2026 Volkswagen Taos S

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 S is the base Taos, so you skip the SE's larger touchscreen and dual-zone climate control but save several thousand dollars. Its 1.5L I4 makes 174 horsepower and pairs with an eight-speed automatic and front-wheel drive, good for 31 mpg combined.