While the Volkswagen Taos doesn’t have the fanfare of other subcompact crossover SUVs, such as the Kia Seltos and Honda HR-V, it’s a practical alternative. Slotted below the Tiguan in the Volkswagen SUV lineup, the Taos has good fuel economy, a comfortable ride, and a spacious cargo area for the segment. Find out what we know so far about the 2023 VW Taos.

What’s new for the 2023 Volkswagen Taos?

The 2023 VW Taos is a carryover model with no major changes for the new model year, and the official release date is still unknown. However, Volkswagen announced upgrades across the Taos lineup. This includes some standard driving assistance features for all Taos trims: blind-spot monitor, rear traffic alert, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian monitoring, and forward collision warning. 

Also, the SEL trim adds a standard panoramic sunroof, while the SE trim has newly standard IQ.DRIVE driving assistance technology. Additionally, the S trim equipped with the AWD system upgrades from 17-inch to 18-inch wheels. 

The VW Taos is built at the Volkswagen plant in General Pacheco, Argentina. Trims offered for the Taos include S, SE, and SEL.

How much does the 2023 VW Taos cost? 

The starting price of the 2023 Volkswagen Taos crossover SUV is $24,155 MSRP, which is for the S trim. For the other trims, the starting cost is $28,925 MSRP for the SE and $34,535 MSRP for the SEL.

Also, the 2023 Taos costs slightly more than the 2022 Taos, which starts at $23,495 MSRP.

2023 Taos: Engine output and gas mileage

All 2023 Volkswagen Taos models have a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, which generates 158 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. Transmissions offered for the crossover SUV include an eight-speed automatic and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. Also, the Taos can be equipped with either a front-wheel drive or an all-wheel drive system.

For efficiency, the Taos gets an estimated gas mileage of up to 28 city/36 highway mpg. If you have serious towing needs, you may want to look elsewhere as the Taos is not rated for towing. 

2023 Taos: Seating capacity, passenger space, and cargo capacity

The new 2023 VW Taos is very spacious compared to most of its subcompact crossover SUV rivals, especially for the cargo area. It can seat up to five passengers, with a total passenger volume of 99.5 cu-ft. For storage, it has a rear cargo capacity of up to 27.9 cu-ft and a maximum cargo capacity of 65.9 cu-ft.

What are the subcompact crossover SUV competitors of the Volkswagen Taos?

The subcompact crossover SUV competitors of the Volkswagen Taos include the Toyota Corolla Cross, Honda HR-V, Kia Seltos, Mazda CX-30, Hyundai Kona, Hyundai Venue, Chevy Trailblazer, Subaru Crosstrek, and Nissan Kicks. 

Also, for warranty coverage, the 2023 Taos has a 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty and a 4-year/50,000-mile powertrain warranty. Additionally, it offers a free maintenance plan, with two years or 20,000 miles of coverage.

This article was updated on 5/1/2023 with the most recent price information.