2025 Volkswagen Taos: Is VW’s Compact Crossover Up for Adventure?

But what if you don’t want to commit to a life of aftermarket parts and less money in your piggy bank? What if you want a small vehicle that can handle light off-pavement duties and cross-country road tripping alike?

The new 2025 Volkswagen Taos compact SUV, when equipped with the 4Motion all-wheel-drive system, aims to fulfill this space. So can the Taos be an advantageous adventure vehicle?

The 2025 Volkswagen Taos’ Highlights
I was invited to San Antonio, Texas, to test the newly refreshed Taos lineup. VW’s Taos is the smallest SUV in the automaker’s roster but it’s spacious with good cargo room. It’s a practical platform with updated styling, including new front- and rear-end fascia.

The latest Taos includes new upgrades, like an updated interior and a more powerful engine, too, for equal or slightly more cost than the outgoing model.

The 2025 Volkswagen Taos has a revised turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine. This powerplant boosts its horsepower to 174, a 16-HP jump from its outgoing model year that had 158 HP.

TheTaos has 184 lb-ft of torque (same as last year) and is available in all-wheel-drive (AWD) and front-wheel drive (FWD) models. AWD trims also return to a conventional eight-speed transmission (versus the seven-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic they previously had).

Taos’ top competitors are the Toyota Corolla Cross, Mazda CX-30, Honda HR-V, and an AWD adventuring favorite: the Subaru Crosstrek. However, VW features upgrades on the Taos to set it apart from the pack: ventilated front seats (SEL only), a factory panoramic sunroof (optional on SE and standard on SEL), and VW’s IQ.DRIVE advanced driver assistance technology (now standard across all trims).

Styling Impressions
Taos has updated styling with an oversized high-gloss grille and LED projector headlights, now standard on all models. It has a timeless side and rear appearance, but the high-gloss finishes could wear prematurely if not cleaned carefully.

Taos includes factory roof rails allowing for a host of roof-mounted accessories installed on crossbars. From cargo baskets or ski carriers to rooftop tents or mountain bike racks, Taos will have plenty of roof space for whatever you put up there.

The Taos comes in eight exterior colors, including new Monument Gray, Monterey Blue Pearl, and Bright Moss Green Metallic (which was my tester’s color). Different interior material options are available, which are mostly black and gray. A new bright blue leather option was added for the SEL trim.

Pricing, Size, and Fuel Economy
While FWD models are available in the lower two trims (S and SE), AWD is offered in all trims: S, SE SE Black, and SEL. And let’s face it—if this is going to be an adventure vehicle, you’ll want the AWD.

The starting MSRP for the least expensive 4Motion AWD model is the S at $26,695, with SE beginning at $29.595, SE Black starting at $31,845, and top-of-the-line SEL at $34,695 and up. Destination fee is $1,425 extra.

The 2025 Taos is 175.9 inches long and 10.2 inches shorter than the 2024 Tiguan. The AWD Taos is 72.5 inches wide, 65.1 inches tall, and has a wheelbase of 105.5 inches. It has 99.5 cubic feet of passenger space, with all-wheel-drive models boasting 24.9 cubic feet of space behind the second row (and 60.2 cubic feet when the second row is folded). This should allow for ample room for gear, a fridge/freezer, or other adventure gear.

The 2025 VW AWD Taos has EPA-estimated ratings of 25 mpg city, 33 mpg highway, and 28 mpg combined—sipping less fuel than competitors like the 2025 Subaru Wilderness Crosstrek.

Taos SUV Warranty and Safety
The 2025 Taos comes with a bumper-to-bumper four-year and 50,000-mile limited warranty. VW also includes a Carefree Maintenance Program that provides scheduled maintenance services at no extra cost at one year or 10,000 miles (whichever comes first), and then at two years or 20,000 miles (whichever occurs first).

Taos owners also receive complimentary safety and service features. Volkswagen’s 24-Hour Roadside Assistance Program coverage lasts for three years or 36,000 miles. Roadside Awareness Alerts inform drivers of disabled vehicles, emergency crews, or other issues via in-dash updates.

Five years of Sales and Service is also included at no extra cost. This consists of Emergency Assistance, Information Assistance, Automatic Crash Notification, Anti-Theft Alert (requires the myVW app), Stolen Vehicle Location Assistance, Vehicle H.E.L.P., and Roadside Awareness Alerts. Volkswagen also includes enhanced Car-Net services for the 2025 model-year (additional fees may apply).

Interior Accoutrements and Infotainment System
Taos trims showcase an 8-inch infotainment system with two small knobs. The infotainment system is touchscreen and relatively easy to use. Full-touch climate controls sit just below it (sadly, no knobs found here). The climate control system, with its touch-sensitive buttons and swipe-to-adjust controls, however, invites constant fingerprint smudges with its high-gloss surfaces.

The VW Taos features two USB-C ports with 45-watt fast charging, a 12-volt outlet, and wireless charging in the center stack. One charge-only port is located in the storage console. Bluetooth technology is also available for compatible devices.

The Volkswagen Digital Cockpit system, standard on all Taos trims, showcases a fully digital instrument cluster. Base S AWD models feature an 8-inch display with two views and customizable widgets showing information.

Step it up with SE and SEL AWD models and you get the 10.25-inch fully configurable Digital Cockpit Pro. It has up to four views—including full-screen navigation—with a multitude of viewing options. When equipped with navigation, drivers can see a full-screen map in the Digital Cockpit system as well as the center infotainment system display.

The center stack is connected to high-gloss materials, in particular a large horizontal swath of piano black and gray glass that spans the entire dash. During my short time with it, dust accumulated on this area. I wondered how well it’d stand up against dirt-induced adventure days after being cleaned.

Volkswagen’s 4Motion All-Wheel-Drive System
Volkswagen’s 4Motion all-wheel-drive system is available on all Taos models. The latest generation 4Motion system is designed to activate before wheelspin happens, helping to eliminate traction issues.

VW explains, “The system achieves this by using an advanced control function based on specific driving conditions. When operating under a relatively low load or when coasting, the front wheels are driven and the rear wheels are decoupled, a feature designed to help to save fuel. However, the rear wheels can be engaged in fractions of a second whenever necessary via the center differential, which is activated by an electro-hydraulic oil pump.”

Volkswagen continues to say, “A control unit continually calculates the ideal drive torque for the rear wheels and controls how much the multi-plate clutch should be closed by activating the oil pump. The oil pressure increases the contact pressure at the clutch plates in proportion to the torque desired at the rear axle. So, the amount of pressure applied to the clutch plates can be used to continuously vary the amount of torque going between the front and rear wheels, up to a maximum of 50% at the rear axle.”

Driving Modes
The 2025 Volkswagen AWD Taos SUVs have different drive modes: Normal, Eco, Sport, and Custom. Custom allows for a customizable driving mode. It can change the following attributes: steering, drivetrain, ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control), light assist, and climate control.

Additionally, all AWD Taos trims feature Active Control, which allows the driver to select certain driving profiles based on road or trail conditions. It has four settings: Snow, On-Road, Off-Road, and Off-Road Custom.

On-Road includes the aforementioned drive modes. These change things like the steering, engine, transmission, and ACC, as well as traction-assistance systems like Hill Start Assist and Hill Descent Assist. Both systems are simple to use and are instituted via a lower center console knob and push button.

Off-Road Mode and Off-Road Mode Customization
Off-Road mode has similar throttle and transmission characteristics to Snow mode. It shuts off the Start/Stop system; ACC operates ordinarily.

The ESC system becomes less sensitive, allowing for better off-pavement usability. Hill Descent Control is automatically activated when drivers reach a slope of 10 percent or more. This system functions at speeds between approximately 1 MPH and 19 MPH. It can be adjusted by using the vehicle’s brakes or throttle.

Due to Off-Road ABS programming, the 2025 AWD Taos has better braking ability in off-road situations. Volkswagen says, “The wheels can lock up briefly before the system reduces the brake pressure. This allows time for a small wedge of material from the ground (such as gravel or sand) to build up in front of the wheel, thus helping increase the braking effect. This means that the car remains steerable while its stopping distance can be substantially reduced.”

When customizing the Off-Road Custom mode, drivers can change the following items: Hill Descent Control, Hill Start Control, all-wheel-drive, steering, drivetrain, ACC, light assist and climate control. Depending on the feature, adjustments could turn some items on or off or put in Normal or Off-Road mode.

Note: Off-Road Custom mode is not available for 2025 base S 4Motion AWD autos. If it’s selected, it’ll operate in the same manner as Off-Road.

There’s also a checklist in the Digital Cockpit system where you can uncheck features individually.

Taos Tire Sizes and More
The base AWD S Taos comes with 18-inch five-spoke machined alloys with 215/55 all-season tires. SE AWD models are equipped with machined split five-spoke in the same tire size. The AWD SE Black AWD Taos SUV features black, 19-inch wheels wrapped in 235/45 tires. AWD SEL models sport the same style wheel but in a machined finish. However, they can be upgraded to the SE Black 4Motion wheel if desired.

The Taos isn’t available with factory-supplied all-terrain tires. But if you’re looking to upgrade to all-terrain tires to make your Taos more off-road worthy, going to a 17 wheel and 215/60 tires should get the job done and maintain the factory tire diameter and not affect the speedometer. I’m not sure about the largest tire size that will fit on a stock Taos.

The AWD Taos have 7.6 inches of ground clearance, as well as a 17.5” approach angle, an 18.2” breakover angle, and a 25.0” departure angle.

Driving impressions
Armed with more horsepower, the 2025 Volkswagen Taos compact SUV is fun to drive and handles well, as most VWs do. Our AWD ride is relaxed with evenly weighted steering. It has great visibility on nearly all sides. Sporty seats begged for long drive-times. Acceleration from a dead stop wasn’t neck snapping, but was adequate.

Once at speed, however, the AWD VW Taos cruises comfortably with smooth shifts and a composed suspension. Passing potential is somewhat limited—I’d prefer 50 more horsepower for quicker responses.

Putting Taos into Sport mode made the driving experience more spirited. The compact SUV shifts more aggressively, with different throttle response and steering to engage the driver more.

Though I didn’t have the chance to test the Taos on a proper off-pavement trail, I see potential in the Taos SUV as a fun, adventurous little softroader. It has a spacious interior to take on light-duty trails for hiking, camping, or exploring (as long as you’re not wanting the next size up: the Tiguan).

Pros and Cons
The pros outweigh the cons, in my opinion. Volkswagen has updated the 2025 Taos lineup in many ways. But is it worth handing over more Benjamins vs. other AWD SUV competitors?

The good things:

• The 2025 Volkswagen Taos AWD SUV has a spacious rear cargo area and interior cabin.
• The suspension felt supportive and comfortable when in offroad mode and cruising on the highway.
• The factory optional panoramic sunroof (standard on SEL) is huge, one-touch operational, and allows nature to flow within.
• The SEL trim has heated and ventilated front seats, heated seats for SE model.
• Although some manufacturers are doing away with 12-volt DC outlets, VW includes one in the Taos’ center stack (along with two USB-C outlets). They also feature one charge-only port in the storage console.
• The front seats are comfortable, stylish, and kept me planted even when driving on twisting country roads.

Things to improve/change:

• Piano black dash accents will scratch easily and show fingerprints, smudges, and sun glare. The first time cleaning it once dusty from adventuring fun, it’ll most likely scratch.
• Anemic power when full throttle with Eco or Normal mode, but better response and throttle output is in Sport mode, but still lagged a short time before engaging.
• The Volkswagen Digital Cockpit system seemed to show different speed limit signs at odd intervals vs. the navigation system, even showing 90 mph twice in a 60 MPH zone.
• There is a decent amount of wind/road noise.
• My SEL Bright Moss Green Metallic tester donned a front silver grille accent ring that looks out of place. I would’ve liked to have seen dark gray or something more subtle on all trims.
• Wishing for knobs and tactile hard controls for all HVAC controls vs. the digital interface and touch-style buttons the Taos currently features.

2025 Volkswagen Taos Summation
If you’re looking for a compact SUV that has a generously sized interior cabin, lots of safety and convenience features, and has an Off-Road mode (or a customizable one) that can take you down gravel roads and light-duty trails competently, the AWD VW Taos should be looked at. Is it the most capable softroaders we’ve seen? No. But then again, sometimes you need a road-worthy SUV that can tackle easier terrain off-pavement than other makes or models.

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