Lengthy one among our favourite entries within the pint-sized sport-ute section, the Volkswagen Taos manages to ship most inside house and luxury in an urban-friendly package deal.
A “freshening” for the 2025 mannequin 12 months provides the Taos a sportier exterior, stouter turbo-four engine, a tweaked inside with improved tech and a regular eight-speed computerized transmission.
Small although it could be, the Taos impressed us with a roomy inside with adult-friendly lodging within the rear bench space. In truth, it’s not exhausting to view it as a three-quarter scale model of the midsize Tiguan and even the massive Atlas (minus the third row of seating, after all).
There are 4 trim ranges — S, SE, SEL Black and SEL — all of that are powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-four making 174 horsepower (a 17-hp bump over final 12 months’s mannequin) and 184 foot-pounds of torque. All however the SEL trim function a regular front-wheel-drive system; all-wheel drive (or 4Motion, in VeeDub-ese) is a cost-added choice. The SEL trim is AWD-only.
Additional, the seven-speed dual-clutch DSG computerized that got here with beforehand AWD-equipped samples isn’t any extra, as all Taos fashions share the identical eight-speed unit. The sooner FWD-equipped model’s torsion-beam rear suspension system has been changed with the extra refined multilink setup discovered within the AWD mannequin.
Pricing begins at a budget-minded $24,995 for S-trimmed FWD samples (4Motion provides $1,700 to that complete) and rises to $34,695 for the SEL trim’s full complement of bells and whistles. Even in its most elementary kind the Taos is well-equipped, sporting a set of 17-inch alloy wheels (18-inch for 4Motion fashions), a redesigned dashboard with 8-inch infotainment interface, rain-sensing wipers and keyless ignition.
Choosing the midline SE trim provides LED projector headlights, wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, computerized headlights, keyless entry and ignition, an eight-way energy driver’s seat, auto-dimming rearview mirror, in addition to heated entrance seats, washer nozzles and side-view mirrors.
Our top-of-the-line SEL-trimmed tester’s delivery-included $36,575 asking worth sweetened the cope with a set of good-looking 19-inch alloy wheels, ventilated entrance seats, leather-based upholstery, touch-screen controls for the automated local weather settings, adjustable inside ambient lighting and extra.
The Taos handles nimbly, making it a pleasure to drive, though we discovered the steering effort a contact too mild. The retuned engine additionally has the products on the subject of the day by day commute, delivering 0-to-60 mph in roughly seven seconds. The pronounced turbo lag we famous in a earlier mannequin 12 months has largely been banished as the present engine feels energetic off the road.
Instrumentation and controls are logically organized and straightforward to learn and function, although the contact local weather settings took slightly getting used to. The infotainment interface and digital gauge cluster function easy and unfussy graphics that introduced a no-nonsense German look.
Adults will discover loads of room within the agency and properly bolstered entrance seats, whereas the 60/40 split-folding rear bench ought to accommodate full-sizers with out criticism for shorter hops. AWD-equipped fashions get a 25-cubic-foot cargo maintain that expands to 60 cubic toes with the seats folded (FWD samples provide barely extra quantity). The Taos is just not really useful for towing.
OLD-SCHOOL ZOOM-ZOOM
We not too long ago have been paid a go to by one among our outdated four-wheeled buddies, the Mazda3. Making the reunion all of the happier was the stout turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-four (250 horsepower and 320 foot-pounds of torque) below its hood.
The Japanese automaker affords the subcompact Mazda3 in both four-door sedan or five-door hatchback configurations. There are two trim ranges — 2.5 S and a couple of.5 Turbo — which can be differentiated largely by four-cylinder engine alternative. The bottom 2.5-liter unit is of course aspirated and delivers an enough 191 horses and 186 foot-pounds of twist, however we recognize the turbo’s further stonk.
Base trim could be had with both a FWD or non-obligatory AWD system, whereas 2.5 Turbo-trimmed fashions get AWD as customary tools. All 3s are fitted with a six-speed computerized transmission.
Additional, every trim stage options its personal checklist of choices packages. The two.5 S-trimmed fashions could be had with Choose Sport, Most well-liked, Carbon Version or Premium adornments, whereas 2.5 Turbo samples are available Carson and Premium Plus flavors. Pricing begins simply shy of the 24-grand mark for FWD-equipped 2.5 S-trimmed autos and rises from there.
Our explicit tester was a full-on turbocharged hatchback outfitted with the Premium Plus package deal. Its lengthy checklist of goodies included a set of blackout 18-inch alloy wheels, leather-based upholstery, power-adjustable driver’s seat with reminiscence, heated entrance seats and steering wheel, wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity, a wi-fi charging pad, Bose premium audio and extra.
The three’s present design dates again to 2019, nevertheless it stays one among our favourite small vehicles. It handles nimbly, carving by means of turns with gusto, whereas the turbocharged engine offers sufficient oomph to make the going enjoyable. Energy builds rapidly, propelling the three to 60 mph in 5 seconds and alter. The experience can really feel a tad busy over lumpy pavement, however is kind of snug general.
Entrance-seaters will discover loads of room whereas the second row can deal with adults for shorter hops. The 20.1-cubic-foot cargo maintain betters the sedan’s by about 7 cubic toes, and expands to 47.1 cubes with the rear seatbacks folded.
2025 Volkswagen Taos SEL
Automobile kind: 4-door, five-passenger AWD subcompact sport-utility car.
Engine and transmission: 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-four (174 horsepower and 184 foot-pounds torque), eight-speed computerized.
Base/as-tested costs: $34,695/$36,595
EPA estimates: 25 mpg metropolis, 33 mpg freeway, 28 mpg mixed.
The great: Roomy and comfy cabin; upgraded turbo-four delivers extra energy, reduces turbo-lag famous in earlier mannequin years; good gasoline economic system; nimble chassis makes for an pleasing driving expertise; properly appointed and logically laid-out cabin brimming with tech; refreshed exterior design.
The dangerous: High trim stage prices practically as a lot because the roomier Tiguan; engine may nonetheless profit from one other 20 horses.
Backside line: The Taos’ agile dealing with and skill to comfortably haul individuals and their stuff is proof that good issues can are available smaller packages.
