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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Engine | 1.5L 4-Cylinder |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (S8) |
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Type | Regular |
| City / Hwy MPG | 28 / 36 MPG |
| Combined MPG | 31 MPG |
| Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $2,200 |
| CO₂ Emissions | 287 g/mi |
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
| Body Style | SUV |
| Base Price | $25,636–$32,297 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2026 Volkswagen Taos is a suv that earns a Carivo score of 7.7/10 — rated Recommended. Its strongest dimension is Value at 8.7/10, while Performance at 6.7/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a solid all-rounder that delivers across most dimensions without obvious deal-breakers.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. The reliability picture is solid rather than spectacular: 7.5/10, which puts it comfortably above the class median. Safety lands at 8.4/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Performance at 6.7/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. At 7.4/10 for technology, the infotainment and driver-assist package does its job without setting benchmarks — check which features cost extra on lower trims.
Priced from $25,636–$32,297, 31 MPG, seating 5, the Volkswagen Taos sits in the mid-market bracket of the suv segment. Its value score of 8.7/10 confirms that the price reflects the quality — you're getting a lot for your money here. As the current model year, it benefits from the latest updates and full manufacturer warranty coverage.
Verdict: Nothing about the 2026 Volkswagen Taos will scare a sensible buyer off. Keep an eye on performance if those matter to you; otherwise it does what a good suv should — quietly and competently.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2026 Volkswagen Taos ranks #564 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 77% of the segment. Its 7.7/10 overall score is 0.3 points above the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $25,636 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $36,079 by about 29%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking →
Across the Taos model years we've scored, the 2026 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 (this review) | 7.7/10 | $25,636 | |
| 2025 | 7.7/10 | $25,636 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.7/10 | $24,890 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.5/10 | $24,143 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.5/10 | $23,396 | Read review → |
The following recall campaign has been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Fuel system, gasoline / Delivery / Pressure sensor 22/04/2026 · 26V258000 | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Taos vehicles. In the event of a rear-end crash, the fuel pressure sensor may dislodge or separate from the fuel tank. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the… |
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Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
Explore the full lineup of Volkswagen models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.