Starts at $24,995
Rank
Pros
Cons
What's New for 2025?
The 2025 Taos gets a significant refresh that includes tweaked exterior styling, standard LED headlights and a reshaped dashboard with an 8-inch touchscreen that's standard across the lineup. Also, the all-wheel-drive Taos ditches its "DSG" dual-clutch automated manual in favor of a conventional eight-speed automatic to match the front-drive version, while the 1.5-liter turbo four-cylinder engine gets 16 extra horsepower. Unfortunately, VW's touch-based climate controls have made it into the 2025 Taos, replacing last year's foolproof knobs.
FAST FACTS
"The Taos stands out in this segment for its energetic acceleration, sprinting to 60 mph in about 7.5 seconds with either front- or all-wheel drive. Multiple rivals can't even break the 9-second barrier, so that's serious speed for a subcompact SUV — and although some of the models here offer optional engine upgrades, the Taos comes standard with swiftness. VW's smallest SUV doesn't skimp on fuel economy, either, so you get to have it both ways. Additional strengths include generous cargo space and surprisingly decent rear legroom, but the mandatory 8-inch touchscreen is underwhelming. Another issue is that the new-for-2025 climate controls have sworn off knobs in favor of a distracting touch-based interface."—Ranked #3 out of 18 Subcompact SUVs
Publisher and Donkey-in-Chief
Josh has been reviewing cars professionally since joining Edmunds.com fresh out of grad school in 2008, personally driving most new cars on the market every year since. He also served as the project manager for Edmunds' expert vehicle rankings from their inception in 2018, building the product out from the back end to the front end. Josh is a card-carrying member of the Motor Press Guild and a lifelong car nut who has tested, compared and critiqued a ridiculous number of cars in his career.
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