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You Are What You Drive - A Bottom Line Review
By Tony Leopardo - The Car Guy © AutoWire.Net
What is a Taos? The Taos is a 5 passenger subcompact crossover SUV built in the Puebla, Mexico assembly plant and sold worldwide by Volkswagen. The Taos is the smallest and most affordable entry in VW's sport utility vehicle SUV lineup. Positioned directly beneath the larger Tiguan, it's a direct and more spacious replacement for the discontinued VW Golf hatchback that was sold in the United States for over 46 years, from December 1974 through the 2021 model year.
The 2026 VW Taos specifications & metrics are:
Engine: Every Taos is powered by a 1.5L liter turbocharged 4 cylinder gas engine with 174 HP horsepower with 184 lb-ft of torque.
Transmission: The engine is paired with a 8 speed automatic transmission.
Drivetrain: It comes standard with front wheel drive FWD, and VW’s 4MOTION all wheel drive AWD is optional across most trims. Choosing AWD replaces the basic rear suspension with a more sophisticated multi-link setup that improves the ride, handling, and cornering agility.
Fuel Economy: It is very fuel efficient for its class, averaging around 31 MPG combined driving for FWD models, and 28 MPG in combined daily driving for the AWD models.
Standout features for its size:
Roominess: Despite its small exterior footprint, the Taos has exceptionally adult friendly size rear seats, and 65.9 cubic feet of maximum cargo capacity when the rear seats are folded down.
Safety Tech: It has VW's standard IQ.DRIVE safety suite, which provides semi automated driving features like adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking.
Digital Cockpit: Traditional analog gauge dials are entirely gone now, replaced by a standard 8" inch digital driver display, alongside a floating infotainment touchscreen that supports wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto.
Models: The Taos is sold in 4 distinct trim levels, starting with the S model, to the mid level SE and the SE Black trim, and then up to the top tier SEL edition, with prices starting around $26,500.
To promote this subcompact crossover model this week Volkswagen sent me a 2026 Taos to test drive and review. The base price for this SEL AWD edition is $35,900. The options on the SUV are the special paint for $455 and the gloss black painted 19" alloy wheels with all season tires for $395. The manufacturer's suggested retail price, MSRP, including the $1,475 delivery charge is: $38,225.
After adding in the state and local sales tax, plus the DMV and dealer fees, the out the door and in your garage total purchase price came to only $43,003. At just 3 bucks over $43 Grand you get VW's newest and up to date 5 passenger subcompact SUV that gets 25 MPG in city driving, 33 MPG on the highway, and 28 MPG in combined driving, making the VW Taos SEL a perfect sized and optioned small crossover SUV for your everyday commute to work, play, or school.
OK, then why buy one? The 2026 Volkswagen Taos is a subcompact SUV that combines an easy to park footprint with surprising interior room, plus solid German inspired handling and high fuel economy.
Performance: Powered by a 1.5L liter turbocharged 4 cylinder engine that produces 174 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, paired with a smooth 8 speed automatic transmission.
Fuel economy: Gets up to an EPA estimated 36 MPG on the highway and 31 MPG combined for front wheel drive FWD models, or up to 33 MPG highway with the optional 4MOTION all wheel drive AWD system
Interior Space: Offers generous rear legroom for adults and up to 65.9 cubic feet of total cargo capacity with the rear seats folded down, rivaling some larger compact SUVs.
Handling: Its compact exterior size makes it very easy to squeeze into tight city parking spaces, while still delivering a stable and composed ride on the highway.
Tech & Safety: Comes standard with an 8" inch touchscreen display, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, a wireless charging pad, and the IQ.DRIVE safety suite that includes adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assistance.
Pricing: Starts at an accessible base price of around $26,500 to $35,900, depending on the S, SE, SE Black, or SEL trim level, and in front wheel drive, or all wheel drive.
Buying the top of the line 2026 Volkswagen Taos SEL AWD SUV offers a nicely appointed and spacious subcompact SUV experience, one that has a Panoramic moonroof, heated and ventilated front seats, leather upholstery, a larger multimedia display, built-in navigation, a digital cockpit, with standard IQ.Drive safety tech, and you can get all of this for just $43,000.
When your ready to buy a great subcompact SUV then call, click or visit your local Volkswagen dealer for a test drive, and a bottom line price review, on the new 2026 Volkswagen Taos SEL AWD SUV. And remember that the base price for a new Taos starts at only $26,500. Volkswagen - Drivers Wanted.
The key to life is to learn something new every day, and by reading my Bottom Line review, I hope you did just that, learned about something new and exciting. So, be smart, stay safe, and just breathe. Remember, You Are What You Drive, and maybe, just for those reasons alone, you should Drive one, Buy one, Today. Drive safely, have a great day, and enjoy the ride, as the future looks nice and bright - Tony the Car Guy.
This Bottom Line new vehicle review is a Nut & Bolt and Dollars & Sense editorial provided by Tony Leopardo. Tony the Car Guy is an automotive writer, editor and publisher in the San Francisco Bay Area. If you have a question, or comment send it to and visit AutoWire.Net at www.autowire.net
Name: The 2026 Volkswagen Taos SEL AWD SUV
Topic: The 2026 Volkswagen Taos SEL AWD SUV
Word Count: 948
Pic Cap: The 2026 Volkswagen Taos SEL AWD SUV
Photo Credits: Volkswagen Internet Media
Series number: 2026 - 37
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