Used 2023 Volkswagen Taos for Sale nearDurham, NC

How much does the 2023 Volkswagen Taos cost?

Prices have softened 4.61% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 4,011 listings available, which suggests you have a healthy amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2023 Volkswagen Taos a good car?

Yes — the 2023 Volkswagen Taos earns a 5/5 user rating and a 6.3/10 expert rating. The model scores 9/10 across Look and feel and Form and function.

The Taos fits you well if you want a small SUV with a higher driving position, roomy seating for four, and everyday utility in a compact footprint. Its stylish design helps it feel more distinctive than many entry-level crossovers, and the cabin space and cargo room are clear strengths.

The trade-offs are just as clear: the drivetrain is irritating and underpowered, and the infotainment system’s user experience is a drawback. Even so, the Taos still makes sense if you value space, utility, and a more upscale feel than the price might suggest.

Deal availability: 38.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.

Is the 2023 Volkswagen Taos reliable?

Owners rate it 5/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The Taos is presented as a practical, value-oriented small SUV with added standard safety features for 2023, and that helps support confidence in everyday use. Volkswagen also includes complimentary scheduled maintenance for two years or 20,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Its powertrain remains the main long-term concern for used buyers because the engine and transmission behavior are described as inconsistent and underpowered. If you shop carefully and prioritize a well-maintained example, you can reduce the risk of living with those quirks.

What should I look for when buying a used 2023 Volkswagen Taos?

Accident-free inventory is solid at 89.1% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still run a vehicle history report on any Taos you’re considering, even if the listing looks clean. A pre-purchase inspection is especially important here because the drivetrain and infotainment system are the biggest weak points. Focus on overall condition, service records, and whether the vehicle’s equipment matches the trim level you expect.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The S, SE, and SEL trims differ meaningfully in appearance and equipment, and the base S leaves out some of the richer cabin and tech features found higher up.
• Powertrain: Every Taos uses a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 158 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, but the drivetrain response can be hard to predict and the dual-clutch setup can feel halting.
• Safety package: The Taos S includes Front Assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert, while SE adds IQ.Drive with Lane Assist, Travel Assist, Emergency Assist, and active blind-spot monitoring. Some features remain trim-dependent.
• Infotainment: The S gets a 6.5-inch touchscreen, while SE and SEL add an 8-inch screen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and wireless smartphone charging. The SEL adds a 10.25-inch digital display and native navigation.
• Fuel efficiency: The test vehicle averaged 26.8 mpg, and the official combined rating is 28 mpg.

Which 2023 Volkswagen Taos trim should I buy?

The 2023 Volkswagen Taos is offered in 3 trim levels: S, SE, and SEL.

Here's the short version:

• S: This is the entry point, and it gives you the Taos basics at the lowest price. It includes the standard safety upgrades for 2023, but it also has the simplest infotainment setup and the fewest comfort and convenience features.
• SE: This is the best-value trim for most shoppers because it adds the stronger safety suite, the larger infotainment screen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and wireless charging. If you want the most balanced mix of equipment and price, this is the one to target.
• SEL: This is the most upscale version, with the 10.25-inch digital display, native navigation, and premium audio. It suits you best if you want the most features and the most polished cabin presentation.

The SE trim is the sweet spot, while the SEL is the most fully equipped choice. Safety equipment expands as you move up the lineup, with IQ.Drive standard on SE and above.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2023 Volkswagen Taos?

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop with some leverage if you compare listings carefully.

• Deal availability: 38.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 4,011 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 4.61% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 89.1% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $20,314, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2023 Volkswagen Taos's resale value?

The current average of $20,425 sits slightly below last year's $21,411.

That softer pricing suggests the Taos has already moved into a more buyer-friendly part of its value curve. If you buy at the right price and keep the vehicle in good condition, you may be able to limit depreciation pressure better than someone who pays near the top of the range.

The model’s broad appeal comes from its space, utility, and value-oriented positioning, which can help support demand when you eventually sell. Stronger equipment levels may also be easier to move on the used market than a stripped-down example.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 5/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2023 Volkswagen Taos safe?

The 2023 Volkswagen Taos earns decent, but imperfect crash-test results from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

It earns an 8/10 safety score from our experts.

Volkswagen made safety a bigger part of the 2023 Taos story by adding more standard equipment. The Taos S includes Front Assist with forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, and automatic emergency braking, plus blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. SE adds IQ.Drive with Lane Assist, Travel Assist, Emergency Assist, and active blind-spot monitoring, while SEL adds parking sensors with automatic braking and road-sign recognition.

Travel Assist is the standout feature because it handles curves, traffic, and speed changes smoothly and accurately. The main safety caveat is that some of the more advanced driver-assistance features are reserved for higher trims.

Is the 2023 Volkswagen Taos reliable?

Should I buy a 2023 Volkswagen Taos or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2023 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2023 if:

• 38.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 89.1% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 4.61% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2023 model adds more standard safety features and equipment.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $17,933, the 2022 costs less than the current year's $20,425 average.
• It is a practical small crossover with plenty of cargo space and affordable advanced safety features.

The bottom line: Choose the 2023 if you want the newer safety equipment and are comfortable paying more for it. If your priority is lower purchase price, the 2022 is the better value path, especially if you can find a clean example with the right service history.

How does the 2023 Volkswagen Taos compare to the 2023 Honda HR-V?

Expert Pros & Cons (per CarGurus review team)

2023 Volkswagen Taos:

• Pros: Stylish design, Spacious, Plenty of cargo space.
• Cons: Irritating, underpowered drivetrain, Infotainment system user experience, Questionable value for the money.

2023 Honda HR-V:

• Pros: Standard advanced safety features, Fun to drive, Top trim feels more expensive than it is.
• Cons: No hybrid option, Fairly pedestrian performance.

Our experts score the 2023 Volkswagen Taos 6.3/10 and the 2023 Honda HR-V 8.2/10. The Taos gives you more cargo space and a more distinctive design, but it also brings a weaker drivetrain and a less satisfying infotainment experience. The HR-V looks like the stronger all-around pick here because it scores higher and is praised for standard advanced safety features and better driving enjoyment. If you care most about space and style, the Taos still has appeal; if you want the better-rounded choice, the HR-V is the safer bet.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 27, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.