Comparing the Volkswagen Taos to the Competition

Taos vs. Chevrolet Trailblazer

The Chevrolet Trailblazer is a very affordable small SUV that has been very successful. Powered by a small turbocharged three-cylinder engine, it was made for space and efficiency. The four-door crossover comes in front-and all-wheel drive.

• When it comes to performance, the Taos has it. With more horsepower (174 vs. 138) and torque (184 lb-ft vs. 162 lb-ft) than the Trailblazer’s standard engine, it has more than enough power for passing and confident highway cruising.
• The Taos also delivers improved overall fuel economy. The Taos front-wheel-drive model is rated by the Environmental Protection Agency at 36 mpg on the highway, versus the Trailblazer’s 31 mpg. The Volkswagen is also rated at 31 mpg for combined city/highway driving, compared to the Trailblazer’s 30 mpg. With 4Motion all-wheel drive, the Taos is rated 33 mpg on the highway.
• A taller roof means better headroom for front- and rear-seat occupants. The Taos is measured at 40.7 inches up front and 39.9 inches in the second row, compared to the Trailblazer’s 39.98 inches and 38.4 inches, respectively.
• Did you know that the Volkswagen Taos S model has more standard equipment than the lowest-priced Trailblazer model? Standard features include a heated steering wheel, Adaptive Cruise Control, Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, and Lane Assist.

Taos vs. Kia Seltos

Kia’s compact SUV offers plenty of practicality. It also offers Kia’s unique design language, making it a standout in its class. The Seltos is available in front- and all-wheel drive.

• When it comes to performance, the Taos has it. With more horsepower (174 vs. 146) and torque (184 lb-ft vs. 132 lb-ft) than the Seltos, it has more than enough power for passing and confident highway cruising. You also have an eight-speed automatic transmission compared to a continuously variable transmission, delivering smoother shifts for a more efficient drive.
• The Taos also delivers improved overall fuel economy. The Taos front-wheel-drive model is rated by the Environmental Protection Agency at 36 mpg on the highway, compared with the Seltos front-wheel-drive model’s 34 mpg. With 4Motion all-wheel drive, the Taos is rated 33 mpg on the highway, compared to the Seltos all-wheel-drive model at 31 mpg.
• There is more cargo space in the Taos than in the Seltos. With the rear seats up, the Taos offers 27.9 cubic feet of space compared to 26.6 cubic feet in the Kia. This is expandable to 65.9 cubic feet, more than the Seltos’ 62.8 cubic feet.
• Did you know that the Volkswagen Taos S model has more standard equipment than a comparable Seltos model? Standard features include a heated steering wheel, Adaptive Cruise Control, Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, Lane Assist, and an on-board Wi-Fi hotspot.
• Our front-wheel-drive Taos S actually costs less than the lowest-priced front-drive Seltos by almost $200.

Taos vs. Nissan Kicks

The newly redesigned Kicks has grown. With a design unlike anything in its class, it offers plenty of space and personality, along with a larger 2.0-liter engine. Nissan’s new SUV is available in front- and all-wheel drive.

• When it comes to performance, the Taos has it. With more horsepower (174 vs. 141) and torque (184 lb-ft vs. 141 lb-ft) than the Kicks, it has more than enough power for passing and confident highway cruising.
• On the Taos, you have an eight-speed automatic transmission compared to a continuously variable transmission, delivering smoother shifts for a more efficient drive.
• The Taos also delivers improved overall fuel economy. The Taos front-wheel-drive model is rated by the Environmental Protection Agency at 36 mpg on the highway, compared with the Kicks’ front-drive models at 35 mpg.
• Did you know that the Volkswagen Taos S has more standard equipment than a comparable Kicks model? Standard features include a heated steering wheel, a rear armrest with a pass-through, roof rails, an Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, remote engine start, Wi-Fi Hotspot, and Lane Assist.
• A taller roof means better headroom for rear-seat occupants. The Taos has 39.8 inches of second-row legroom, compared to the Kicks’ 38.1 inches. The Volkswagen also tops the Nissan in rear legroom, with 37.9 inches compared to the Kicks’ 34.5 inches.

Taos vs. Subaru Crosstrek

Subaru offers a crossover with plenty of unique features. With standard all-wheel drive and a horizontally opposed engine, the Crosstrek was developed for a specific purpose. Its loyal customers love their Subarus because of these unique features. 

• When it comes to performance, the Taos has it. The Volkswagen has more horsepower (174 vs. 152) and torque (184 lb-ft vs. 145 lb-ft) than the Crosstrek’s standard engine. Regarding the larger Subaru engine, the Taos also offers more torque. Overall, it has more than enough power for passing and confident highway cruising.
• On the Taos, you have an eight-speed automatic transmission compared to a continuously variable transmission, delivering smoother shifts for a more efficient drive.
• The Taos also delivers improved overall fuel economy. The Taos front-wheel-drive model is rated by the Environmental Protection Agency at 36 mpg on the highway, compared with the Crosstrek’s standard 2.0-liter engine at 34 mpg.
• Did you know that the Volkswagen Taos S has more standard equipment than a comparable Crosstrek model? Standard features include a heated steering wheel, a rear armrest with a pass-through, push-button start, LED taillights, roof rails, Wi-Fi Hotspot, and Lane Assist.
• A taller roof means better headroom for rear-seat occupants. The Taos is measured at 39.8 inches in the second row, compared to the Crosstrek’s 38.0 inches. The Volkswagen also tops the Subaru in rear legroom, with 37.9 inches compared to the Crosstrek’s 36.5 inches.

Taos vs. Honda HR-V

Honda offers a small crossover with plenty of everything the brand has to offer with its HR-V. Available with front- or all-wheel drive, the HR-V offers plenty of features that Honda customers are looking for. Its loyal customers love their Hondas because of their historic reliability.

• When it comes to performance, the Taos has it. The Volkswagen has more horsepower (174 vs. 152) and torque (184 lb-ft vs. 145 lb-ft) than the HR-V’s standard engine. Regarding the larger Honda engine, the Taos also offers more torque. Overall, it has more than enough power for passing and confident highway cruising.
• On the Taos, you have an eight-speed automatic transmission compared to a continuously variable transmission, delivering smoother shifts for a more efficient drive.
• The Taos also delivers improved overall fuel economy. The Taos front-wheel-drive model is rated by the Environmental Protection Agency at 36 mpg on the highway, compared with the HR-V’s standard 2.0-liter engine at 34 mpg.
• Did you know that the Volkswagen Taos S has more standard equipment than a comparable HR-V model? Standard features include a heated steering wheel, a rear armrest with a pass-through, push-button start, LED taillights, roof rails, Wi-Fi Hotspot, and Lane Assist.
• A taller roof means better headroom for rear-seat occupants. The Taos is measured at 39.8 inches in the second row, compared to the HR-V’s 38.0 inches. The Volkswagen also tops the Honda in rear legroom, with 37.9 inches compared to the HR-V’s 36.5 inches.