Textual content by Tom Appel
2025 Volkswagen Taos SEL AWD
Specs
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Consolation | A |
| Energy and Efficiency | C+ |
| Match and End | B+ |
| Gasoline Economic system | B+ |
| Worth | B |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus different automobiles in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim degree evaluated, and will not replicate Client Information’s impressions of the complete mannequin lineup. | |
| Large & Tall Consolation | |
| Large Man | A |
| Tall Man | A- |
| Large & Tall consolation scores are for entrance seats solely. “Large” score based mostly on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” score based mostly on 6’6″-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 174-horsepower, 1.5-liter |
| Engine Kind | Turbocharged 4 |
| Transmission | 8-Velocity computerized |
| Drive Wheels | AWD |
Class: Subcompact Crossover
Nation of Manufacture: Mexico
Coloration: Monument Grey
Seating Capability: 5
Miles pushed: 139
Actual-world gas financial system: 29.1 mpg
Driving combine: 65% metropolis, 35% freeway
EPA-estimated gas financial system: 25/33/28 (metropolis, freeway, mixed)
Gasoline kind: Common Fuel
Base worth: $34,695 (not together with $1425 vacation spot cost)
Choices on take a look at car: Particular paint ($455), black-finish 19-inch alloy wheels ($395)
Worth as examined: $36,970
Audio-System High quality
Poor Honest Good Very-Good Wonderful
Execs and Cons
The nice: Roomy for sophistication, comfy cabin
The nice: Wonderful experience and dealing with steadiness, spectacular gas financial system
The not so good: Middling acceleration, unreliable infotainment system
Overview
Aside from the sporty GTI, and aggressively sporty Rthe Golf has been dropped from Volkswagen’s U.S. lineup. That leaves the German maker’s subcompact Taos to function entry-level ambassador for the model. Taos is now the least-expensive VW supplied within the States, and, and its solely “small” hatchback.
Updates
We put small in quotes as a result of the Taos doesn’t look or really feel particularly small. Extra on that momentarily…
Taos is freshened for 2025, and has been handled to an up to date cabin, a dose of additional horsepower, and a much-needed transmission repair.
Trim Ranges
For 2025 Volkswagen’s most inexpensive mannequin is obtainable in 4 trim rangeswith costs beginning slightly below $27,000. Right here’s a take a look at the 2025 lineup:
- S ($26,290)
- Se ($ 29,820)
- SE Black ($32,070)
- SEL ($36,620)
Engines
Energy once more comes from a turbocharged 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, although it cranks out extra energy this yr. The up to date powerplant is now rated at 174 horsepower, up 16 from final yr.
All fashions are actually fitted with a typical 8-speed computerized transmission, which simplifies issues a bit. For 2024, Taos fashions geared up with AWD got here with a 7-speed dual-clutch model computerizedwhich, frankly, was crude in operation.
AWD
Notice, too, that fashions geared up with AWD are fitted with a slightly subtle multilink rear suspensionthis rather than a extra widespread (learn low tech) torsion-beam association. (On condition that going AWD solely provides $1700 to the underside line, we heartily suggest doing so.)
Take a look at Automotive
Client Information just lately spent every week behind the wheel of a 2025 Taos SEL AWD in extra-cost Monument Grey with the non-obligatory black-finish alloy wheels. All informed, our take a look at automotive got here to $36,970 together with vacation spot cost.
Coloration
A fast be aware on the colour of our take a look at automotive: Monument Grey is a dreary sounding identify for what ought to be a dreary automotive colour. Nonetheless, our take a look at automotive loved a bit of bluish pop that helped it stand out a in site visitors. Our level? Monument Grey isn’t simply one other uninteresting silver/grey tone, however the distinction is delicate.
Room and Consolation
Volkswagen crossovers have at all times appeared a bit of larger on the within than their exterior footprints would possibly recommend, and the Taos isn’t any totally different. There’s loads of big-guy area within the entrance row, and ample grownup area within the 2nd-row, one thing we can not say for many of the automobiles within the subcompact crossover class.
There’s additionally a stunning quantity of cargo area after of the twond row, which suggests that you just and three grownup mates may take off for a number of days in consolation.
Cabin Appointments
The cabin is properly completed, too. There are nonetheless some hard-plastic components included into the cabin trim, however for probably the most half issues look stylish, and really feel high-quality. Additionally, the whole lot seems to be tidy and effectively assembled, in an old-school German-car type of means.
Controls
We don’t love the management/infotainment system, but it surely has gotten higher, and works fairly effectively. The touchscreen interface remains to be, often, sluggish to answer inputs, and is much less logically arrayed than the likes of that discovered within the Toyota RAV4, for instance.
Additionally, utilizing the native system—versus Apple CarPlay—audio playback frustrates. The data for the music/podcast being play is mostly incorrect, and capabilities like “shuffle” don’t really work.
(This editor discovered utilizing shuffle to randomize his music playlist at all times resulted within the system enjoying a single randomly chosen album in its entirety.)
Nonetheless, the system is an enchancment over that discovered within the previous-generation Taos. Additionally, the audio system really sounds superb.
Haptic Controls
Whereas we’re on the topic, the “haptic” (finger slide) local weather controls seem to be an pointless complication. Whereas the haptic contact pads work fairly effectively, they don’t work in addition to easy knobs or buttons. They’re, nevertheless, backlit, so discovering and utilizing the controls at night time is straightforward.
Experience and Dealing with
Underway, the Taos is calm and composed. Experience high quality ranks with the most effective at school, and cabin quietness—even at freeway velocity—is a Taos plus. This little (type of little) crossover additionally handles effectively, bordering on really being sporty. There’s loads of old-school steering really feel, and solely reasonable lean in tight corners.
Energy and Efficiency
As we famous earlier, Taos enjoys an influence bump for 2025, although we actually don’t detect a lot of a change in efficiency. Taos is cheap snappy off the road, and round city, however needs for reserve energy when passing or merging, particularly with a full load of passengers. There may be additionally some irritating turbo lag—a delay in acceleration after the throttle is depressed—which manifests primarily at freeway speeds. Whereas there’s enough energy for many conditions, extra aggressive drivers could also be upset by the shortage of reserve oomph.
Excellent news: The little 1.5-liter engine typically sounds refined, and works very effectively with the usual 8-speed computerized. That is excellent news, because the 7-speed DCT-style transmission beforehand normal on AWD fashions was merely horrible. It’s crude and ill-time shifts have been a deal breaker for us.
Gasoline Economic system
And whereas the 2025 Taos might not ship sports-car-like energy, it’s frugal. We averaged higher than 29 mpg in routine driving. And, the Taos will run simply advantageous on regular-grade gasoline.
Worth
Whereas we want the Taos was a bit of faster, and maybe a bit of extra inexpensive in prime trim ranges, it’s a stylish, refined, and finally useful small crossover that completely deserves a spot in your test-drive quick record. Notice, too, that if you happen to’re purchasing within the class and wish actual rear-seat passenger area, Taos is a should see. For extra Client Information evaluations, click on right here.
Hearken to the Automotive Stuff Podcast
2025 Volkswagen Taos SEL Photos
Click on beneath for enlarged photos
2025 Mazda CX-30 Turbo Premium Plus: Overview, Costs, and Specs
