DecodedCars2025 Volkswagen Taos
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2025 models.
- Class
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
- Body styles
- 4dr SUV AWD, 4dr SUV FWD
- Engines
- 1.5L 4-cyl turbo
- Horsepower
- 174 hp
- Transmission
- 8-speed automatic
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
- Seats
- 5
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 31 combined · 28 city / 36 hwy
- Length
- 176 in
- Curb weight
- 3,175–3,430 lb
- NHTSA rating
- ★★★★★
- Recalls
- 2 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
- Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 36 similar 2025 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2025 Volkswagen Taos is a small SUV offered with a 1.5L 4-cyl turbo engine and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 176 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 106-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,430 lb (4dr SUV AWD).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 31 MPG combined (28 city / 36 highway), 7% better than the 2025 small SUV average of 29 MPG, for an estimated $2,150 a year in fuel.
In NHTSA crash testing it earned a 4-star overall rating.
It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 12 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.
What changed for 2025
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2024 Taos — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2024; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2024 Taos →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Safety & driver-assist features
Built in: Puebla, Puebla
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2025 Taos configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr SUV AWD | 176 in | 72.8 in | 64.6 in | 105.9 in | 61.8 / 60.6 in | 3,430 lb | 59/41 |
| 4dr SUV FWD | 176 in | 72.8 in | 64.6 in | 105.9 in | 61.8 / 60.6 in | 3,175 lb | 59/49 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taos | 1.5L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | Front-Wheel Drive | 28 / 36 / 31 | +7% | $2,150 | 287 |
| Taos 4motion | 1.5L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 25 / 33 / 28 | +9% | $2,400 | 318 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2025 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Volkswagen Taos SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 4★ / 4★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 14.7% |
| 2025 Volkswagen Taos SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 4★ / 4★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 17.4% |
Similar 2025 small SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Volkswagen Taos (this car) | 31 MPG | ★★★★★ | 2 |
| 2025 Toyota RAV4 | 39 MPG | ★★★★★ | 4 |
| 2025 Honda CR-V | 40 MPG | ★★★★★ | 6 |
| 2025 Ford Bronco | 20 MPG | Not rated | 19 |
| 2025 Hyundai Tucson | 38 MPG | ★★★★★ | 7 |
| 2025 Subaru Forester | 35 MPG | ★★★★★ | 4 |
| 2025 Mazda CX-5 | 28 MPG | ★★★★★ | 0 |
Recalls (2)
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Pressure Sensor · Apr 22, 2026
NHTSA campaign 26V258000 · 38,710 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Taos vehicles. In the event of a rear-end crash, the fuel pressure sensor may dislodge or separate from the fuel tank. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 301, "Fuel System Integrity."
- Risk
- A fuel tank with a dislodged or separated fuel pressure sensor can leak fuel after a rollover crash, increasing the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Dealers will install a fuel pressure sensor wiring harness extension, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 4, 2026. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 97TH. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning April 29, 2026.
Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel · Mar 25, 2026
NHTSA campaign 26V185000 · 75,323 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2025 Jetta and Taos vehicles. The instrument panel may fail to display warning lights or gauges. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Control and Displays."
- Risk
- An instrument panel that does not display critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, can increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will update the instrument panel software and replace the instrument panel as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 22, 2026. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 90Z5. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 22, 2026.
Not every 2025 Volkswagen Taos is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2025 Volkswagen Taos buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Electrical System — 5 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Engine — 3 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Vehicle Speed Control — 2 owner reports. Ask the seller and mechanic specifically about this system.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2025 Volkswagen Taos. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Taos years
Compare all years →Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Volkswagen. How we calculate this →