2025 VW Taos: Surprisingly Spacious and Tech-Forward—and Not Surprisingly, Fun to Drive

How do you plus-up an already good-looking design? When VW introduced the Taos in 2022, the mission was to deliver a baby-bear sized version of the full-sized VW Atlas and the mama-bear VW Tiguan. While both were just right for larger or smaller families, some buyers didn’t need all the space (and didn’t want all the price) but loved the sharp, clean looks, the top-notch tech and VW’s hatchback heritage in a compact SUV.

For 2025 VW Taos is bigger, better, and sharper with new exterior design treatments, an updated interior, new engine and performance, and redesigned dash that features a semi-floating multimedia display. And VW brought more premium features, formerly only found in the top of the line SEL model, into the S and SE trims; each feels pretty plush for the price.

I couldn’t believe this compact SUV encompassed all of the everyday driving performance needs and creature comforts without breaking the bank. As soon as I locked eyes on the bold exterior colors I could tellVolkswagen listened to customer feedback, matching colors and performance with drivers who want embrace their wild side.

Read: Hey Goldilocks, Which Volkswagen SUV is Right for You? Comparing the VW Atlas, VW Tiguan and VW Taos

VW Taos’ four trims (S, SE, SE Black and SEL) carry a new exterior look all around. New bumper designs, a new grille with available light bar (in the SE Black and SEL) will get your attention for their newly-aligned look with other SUVs in the VW family, the Atlas and Tiguan. At the base trim S level, the LED projection headlights come standard, though and adaptive headlight system is available on the SE trim and up. The crisp, bright connected taillights and an illuminated Volkswagen badge complete the new look. All wheel drive can be added as an option on all except the SEL model, which has it standard, for an extra $1,700.

Also new are wheel designs for each trim: 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels on the base S trim for FWD, 18-inch wheels for the SE trim with the FWD model, and 19-inch wheels on the SEL trim level. For 19-inch black wheels, plus-up your SEL for $395 and roll up in an extra inch of style.

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Which color speaks to you? The new exterior options elevate the 2025 VW Taos and include Bright Moss Green Metallic, Monterey Blue Pearl, and Monument Gray. These are in addition to current exterior colors that include Deep Black Pearl, Platinum Gray Metallic, Pyrite Silver Metallic, Pure White, and Cornflower Blue—a fan favorite since the Taos was introduced just three years ago. Color means you’ll easily be able to find your car in the parking lot and stand out from the crowd.

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Ditching the door panel plastics, VW revamped interior features on the 2025 VW Taos with the premium touches we covet. With new materials across each trim, I found that the cloth and leatherette offerings felt more sophisticated than you would expect in a compact, budget-priced SUV due to contrasting stitching, classic styling, and even a new, personal favorite: a dark blue leatherette with a white contrast stitching on the SEL trim. That extra attention to detail goes a long way with this new design. You don’t often see this interior combo, and that alone creates a sublime driving mood. 

I want my car to match my style, and Taos keeps it classy with the right exterior and interior colors, wheels, and décor. But what about the tech? I’m here for the standard 8-inch digital cockpit across the S to SE Black trims which will feel premium on its own. The upgraded 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro on the SE and SEL trim, though feels quite advanced (especially at this price point). 

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The redesigned dash with its 8-inch semi-floating multimedia display is easy to access and now standard across all models. I like that the display is focused and not overwhelmingly large. I can tap into navigation, voice assistance, and phone calls without getting distracted. There are two dials for volume and tuning to complement the touch screen, so you’ve got the best of both worlds. With Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth compatible devices can connect wirelessly, or down below, you can also find two USB-C charging ports that connect your phone.

The touch sensitive automatic climate control panel on the SE trim and up is one of the many upgrades that was previously only available on the top of the line SEL model. For dial and button fans, there aren’t any, but the touch sensitive controls work well, something to keep in mind if you have a preference.

For small families, there’s the big question for the second-row passengers: are there air vents? Thankfully, there are, but you will need the driver or front passenger to adjust the temperature. 

For more safety in mind, VW’s IQ. Drive suite of driver assist and safety features became standard across the lineup in 2024. These features include lane keep assist assist, front collision avoidance, blind spot monitor, rear traffic alert and adaptive cruise control.

To supplement the driver assist features, VW also offers 5 years of Remote Access and Safe & Secure at no additional cost for both 2025 VW Taos and those who bought 2024 VW Taos models. Safe & Secure offers emergency assistance, automatic crash notifications, anti-theft alerts, stolen vehicle location services and H.E.L.P alerts.

H.E.L.P is a new system that VW has just implemented across its entire lineup of gas-powered cars and SUVs. If another car is off the highway shoulder for example, an in-dash H.E.L.P. notification pops up so you know there’s a disabled vehicle, emergency responders, and other road hazards ahead; it can also tell you if an emergency vehicle is approaching so you can get out of its way. VW takes this tech a step further by sending out a signal when you put your flashers; a dash notification asks if you want emergency services to be notified that you’re stranded.

For 2025, VW is rolling out “hey Volkswagen” voice assistance system; we’ve seen similar systems in posh brands like Audi and Porsche, but its really helpful in keeping your eyes on the road, not the touch screen. Once the system is activated (under settings), just use hte wake word —”Hey Volkswagen” and you can customize it if you’d like— and the assistant asks how to help. It’ll change the cabin temperature, set navigation or change the radio staiton, among other things.

For more connected tech features, Volkswagen’s Car-Net service option is a subscription-based app that allows you to add wifi in the car, monitor your car remotely, get crash notifications and a dedicated help line. Car Net also includes enhanced navigation and an exclusive suite of radio stations.

I didn’t realize how quiet the drive could be in a compact SUV. On a windy day, I didn’t have to turn up the music to drown out the outside noise, and I could hear my passenger with clarity. I anticipated at every twist, turn, bump, and stop that it would be felt, but I discovered a sense of calm inside the cabin. Cornering and stopping for deer on our path, I did not feel like I was on a winding road with loose gravel. Having less noise and an effortless, stable drive is a feat in itself and hard to do on I-10 and through rural back roads!

Acceleration with the 2025 VW Taos SEL 4Motion AWD’s 1.5L turbocharged four-cylinder TSI engine did not delay. When I put my foot down on the gas pedal, the 174 horsepower and 184 lb.-ft torque meant that whether I wanted to keep a steady pace, or go a little bit faster to get around traffic, I did not have to push the pedal and hope for speed. It was just there.

The compact SUV-size came in handy in parking lots. It’s easy to park between the lines without relying too much on cameras, as with larger cars. The easy size of the VW Taos also means youhave space to allow for assisting your child or car seat out of the second row.

Volkswagen offers its 4Motion all-wheel-drive system across all Taos models for a $1,700 upgrade on all but the top fo the line SEL model, which has it standard. AWD is great for more traction, less wheel slippage when weather or terrain are challenging. The system lets you switch between four settings to account for different driving conditions: on-road, snow, off-road, and off-road custom.

For those who live up north or anywhere with inclement weather, it is important to adjust to modes such as snow to avoid spinning your wheels and losing control. For normal weather, the front wheel drive option offers four settings within the on-road setting: normal, sport, comfort, and individual. 

Here are the engine options, pricing and MGP for the 2025 VW Taos

• S: $24,995 FWD | $26,695 4Motion AWD
• SE: $237,895 FWD | $29,595 4Motion AWD
• SE Black: $30,145 FWD | $31,845 4Motion AWD
• SEL: $34,695 4Motion AWD
• FWD models are estimated to get 31 MPG; AWD models, 28 MPG
• There is also a destination fee of $1,425.

With 99.5 cubic feet of passenger space, this is just 1.6 cubic feet less than the 2024 Tiguan, I can see how the most ideal fit is designed around a family of three. There is ample legroom and personal space to relax on the drive with 40.1 inches of legroom in the front and 37.9 inches in the second row. This means whether you’re 5’4” or have a 6’2” driver or passenger, there is enough room for everyone to feel accommodated on a comfortable drive. 

For families who need car seats, there are two full sets of LATCHes in the outboard seats and an upper tether for the middle seat. While its probably possible to fit three car seats across, it might be a tight squeeze even with slim car seats. Older kids in booster seats might be more comfortable in the rear seat of the VW Taos.

The 2025 VW Taos SEL 4Motion AWD has 24.9 cubic feet of space behind the second row, enough for all the kid gear, weekly shopping or road trip luggage. Fold the second row for 60.2 cubic feet of space. It’s nice to have ample space for passengers, legroom, and cargo, and the flexibility to configure it to fit your needs. 

We spent our test drive in the fully-loaded SEL model finished with a panoramic sunroof, allowing natural light in the day; ambient light illuminates the cabin at night thanks to the SEL-standard 10-color LED ambient lighting system that truly adds a wow factor and premium feel. I loved the elegantly finished interior details, the larger touch screen and the Cockpit Pro driver display that added even more capability. “Hey Volkswagen” is a fun feature that no doubt, the kiddos in the back will love as much as you do for easily accessing features without hunting-and-pecking on the media screen.

I was skeptical that a compact SUV could do double duty for a small family, but now I’m convinced. Yes, the larger Tiguan and Atlas provide more space and comforts, but for small families, downsizing empty nesters, first time car buyers or city dwellers, the VW Taos offers the compromise of space without compromising features or comfort.