an upscale vibe. The materials have a high quality feel, and the clean dashboard design gives the Taos a higher end vibe.
An 8-inch central touchscreen is standard on all 2026 Taos trims. The display sits on the dashboard, which seems a bit cumbersome compared to the previous version, which was better integrated. While it is clear and easy to navigate, the screen looks small given the oversized frame. A 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster is available, adding a high-tech look and offering multiple configurations.
Stylish front seats complement the premium look, especially in my SEL test vehicle, which featured Night Blue leather trim with contrasting stitching and piping. Heating and ventilation are available, and the driver's seat in the SEL is power-adjustable. With good padding and support, I found the seats quite comfortable, even after my three-hour road trip to Indiana. Given the typical Michigan winter conditions, the heated steering wheel was quite welcome.
Unlike many competitors, the Taos keeps the larger gear selector in the center console, limiting storage options. The bin under the armrest is relatively small, and aside from the cupholders and the front tray with the wireless charger, there are not many places to store smaller items. However, the large bottle holders in the doors allow the cupholders to be used for other storage items.
While the rear seats lack the bolstering of the front seats, the style is similar, and they are reasonably comfortable. Legroom and headroom are more than adequate for most adults, though the floor hump makes the middle seat a better fit for small children. Rear seat passengers can keep their devices charged with the dual USB-C ports in the center console.
Given its overall small size, the Taos offers a surprisingly spacious cargo area, with almost 25 cubic feet of storage on AWD variants; you get three more cubic feet with front-wheel-drive (FWD) models. That is more than enough for a few roller bags or a week's worth of groceries. If you are really hungry when visiting the store, folding the 60/40 split rear seats expands the cargo space to 60.2 cubic feet, providing room for all the extra snacks.
Photo: Perry Stern
While Volkswagen offers the more advanced MIB4 infotainment system in several of its newer models, the 2026 Taos sticks with the previous-generation MIB3. An 8-inch touchscreen display is standard across the lineup, with no larger option available, and all but the base-level S trim include a 10.25-inch configurable digital gauge cluster.
The standard infotainment system includes:
Higher trims also include a six-speaker sound system, wireless phone charging, additional USB-C ports for rear seat passengers, and a voice interface. The top level SEL also features native navigation and a premium audio system.
While the 8-inch display is perfectly adequate, it seems small by today's standards, especially compared with competitors like the Kia Seltos or Subaru Crosstrek, which offer much larger displays. The infotainment system is easy to navigate, featuring large, easy-to-read icons and physical buttons surrounding the screen with shortcuts to audio, navigation, and other menu items. I also appreciate that Volkswagen kept the traditional volume and tuning knobs, which are not found on other Volkswagens with the newer MIB4 infotainment system.
The voice interface on the Taos is rather basic, requiring specific phrases to navigate to a point of interest or make hands-free calls. It is not nearly as sophisticated as the natural-language interaction with Google Assistant, which is available when connecting Android Auto. Both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard with a wireless connection, and setup is quick and easy. With my Samsung Galaxy S23+ connected via Bluetooth, Android Auto launched every time I started the Taos.
Adding to the Volkswagen's high-tech look is the Digital Cockpit, which comes standard on all trims. The Taos S includes an 8-inch gauge cluster, while SE and SEL trims upgrade to the 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro. The larger display offers four views, including full-screen navigation.
Photo: Perry Stern
All 2026 Volkswagen Taos crossovers come standard with a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers 174 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. My SEL test vehicle came standard with VW’s 4Motion AWD.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the 2026 VW Taos with AWD is estimated to get 28 mpg combined. That figure rises to 31 mpg for FWD variants. During my time behind the wheel of the Taos, the trip computer showed exactly what the EPA estimated: 28 mpg.
The Taos is not particularly powerful, and it can feel unresponsive when accelerating from a stop. However, if you are not worried about winning the green light drag race, there is enough power for most driving situations, and once it is underway, smooth downshifts make the small Volkswagen feel quick. Passing on a two-lane road or crossing a busy intersection does require some planning, but it will get the job done.
Getting up to freeway speed is not much of a problem, and the Taos easily cruises at 70 mph. There is a bit of wind noise at that speed, and the engine can be buzzy under hard acceleration, but otherwise the cabin remains quiet unless you are blasting music on the premium audio system. The suspension did a nice job of keeping the ride smooth on Michigan's bumpy interstates, and overall, it delivered an enjoyable ride during my road trip to Indiana.
It may not be quick, but the Taos delivers respectable handling, good steering response, and a composed ride. Braking is predictable, and the SUV's compact size makes it easy to maneuver around town or on backcountry roads.
Photo: Perry Stern
The Taos may sit at the entry level of the Volkswagen SUV lineup, but all trims come standard with IQ.Drive, the brand's suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). It's unusual for features like adaptive cruise control and rear cross-traffic warning to be standard on an SUV with such a low starting price.
IQ.Drive features include:
I made extensive use of the Travel Assist feature in the Taos, which combines adaptive cruise control and lane centering to provide a semi-autonomous driving experience. I set the cruise control to 70 mph, and the driver display indicator showed that Travel Assist was operating.
While this is not a hands-free system, Travel Assist provides steering input to keep the Taos centered in the lane, and it does a fine job with minimal back-and-forth movement. Curves pose no issue, as the Taos provides enough steering force to stay in its lane.
Like a typical adaptive cruise control, the Taos reduced speed when it approached a slower vehicle and accelerated back to the set pace once the lane was clear. The system worked well, but the acceleration and braking were more abrupt than I expected.
The Taos also features Emergency Assist (automatic emergency stop assistance), which will bring the vehicle to a safe stop and contact emergency services if Travel Assist is in use and the driver becomes unresponsive.
The 2026 Volkswagen Taos earned an overall safety rating of four out of five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). However, as of this writing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has not released crash test ratings for the 2026 Taos.
According to the JD Power 2025 Initial Quality Study (IQS), the Buick Encore GX ranks highest in the Small SUV segment. The Kia Soul ranks second, and the Chevrolet Trailblazer and Ford Bronco Sport rank third (in a tie).
According to the JD Power 2025 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study, the Mini Countryman ranks highest in the Small SUV segment. The Hyundai Kona and the Buick Envista are the next highest-ranked models.
Other 2026 Taos competitors include the Honda HR-V, Hyundai Venue, Kia Seltos, Mazda CX-30, Nissan Kicks, and Subaru Crosstrek.
