2026 Volkswagen Taos SE

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 is the trim most shoppers pick, adding heated seats and a digital cluster over the S without jumping to the SEL's premium price. Its 1.5L I4 makes 174 horsepower and pairs with the eight-speed automatic and all-wheel drive, delivering 28 mpg combined in real-world driving. The SE's available 4MOTION all-wheel drive swaps the torsion-beam rear axle for a multi-link setup, improving both traction and ride composure.