VOLKSWAGEN Volkswagen Taos

Five years after the model’s introduction in the U.S. market, Volkswagen refreshed the Taos lineup for the 2025 model year, adding significant exterior and interior updates and improving drivetrains.

Based on the same MQB A1 platform as the European crossovers Skoda Karok and Seat Ateca, the Taos appeared in 2018 on the Chinese market. However, the German automaker decided to assemble it in Mexico for the North American customers as well. As a result, in 2020, it launched it as a 2022 model year and targeted customers who wished for an upgrade from their ever-lasting VW Golf, which was on its last stint anyway. Five years later, the car manufacturer facelifted the model and improved everything it could after it listened to customers’ complaints so that the 2025 Volkswagen Taos could meet their demands.

The German car manufacturer tried to create a new design language across its entire crossover lineup. As a result, the 2025 Volkswagen Taos had a new front fascia that featured an LED light stripe extended from side to side at the lower edge of the hood. The light signature element was continued with the daytime running lights integrated into the headlights and featuring standard LED projector headlamps. On the lower side of the bumper, the automaker installed a broad, hexagonal-shaped grille surrounded by a silver trim and sporting a black mesh with a hexagonal pattern. Furthermore, a set of side scoops flanked it, creating the air curtains that lowered the vehicle’s aerodynamic drag.

From its profile, the smaller sibling of the Tiguan boasted black molding around the wheel arches, trying to impress its customers with an off-road appearance look. In addition, Volkswagen added standard 17-inch alloy wheels for the lowest trim level, with options for 18- and 19-inch sets. There were choices of three grades, the S, the SE, and the SEL, so customers could choose the right one. Along with the refreshed version, Volkswagen added three new colors to the palette: Bright Moss Green, Monterey Blue Pearl, and Monument Gray. At the back, the redesigned rear fascia showed a distinct red light stripe from end to end that visually connected the redesigned LED taillights. As an option, the VW badge on the tailgate could be illuminated. At the lower side of the rear bumper, the Volkswagen design team couldn’t help it and installed a pair of rectangular-shaped face exhausts while the real pipe was behind the apron.

Volkswagen dramatically changed the Taos interior for the 2025 model year. The dashboard was no longer an ocean of gray and featured a colored section extended on the doors. Furthermore, it replaced the integrated touchscreen infotainment unit with an 8-inch floating-type one. The SE grade featured physical buttons for the HVAC control panel below it, while the SE and SEL boasted touch-sensitive ones. Between the front bucket seats, the automaker installed a center console that housed the lever for the automatic transmission, the drive mode selector, and a few buttons for other functions of the car. In the back, the split-folding bench seat could accommodate up to three passengers and expand the trunk space as well.

Under the hood, customers found the same 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine. The inline-four unit gained 16 more ponies than its predecessor, reaching 174 hp (176 PS). It sent its power to the front wheels or in all corners via an eight-speed automatic transmission. Previously, only front-wheel drive versions could be equipped with this gearbox, while the all-wheel drive version was married with a seven-speed automatic (dual-clutch) box. However, the automaker ditched that for the vehicles fitted with the 4Motion systems after customers complained about the dual-clutch version of the 2025 Volkswagen Taos.