2025 Volkswagen Taos: Compact Crossover with European Flair

The Volkswagen Taos arrives with a refreshed design and enhanced features, solidifying its position in the competitive subcompact crossover segment. This latest iteration of the VW entry-level SUV brings updated styling, improved technology, and the versatility that urban drivers demand while maintaining its distinctly European character.

Refreshed Design

 

The Taos receives a significant visual update, notably at the front end with a redesigned bumper and grille. Higher trim levels feature an optional light bar that creates a distinctive presence on the road. The profile remains sleek and proportional, while new wheel designs (up to 19 inches) add to its contemporary appearance.

 

Colour options have expanded, with the eye-catching Serrano Green Metallic joining the palette. This vibrant hue helps the Taos stand out in a segment often dominated by more conventional colour choices.

 

Trim Levels and Features

 

The Taos lineup consists of four distinct trim levels, each offering progressively more features and refinement:

 

• Trendline: Available in both front-wheel drive and 4MOTION all-wheel drive configurations, the entry-level Trendline comes well-equipped with heated front seats, an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, digital instrument cluster, and essential driver assistance features. The FWD variant serves as the lineup’s most accessible option.

 

• Trendline 4MOTION: Adding the confidence of all-wheel drive, this variant maintains the same feature set as the standard Trendline but with enhanced all-weather capability.

 

• Comfortline 4MOTION: Stepping up to Comfortline brings dual-zone climate control, leatherette seating surfaces, heated steering wheel, and additional comfort features. The 4MOTION system comes standard at this level.

 

• Comfortline Black Edition 4MOTION: This style-focused variant adds blacked-out exterior elements, unique wheels, and special interior accents while maintaining the Comfortline’s feature set, creating a more distinctive appearance.

 

• Highline 4MOTION: The premium offering in the Taos family includes leather seating, panoramic sunroof, advanced driver assistance systems, and premium audio. Additional luxury touches include ambient lighting and memory driver’s seat.

 

Performance and Efficiency

 

All Taos models have a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 174 horsepower and 184 Nm of torque. This powertrain balances responsive performance with commendable efficiency.

 

Front-wheel drive models utilize a conventional 8-speed automatic transmission, while 4MOTION all-wheel drive variants employ a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic. The 4MOTION system can transfer power between the front and rear axles as needed, enhancing traction in challenging conditions.

 

Fuel efficiency ratings for the VW Taos are impressive for the segment, with city/highway/combined ratings of 9.4/7.2/8.4 L/100 km. This efficiency doesn’t come at the expense of performance, as the turbocharged engine delivers spirited acceleration, particularly in the midrange where most daily driving occurs.

 

Interior and Technology

 

Inside, the VW Taos receives noticeable upgrades with improved materials and a more contemporary layout. The 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system now “floats” above the dashboard rather than being recessed, creating a more modern appearance. The system features wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity across all trim levels.

 

A standout feature is the proximity sensor technology that detects when your hand approaches the screen, automatically displaying relevant menu options. This thoughtful detail keeps the interface clean when not in use while making navigation intuitive when needed.

 

The digital instrument cluster, standard across the lineup, offers customizable displays showing navigation directions, driver assistance information, or traditional gauges based on driver preference.

 

Climate controls have moved to a haptic-feedback panel, replacing the physical knobs and buttons of the previous generation. While this change aligns with current automotive trends, VW has tuned the system for responsiveness and ease of use.

 

Practicality and Space

 

Despite its compact exterior dimensions, the Taos offers impressive interior space. Rear passengers enjoy generous legroom, and the cabin feels airy, especially in models equipped with the panoramic sunroof.

 

Cargo capacity stands at 790 liters behind the second row, expanding to a maximum of 1,855 liters with the rear seats folded—figures that compete favorably with larger vehicles. The flat load floor and wide opening make loading bulky items straightforward.

 

Thoughtful storage solutions throughout the cabin include deep door pockets, a sizeable center console, and clever compartments for smaller items, enhancing everyday usability.

 

Safety and Driver Assistance

 

Volkswagen has equipped the VW Taos with a comprehensive suite of safety features. All trim levels include forward collision warning with autonomous emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-keeping assistance.

 

Higher trims add adaptive cruise control that can bring the vehicle to a complete stop and resume driving in traffic, as well as enhanced parking assistance features. The Taos has earned a 4-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with good performance in side impact testing.

 

Curiosities About the 2025 Volkswagen Taos

 

• The Taos nameplate is inspired by the small town of Taos, New Mexico. It is known for its artistic community and distinctive southwestern architecture—a nod to the vehicle’s blend of creative design and practical functionality.

 

• The Taos MQB platform architecture is shared with many other Volkswagen Group vehicles, including the Golf, enabling economies of scale that allow for more premium features at competitive price points.

 

• When equipped with 4MOTION, the Taos features a sophisticated multi-link rear suspension design, while front-wheel drive models utilize a torsion beam setup, creating subtly different driving characteristics between the two variants.

 

• The digital cockpit in the Taos processes over 800 million calculations per second to deliver smooth, responsive performance across its various displays and systems.

 

• The Taos is manufactured at the Volkswagen Puebla facility in Mexico, which has produced over 12 million vehicles since its opening and is one of the largest automotive manufacturing plants in North America.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

What engine is in the 2025 Volkswagen Taos?

 

• All models have a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 174 horsepower and 184 Nm of torque.

 

Does the 2025 Taos offer all-wheel drive?

 

• Yes, it is available with the Volkswagen 4MOTION all-wheel drive system on Trendline, Comfortline, Comfortline Black Edition, and Highline trims. Only the base Trendline is available in front-wheel drive configuration.

 

What is the fuel economy of the 2025 Volkswagen Taos?

 

• This SUV has official fuel economy ratings of 9.4 L/100 km city, 7.2 L/100 km highway, and 8.4 L/100 km combined.

 

How much cargo space does the 2025 Taos have?

 

• It offers 790 liters of cargo space behind the second row, expanding to 1,855 liters with the rear seats folded down.

 

What safety features come standard on the 2025 Taos?

 

• All models come standard with forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-keeping assistance.

 

Is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto available in the 2025 Taos?

 

• Yes, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity come standard across all trim levels.

 

What are the differences between the Comfortline and Comfortline Black Edition trims?

 

• The Comfortline Black Edition features unique black exterior styling elements, special wheels, and interior accents, while maintaining the same core feature set as the standard Comfortline.

 

Does the 2025 Taos have a digital instrument cluster?

 

• Yes, a digital instrument cluster comes standard on all trim levels.

 

What is the largest wheel size available on the 2025 Taos?

 

• This SUV offers wheels up to 19 inches in diameter on higher trim levels.

 

Does the 2025 Taos have a panoramic sunroof?

 

• Yes, a panoramic sunroof is available on the Highline trim level.

 

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