Key Points
- Pricing for the 2026 Volkswagen Taos starts at $27,975 (all prices include $1,475 destination charge).
- No major changes
- Compact SUV returns up to 31 mpg combined
Volkswagen treated the Taos to a refresh for the 2025 model year, updating its grille, headlights and interior and upping engine output. For 2026, little changes for the small SUV. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now standard, and the range-topping SEL trim gets an eight-speaker sound system in place of the outgoing six-speaker system. Despite the minimal upgrades, pricing increases by at least $365 for 2026.
Related: 2025 Volkswagen Taos Review: Good Things in a Not-So-Small Package
Release Date and Pricing
The 2026 Taos will go on sale in early 2026. Full pricing is as follows, with price increases from 2025 listed in parentheses.
- S: $27,975 ($1,055)
- SE: $30,735 ($915)
- SE Black: $32,435 ($365)
- SEL: $37,375 ($755)
Trim Levels and Safety Features
The entry-level Taos S features 17-inch alloy wheels, LED exterior lighting and rain-sensing windshield wipers. Inside you’ll find cloth upholstery, manually adjustable front seats, push-button start, a four-speaker audio system and an 8-inch touchscreen with the newly standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The all-wheel-drive S rides on 18-inch wheels and gets heated windshield-washer nozzles, side mirrors and front seats. Also standard is VW’s IQ.Drive suite of driver-assistance technologies. It includes forward collision warning with pedestrian and bicyclist detection, automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, lane departure steering assist and automatic high beams.
The SE includes everything from the AWD S plus adaptive headlights that turn with the steering wheel, keyless entry and start, remote start, and front and rear parking sensors. Its cabin is upgraded with synthetic leather upholstery, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, dual-zone automatic climate control, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless phone charging and a six-speaker audio system.
A panoramic moonroof is a $1,200 option on other trim levels but standard on the SE Black. That means VW charges $500 — the remainder of the difference between the standard SE and the Black — to make the roof, roof rails, mirror housings and wheels black. The SE Black’s wheels measure 18 inches on FWD vehicles and 19 inches with AWD.
At the top of the Taos hierarchy, the SEL rides on 19-inch wheels. Inside, it features leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, ambient lighting, navigation, eight speakers and road-sign recognition.
Powertrain Specs and MPG
Every 2026 VW Taos is powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine. It generates 174 horsepower and 184 pounds-feet of torque and is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard on every trim level except the SEL; AWD costs $1,700 on the S, $2,250 on the SE and SE Black, and is standard on the SEL.
With FWD, the Taos returns an EPA-rated 28/36/31 mpg city/highway/combined. AWD versions are rated at 25/33/28 mpg.
Read More Volkswagen Taos News on Cars.com:
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- 2025 Volkswagen Taos Up Close: Atlas Shrunked
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- Research the Volkswagen Taos
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