Volkswagen Taos

You don't need to spend a fortune to get a new vehicle with all-wheel drive. These AWD cars, trucks and SUVs all cost less than $35,000.

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.

Well equipped and reasonably priced — with solid driving dynamics, excellent onboard tech and more space than you’d expect inside — the updated 2025 Volkswagen Taos is a winner.

The Hyundai Elantra and Sonata, Kia K4, Nissan Murano, and Toyota bZ4X and Prius all won the IIHS’s highest Top Safety Pick+ award for the 2025 model year.

Volkswagen is making relatively few changes to its lineup for 2026, with the biggest news being the new fifth-generation engine powering the 2026 Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo.