Flash Drive: 2025 Volkswagen Taos

VW’s Revamped, Upgraded and Redesigned Entry-Stage Compact Crossover

The Taos has solely been within the Volkswagen lineup for 3 years, however that was lengthy sufficient for it to be freshened to stay a participant within the hyper-competitive compact SUV phase. Which is strictly what Volkswagen did with the 2025 Taos to proceed its enchantment to households with babies, or {couples} that can drop the rear seat and head out on street journeys. Taos is the No. 1 promoting Volkswagen SUV in Canada and Mexico, and the fourth best-selling mannequin in its US line-up behind Tiguan, Atlas and Jetta.

Volkswagen introduced members of the automotive media to San Antonio, Texas, to drive the 2025 Taos as a part of the celebration of the corporate’s seventy fifth yr in America. We solely received a pair hours behind the wheel for a fast style, so this Flash Drive will hit the excessive factors. Clear Fleet Report will write a extra in-depth evaluation once we get within the Taos for every week or extra.

Getting There

The 2025 Volkswagen Taos is available in 4 trim ranges, S, SE, SE Black and SEL, which all are available both entrance wheel drive (FWD) or 4Motion, as Volkswagen calls their all-wheel drive. All have a 1.5 liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine producing 174 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, a slight hp enhance from final yr. The 7-speed dual-clutch transmission from the outgoing Taos has been changed with an 8-speed computerized for each all fashions. Volkswagen said the gas economic system is rated at 28 mpg metropolis/36 freeway/31 mixed for the FWD Taos, with the 4Motion rated at 25/33/28.

When Clear Fleet Report has the 2025 Taos for every week or extra we’ll report on actual world gas economic system and extra element on the powertrain’s on-road efficiency.

Driving Expertise: On the Street

Clear Fleet Report drove each the FWD and 4Motion 2025 Taos. In comparison with our final time within the Taos in 2022, the acceleration has been smoothed-out, which might be the results of going to the 8-speed computerized with the small hp enhance. The 0-60 instances within the mid-8-seconds are completely wonderful for driving wants that embrace freeway merging and heading off to the mountains.

The Taos 4Motion has three driver-selectable drive modes—Eco, Sport and Particular person. When in Energetic Management, there are settings for On Street, Snow, Off Street and Off Street Customized. There are much more choices when within the On Street mode–decisions of Regular, Sport, Consolation and Particular person—that permit for wonderful tuning of the driving expertise. Our time behind the wheel was on a shiny, dry, sunny day, so we didn’t play a lot of this big selection of drive mode choices.

The SUV’s stability is positioned so physique roll or side-to-side pitch throughout aggressive turns is manageable. Regardless that the steering is exact, don’t anticipate to be attacking twisties as neither the Taos FWD or 4Motion are designed or marketed as a sport SUV.

Stopping comes from entrance vented and rear stable disc four-wheel anti-lock brakes, with digital brake stress distribution and hydraulic brake help that produced straight stops with out brake fade.

The IQ.Drive system is customary on all trims, that includes superior driver help know-how that options hands-on semi-automated functionality.

Exterior Design Facelift

The 2025 Taos has gone by way of a facelift that retains a clear, basic look that instantly units it out as a Volkswagen. Very European. The entrance finish has rounded edges with new LED projector headlights on all trim ranges. The SE Plus will get an LED Mild bar on the entrance grille, much like the design on the ID.4 and ID.Buzz EVs. The flat roof with a twin pane energy sunroof (customary on SEL and a $1,200 choice on SE) and black roof rack rails results in a small built-in spoiler and LED tail lights.

Large props to Volkswagen for not slapping excessively massive black brush guards on the fender arches. The shortage of useless chrome and cladding is what makes the Taos design a winner. The dual fake exhaust ports on the decrease rear fascia truly don’t look too dangerous, and the star patterned 17-inch, 18-inch and 19-inch machined aluminum-alloy wheels look nice.

Exterior paint choices are Deep Black Pearl, Platinum Grey Metallic, Pyrite Silver Metallic, Monument Grey, Pure White, Monterey Blue Pearl, Cornflower Blue and Brilliant Moss Inexperienced Metallic.

Inside Design

Inside it’s neat and tidy, clear and uncluttered, persevering with the basic German simplicity theme. Fabric seats are customary on the S trim, an artificial CloudTex on the S Plus and SE Black, and leather-based on the SEL. The motive force seat within the S trim is guide, whereas S Plus and SE Black get heated seats with 8-way energy changes, together with lumbar, and lastly on SEL the entrance seats add air flow. The entrance passenger will get guide changes, as do the outbound rear seats, which  recline.

Separating the entrance seats is a middle console with cup holders and a storage space. The flat backside, heated, leatherette-wrapped steering wheel has white prime stitching and brushed chrome accents.

There’s a combine of soppy and laborious plastics, with the latter extra distinguished (as is the case on many entry degree SUVs), however Volkswagen did it nicely.

The flat roof and huge opening doorways makes for straightforward entry to the rear seat, the place there may be virtually the identical house because the bigger Tiguan. The rear head and leg room simply and comfortably accommodate a 6-foot-plus particular person, and may deal with three baby seats. Rear seat passengers get console-mounted air vents, a USB-C cost port and a fold-down arm relaxation with cup holders.

The 60:40 rear seat within the Taos FWD folds near-flat for 65.9 cubic-feet of cargo house, or 27.9 cubic-feet when upright. When you go for the 4Motion Taos, these dimensions drop a bit to 60.2 and 24.9 respectively.

The configurable 8-inch digital cockpit info display has two massive gauges set towards a black background. The infotainment system comes with both a 4-speaker, 8.0-inch (S, SE and SE Black) coloration touchscreen, or a 6-speaker, 10.25-inch within the SEL for AM/FM/HD radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MP3 playback.

Conveniences, customary or non-compulsory, embrace Bluetooth for phone and streaming music, two 45-watt USB-C cost ports, one for information, wi-fi cellphone charging, rain sensing windshield wipers, energy home windows, distant engine begin with keyless entry by way of the app, heated multi-function steering wheel with audio and phone controls, energy adjustable and guide folding heated exterior mirrors, entrance and rear studying lights and 10-color ambient lighting within the SEL trim.

Security and Comfort

The 2025 Taos comes customary with these security techniques.

• Clever Crash Response System shuts off the gas pump, unlocks the doorways and switches on the hazard lights if the automotive is concerned in sure forms of collisions.
• Automated Submit-Collision Braking System, in sure crash eventualities, applies the brakes when a major collision is detected by the airbag sensors, doubtlessly decreasing the possibility of further injury from operating into one other car or construction.

It additionally comes with six airbags, a tire stress monitoring system, a rear view digital camera, rear parking distance management, hill descent management, a blind spot monitor, lane departure warning, rear visitors alert, ahead collision warning and computerized emergency braking.

Pricing and Warranties

These 2025 Taos base costs embrace the $1,495 vacation spot payment. Anticipate the Taos to be in sellers within the first quarter of 2025.

S

SE

SE Black

SEL

The 2025 Taos comes with these warranties:

• New Car – 4 years/50,000 miles
• 24 Hour Roadside Help – Three years/36,000 miles
• Scheduled Upkeep – Two years/20,000 miles         

 Observations: 2025 Volkswagen Taos

Volkswagen launched its compact Taos SUV in 2022, when it turned the entry to the SUV line-up of Tiguan, Atlas, and Atlas Cross Sport. Since then, they’ve added the all-electric ID.4 compact SUV.

The 2025 Taos continues as a roomy five-passenger SUV with mid-thirties gas economic system, a quiet experience, good energy—and is properly appointed with security and comfort options. The basic European design will age gracefully. The inviting entry worth round $26,000 (S mannequin with front-wheel drive) makes the Taos interesting.

Petar Danilovic, SVP, product advertising and marketing & technique for Volkswagen of America, informed us the significance of the Taos is “There was a spot for an entry degree SUV (under the Tiguan) and, since 2022 (when the Taos was launched), now we have bought greater than 209,000 vehicles, so we will say now we have been very profitable.”

Clear Fleet Report didn’t have the chance to take the Taos off-road to check the 4Motion all-wheel drive system. We now have skilled 4Motion on different Volkswagen fashions, and it’s a welcome characteristic. In case your driving consists of muddy or snowy roads, you received’t must go off-roading to get the benefit of the sure-footed dealing with of the AWD Taos.

The Taos 4Motion is lower than $2,500 extra the Taos FWD, so possibly it’s a sensible choice for the additional traction on sloppy roads or the occasional journey to the cabin.

Some rivals within the subcompact SUV phase (with hyperlinks to our opinions) embrace the Buick Encore GX, Buick Envista, Chevrolet Trailblazer, Honda HR-V, Hyundai Kona, Hyundai Venue, Kia Soul, Kia Seltos, Mazda CX-30, Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, Nissan Kicks, Subaru Crosstrek and Toyota Corolla Cross.

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Story and pictures by John Faulkner.

[See image gallery at cleanfleetreport.com]

Disclosure

Clear Fleet Report is loaned free check autos from automakers to judge, sometimes for every week at a time. Our street checks are primarily based on this one-week drive of a brand new  car. Due to this we don’t deal with points resembling long-term reliability or whole price of possession. As well as, we are sometimes invited to producer occasions highlighting new autos or know-how. As a part of these occasions we could also be supplied free transportation, lodging or meals. We do our greatest to current our unvarnished evaluations of  autos and information irrespective of those inducements.

Our focus is on autos that provide the very best gas economic system of their class, which leads us to emphasise electrical vehicles, plug-in hybrids, hybrids and different environment friendly powertrains. We additionally characteristic these environment friendly gas-powered autos which are among the many prime mpg autos of their class. As well as, we intention to supply opinions and information on superior know-how and the choice gas car market. We welcome any suggestions from car homeowners and are devoted to offering a discussion board for different viewpoints. Please tell us your views at [email protected].

The submit Flash Drive: 2025 Volkswagen Taos first appeared on Clear Fleet Report.