DecodedCars2026 Volkswagen Taos
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2026 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, 4-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
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 1 campaign
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 38 similar 2026 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2026 Volkswagen Taos is a small SUV offered with a 1.5L 4-cyl turbo engine and front-wheel drive and 4-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), 3% better than the 2026 small SUV average of 30.2 MPG, for an estimated $2,150 a year in fuel.
It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the structure.
What changed for 2026
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2025 Taos — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2025; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2025 Taos →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Safety & driver-assist features
Built in: Puebla, Puebla
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 4 2026 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 | +3% | $2,150 | 287 |
| Taos 4motion | 1.5L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | 4-Wheel Drive | 25 / 33 / 28 | +8% | $2,400 | 318 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2026 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2026 Volkswagen Taos.
Similar 2026 small SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Volkswagen Taos (this car) | 31 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2026 Toyota RAV4 | 43 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2026 Honda CR-V | 40 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2026 Hyundai Tucson | 38 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
| 2026 Subaru Forester | 35 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2026 Mazda CX-5 | 26 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Kia Seltos | 29 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
Recalls (1)
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.
Not every 2026 Volkswagen Taos is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
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 →