2026 Volkswagen Taos

The Volkswagen Taos is a nicely executed subcompact SUV that offers enough space and features that spending thousands more to step up to VW’s Tiguan compact SUV might not be necessary.

All 10 of the models in our cheap SUV list are subcompacts, and they’re ordered by base price, from least to most expensive.

We put together lists of the SUVs with the best mpg by fuel type, including conventional gasoline-powered models, hybrids and plug-in hybrids.

Volkswagen is recalling more than 38,700 examples of its Taos SUV over an issue with the fuel tank that increases the risk of a fire.

Reviving a whiplash protection test with modified criteria and methods, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has rated 18 small SUVs.

Volkswagen treated the Taos to a refresh for the 2025 model year, updating its grille, headlights and interior and upping engine output, but for 2026, little changes for the small SUV.