2025 VW Taos: A Small SUV with Big Surprises? Full Review

Exterior Updates for 2025

• 🎨 The 2025 VW Taos receives a refresh with a new grille, front fascia, and updated headlight design featuring projector beam LED headlights and LED daytime running lamps.
• 🔵 The "Cornflour Blue" color is highlighted, alongside mentions of other new color options like "Electrified Green."
• 💨 Functional corner air curtains are noted, with a mix of body color, gloss black, and metallic flat gray finishes.
• 💡 New 17-inch to 19-inch wheel designs are introduced, with the SE trim featuring gloss black 19-inch wheels.
• 🚫 A minor critique is the presence of flat black trim on the lower body, deemed unnecessary for a vehicle not intended for off-roading.
• 🚀 The rear features updated LED taillights with a light bar and an illuminated Volkswagen badge, though the fake exhaust outlets are noted as a "zon."

Powertrain and Performance Enhancements

• 🐎 The 1.5L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine gets a boost to 174 horsepower (16 more than previous models) and 184 lb-ft of torque.
• ⚙️ A significant change for all-wheel-drive (4Motion) models is the replacement of the dual-clutch transmission with a conventional 8-speed automatic, improving acceleration and smoothness.
• 📈 0-60 mph is achieved in approximately 7.3 seconds, with a top speed of 125 mph and estimated MPG of 25 city/33 highway.
• 🛠️ Performance upgrades include a larger intercooler, upgraded piston rings, and new turbo housing.
• 🛣️ Front-wheel-drive models use a torsion beam rear suspension, while 4Motion models benefit from a more comfortable multi-link independent rear suspension.

Interior Design and Technology

• ✨ The interior boasts new materials, including an "all-new blue leather interior" with white contrast stitching on the SE trim.
• 📱 An 8-inch infotainment system is present, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and an "off-road information" screen that displays auxiliary gauges.
• 📊 The digital cockpit is a 10.25-inch display that can be customized with various views and changes color based on drive modes.
• ❄️ Climate controls are separate from the infotainment, offering three stages of heated and ventilated seats, and dual-zone climate control.
• 🔌 Connectivity includes two USB-C ports, a 12V outlet, and wireless charging.
• 💺 The seats are actual leather, described as comfy with nice bolstering, though manual controls for the passenger seat are noted.

Space and Practicality

• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 The Taos offers surprisingly ample passenger space for its subcompact class, with good legroom in the rear seats.
• 🎒 Cargo space is rated at 29 cubic feet with the seats up, expandable to 60 cubic feet with the seats folded down, offering a low cargo floor for taller items.
• 🛠️ A spare tire is included underneath the cargo floor, a feature becoming less common.
• 🚫 The tailgate lacks electric assist on the top SE trim, which is considered a minor drawback.

Driving Experience and Comparisons

• 🚗 The 8-speed automatic transmission provides a smoother and more responsive driving experience compared to the previous dual-clutch.
• 💨 The updated powertrain offers better acceleration and a more composed ride, with less body roll due to suspension tuning.
• 🎵 Drive modes (Eco, Normal, Snow, Off-road) adjust throttle and steering sensitivity, with unique visual themes for the digital cockpit.
• 🔇 Minor wind noise is detected, possibly from the roof rails, but overall ride comfort on 19-inch wheels is good.
• 🚦 The auto start-stop feature can be manually disabled.
• 🔑 A point of contention is the reversed manual shift pattern on the gear selector (push forward for downshifts, pull back for upshifts).
• 🆚 The Taos is compared to the Nissan Kicks, with the Taos offering more power and a better transmission, while the Kicks is noted for its more modern look and larger screens.
• ✅ The 2025 Taos is presented as a strong contender in the subcompact SUV segment, with significant improvements in its powertrain and interior appointments.