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2025 Volkswagen Taos Review: A Casual Compact SUV, With Safety Caveats

The 2025 Taos gains a 174-hp turbo engine and offers 4MOTION AWD, but its IIHS results differ by test. Here are the documented specs, trims and safety qualifications.
Entry657 Date Time4 min MechanicCarCody Team
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The 2025 Volkswagen Taos is an everyday-oriented compact SUV on paper: it gets a more powerful 1.5-liter turbo engine and an eight-speed automatic, with available 4MOTION all-wheel drive. But those specifications do not establish how it feels on the road, and the IIHS results vary by test. This review focuses on what is documented for U.S.-market models rather than inventing a driving impression.

What changed for 2025?

Volkswagen says the Taos’s 1.5-liter turbocharged engine rises from 158 horsepower to 174 horsepower for model year 2025, a 16-hp increase. The engine is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. These are manufacturer specifications, not independent acceleration or fuel-economy measurements. Volkswagen’s 2025 Taos performance page describes the update this way: “A serious horsepower upgrade—158HP to 174HP—sure is fun to have, especially combined with driveabiity, fuel economy, and an 8-speed automatic transmission.”

The page does not provide a quantified 0–60 mph time, an independent fuel-economy result, or observed ride, handling, or cabin-noise findings. Volkswagen’s general mention of fuel economy should not be read as a specific mileage claim. Without documented driving observations, calling the Taos “casual” is an editorial characterization of its everyday-use positioning, not a reported test-drive verdict.

Which 2025 Taos configurations are available in the U.S.?

Volkswagen of America’s order guide, dated December 7, 2024, lists four trims. Front-wheel drive (FWD) and 4MOTION all-wheel drive (AWD) are configuration choices on several trims; AWD is not standard across the lineup. The guide warns that details can change. Its prices below are historical listed retail prices, not current offers or transaction prices.

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Trim Drivetrain listed Historical listed starting retail price
S FWD or 4MOTION $24,995 FWD; $26,695 4MOTION
SE FWD or 4MOTION $27,895 FWD; $29,595 4MOTION
SE Black FWD or 4MOTION $30,145 FWD; $31,845 4MOTION
SEL 4MOTION $34,695

The order guide listed a $1,425 destination charge at that time. Both that charge and the trim prices are dated figures from the December 7, 2024 guide; they should not be treated as current pricing. Volkswagen’s 2025 Taos order guide is the source for these configurations and figures.

Choose among configurations based on whether you want FWD or AWD, which trim equipment you need, and how you plan to use the cargo area. The available facts do not establish a best trim or a winner against competing SUVs. U.S. specifications also should not be assumed to apply elsewhere: the Mexico-market 2025 Taos, for example, has a different engine specification.

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What do the safety ratings say—and what don’t they say?

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reports different outcomes for different evaluations. Each rating below belongs to its named test and stated applicability; none alone is a blanket judgment that the Taos is safe or unsafe.

IIHS evaluation Reported result Vehicle and applicability
Updated moderate-overlap front Marginal overall Tested 2025 Taos S 4-door 4WD; rating applies to 2025–26 vehicles built after January 2025
Updated side Acceptable overall Tested 2025 Taos SE 4-door 4WD; rating applies to 2025–26 models
Updated vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention Poor overall for the standard system Applies to 2023–26 models
Pedestrian front crash prevention Marginal overall for standard Front Assist Applies to 2024–26 models
Headlights Acceptable overall SE and SEL LED projector setup shown in the rating data

For the updated moderate-overlap front test, IIHS says Volkswagen added rear-seat seat-belt pretensioners and load limiters beginning with 2025 models built after January 2025. That production-date qualification matters when evaluating a particular vehicle; a model-year label alone may not identify whether it has the change. Check the vehicle’s certification label or build date. A used-car buyer should also check VIN-specific recall status through authoritative vehicle records, since recall status for a specific VIN is not established here.

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Crash-prevention ratings describe performance in the specified IIHS evaluations. They do not predict whether the system will prevent a collision in a particular real-world situation. See the IIHS 2025 Volkswagen Taos ratings for the test details and applicability.

What cargo accessories does Volkswagen list?

Volkswagen’s U.S. order guide lists accessories aimed at carrying or protecting everyday cargo: roof rack base carrier bars (a set of two), wheel splash guards, carpeted MojoMats, rubber Monster Mats, a heavy-duty trunk liner with CarGo Blocks, and a cargo privacy cover. The guide establishes that these items were listed for the model, but does not establish current availability or price.

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If you are shopping for crossbars, Volkswagen calls its item “Roof Rack Base Carrier Bars (set of 2).” Confirm fitment for the specific 2025 Taos and its roof or trim, including mounting hardware; do not assume every vehicle has factory rails or that a third-party product will fit. Mats, a trunk liner, a privacy cover, and splash guards are other listed options to consider according to how you use the vehicle. Verify current compatibility and pricing with Volkswagen or a dealer. The order guide also lists roadside and first-aid kits.

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Where to find operating and maintenance details

Volkswagen’s 2025 Taos owner-resources page links to the quick-start guide, online owner’s manual, maintenance schedule, warranty information, tutorials, help resources, and accessories. Use the model-year manual and maintenance schedule for operating and service instructions rather than inferring them from general specifications.

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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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