2026 Volkswagen Taos SE Black

The Taos is Volkswagen's compact crossover, slotting below the Tiguan and aimed at buyers who want a small SUV with a European feel. It competes with the Honda HR-V, Mazda CX-30, and Subaru Crosstrek, offering a bit more polish than most in this class. The Taos handles crisply and steers with a directness that makes it genuinely enjoyable on back roads. The ride is firm but controlled, a trade-off that keeps body roll in check without punishing passengers on rough pavement. Its boxy shape gives the Taos a roomy cargo area and rear seat for its size, making it a practical daily driver. The SE Black sits above the SE and below the SEL, adding blacked-out exterior trim and a panoramic sunroof as standard. It uses the 1.5L I4 making 174 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, routed through an eight-speed automatic to all-wheel drive for a composed, planted feel on any surface. The 19-inch black alloy wheels and black roof rails give this trim a distinctly sporty look that the SE doesn't offer.