Body Styles

The Volkswagen Taos is a five-door compact crossover SUV with classic proportions and a squared-off stance that emphasizes interior practicality within a city-friendly footprint. It features short overhangs, clean shoulder lines, and a horizontal grille that connects seamlessly with the LED lighting elements. The roofline stays high throughout the cabin, maximizing headroom for passengers and cargo alike, and the squared rear end contributes to a large and usable cargo area. Measuring approximately 4.47 meters in length, the Taos slots just below the Tiguan in the lineup, but its longer wheelbase compared to some rivals gives it near-midsize spaciousness in a tidy form. Black plastic cladding around the wheel arches and lower fascia adds a hint of ruggedness, while higher trims feature chrome or gloss black exterior accents for a more upscale presence.

Model Name Meaning (Manufacturer)

The name “Taos” is taken from the town of Taos, New Mexico—a place known for its artistic community and scenic mountain surroundings. Volkswagen chose the name to evoke a sense of adventure, individuality, and Americana-inspired lifestyle appeal, aligning with the vehicle’s target audience of youthful, outdoor-minded urban drivers.

Model Name Meaning (Languages)

“Taos” is short, easy to pronounce in most languages, and carries an organic, earthy tone that subtly implies openness, travel, and freedom. While not derived from Latin or Greek, its real-world geographic reference gives it authenticity and cultural texture—qualities that match VW’s strategy of humanizing its SUV lineup with globally resonant names.

Body & Interior Colors and Rims

The Taos comes in a cheerful and varied color palette designed to reflect its youthful image. Shades like Cornflower Blue, Pure Gray, and Kings Red Metallic add boldness, while classics like Deep Black Pearl, Platinum Gray Metallic, and Pure White give it broader appeal. Rising Blue Metallic and Dusk Blue offer stylish mid-tones, while Silver and Gray finishes provide understated sophistication. Roof rails and mirror caps are often accented in silver or gloss black depending on the trim, reinforcing either a utilitarian or sportier design cue.

Inside, the Taos offers two-tone cabin themes in Gray/Black or French Roast/Brown combinations, with stitched contrast piping and soft-touch panels across the dash and doors. Seats are trimmed in cloth, leatherette, or leather depending on the trim, with available heated and ventilated front seats, as well as a configurable digital cockpit. Upper trims include ambient lighting, gloss piano black trim pieces, and customizable digital gauge clusters that elevate the user experience. VW’s MIB3 infotainment system integrates seamlessly into the center stack, with intuitive controls and natural layout.

Wheel designs range from basic 17-inch silver alloys to 18- and 19-inch multi-spoke machined-face wheels with dark pockets or gloss black finishes. Higher trims introduce angular and turbine-style wheels with diamond-cut surfaces that complement the vehicle’s bold wheel arches and upright silhouette. All wheels are engineered to maintain efficiency while enhancing road presence—especially in 4Motion variants, where added ride height and stance accentuate the SUV profile.

Top Expensive Options

• IQ.DRIVE Driver Assist Suite (ACC, Lane Keep, Travel Assist): $1,500
• Digital Cockpit Pro with 10.25-inch Display: $900
• Panoramic Power Sunroof: $1,200
• Beats Premium Audio System (8 speakers): $800
• Heated and Ventilated Leather Seats: $1,400
• 19-inch Machined Alloy Wheels with Black Accents: $1,000
• LED Adaptive Headlights with Auto High Beam: $700
• Remote Start and Keyless Entry with Proximity Unlock: $650
• Multi-Color Ambient Interior Lighting: $400
• Power Tailgate with Foot Sensor: $600

vs Competitors

The Volkswagen Taos competes in one of the most crowded automotive segments, facing rivals like the Honda HR-V, Toyota Corolla Cross, Subaru Crosstrek, and Mazda CX-30. Where most competitors focus solely on practicality or style, the Taos blends strong interior space, Euro-style driving dynamics, and above-average tech features. It boasts more rear legroom and cargo space than many of its peers and offers a more composed, sophisticated ride. Compared to the CX-30, it sacrifices some cabin richness but gains in usability and space. Against the HR-V and Corolla Cross, it offers sharper handling, better acceleration, and more premium features in upper trims. For buyers seeking a compact SUV that drives more like a European hatchback but hauls like a mini-Tiguan, the Taos stands as one of the most balanced entries in its class.

Fun Fact

The Taos is the first North American Volkswagen to debut the new-generation 1.5L EA211 Evo4 engine—a successor to the long-used 1.4T. Featuring a high compression ratio, variable turbo geometry, and Miller cycle operation, this small engine punches above its weight while returning outstanding fuel economy. It even includes a map-controlled cooling module and plasma-coated cylinder walls—features typically reserved for far more expensive cars.