2026 Volkswagen Taos Review: Entry Level Done Right
The CUV market has been oversaturated with some brands offering multiple offering. The 2026 Volkswagen Taos surprised me and cut through the crowd of those CUVs. To start on the outside, the Monument Gray color added a nice blue hue to your typical gray option. The 18” wheels had a machined spoke look that resembled the look of O.Z Superturismo wheels made famous by many race cars. Volkswagen’s use of lighting design as their signature is also present with headlights having a nice H design in them, and the rear have a full light bar and illuminated rear badge. This was the lower SE trim but on the higher trims, you’ll be able to have the front light bar option as well.
Getting in, the design, color, and feel to the CloudTex of the seat, has been one of my favorite materials. It felt like a combination of a neoprene and microsuede finish and appears to have easy cleanup properties should you load up the Taos with kids or pets. Although the infotainment screen isn’t the biggest, everything was very easy to see with a sharp resolution to it. The standard sound system was also really impressive with its punchy bass and crisp highs. Be aware that you’ll need to put the speakers to work because the cabin noise can be a little high on this entry level CUV.
Under the hood, the 1.5L turbocharged 4-cylinder, was delivering 174 horsepower and 184 lb.-ft. of torque. That is going to the 8-speed and then to the front wheels. There is an 8-speed DSG offering which is Volkswagen’s more performance automatic transmission, but will require that you go with the 4MOTION AWD system. If you don’t need AWD where you live, I would recommend not opting for it as the power was feeling a little low on just the FWD version. Despite that, I did see myself having fun on twisty roads as more of a momentum vehicle. Just think early GTi where power wasn’t much, but the lower weight and good chassis, would get you around a corner with quickly.
Overall, I was impressed with what the 2026 Volkswagen Taos Se had to offer. Even though it wasn’t the highest trim, it was offered so much and at a decent price point. Seeing these auto brands having to compete heavily in this segment, has definitely helped the consumer get more for their money.
