Used 2023 Volkswagen Taos for Sale nearRaleigh, NC

How much does the 2023 Volkswagen Taos cost?

Prices have softened 2.94% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 4,052 listings available, which suggests solid inventory availability for shoppers comparing prices and trims.

Is the 2023 Volkswagen Taos a good car?

Yes — the 2023 Volkswagen Taos earns a 5/5 user rating and a 6.33/10 expert rating. The model scores 9/10 across Look and feel and Form and function.

The Taos makes sense if you want a small SUV with a higher driving position, a roomy cabin for four people, and plenty of utility. Its styling also helps it stand out from more generic entry-level crossovers, and the 2023 update adds more standard safety equipment.

The trade-offs are real, though: the drivetrain is described as irritating and underpowered, and the infotainment experience is a drawback. Even so, the Taos still fits well if your priorities are everyday usefulness, passenger space, and a more distinctive look than many rivals.

Good and great deals percentage: 37.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals, which gives you some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2023 Volkswagen Taos reliable?

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

The Taos is positioned as a practical, value-minded crossover with plenty of interior room and useful standard equipment. Its expert evaluation also points to a vehicle that delivers solid everyday utility, even if the powertrain is not its strongest trait.

The performance notes suggest the drivetrain can feel inconsistent and underpowered, so long-term ownership may be more about living with quirks than avoiding major complexity. For used buyers, that means you should focus on how the transmission behaves in real-world driving and whether the vehicle has been maintained consistently.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 89.7% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the history report carefully and prioritize a thorough test drive, especially if you’re considering a higher-mileage example. Pay close attention to how the powertrain responds at low speeds, how the infotainment system behaves, and whether the vehicle’s safety and convenience features work as expected.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The Taos comes in S, SE, and SEL trim levels. The S is the most basic version, while the SE and SEL add more equipment and a more upscale feel, so base-trim shoppers should pay close attention to feature gaps.
• Powertrain: Every 2023 Taos uses a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 158 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. Front-wheel-drive models use an eight-speed automatic, while AWD models use a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.
• Safety package: The Taos S includes Front Assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. IQ.Drive is standard on SE and optional on S, and it adds Lane Assist, Travel Assist, Emergency Assist, and active blind-spot monitoring. Automatic high beams are standard on SE and SEL, but optional on S.
• Infotainment: S models get a 6.5-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, and Car-Net connected services. SE and SEL models add an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L, wireless charging, and an extra USB port. The SEL adds a 10.25-inch digital display, native navigation, and an eight-speaker Beats Audio system.
• Fuel efficiency: The test vehicle averaged 26.8 mpg, and the official EPA rating is 28 mpg in combined driving.

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 core Taos formula at the lowest price. You still get the roomy cabin and practical utility, but you should expect the simplest infotainment setup and fewer standard convenience features than the higher trims.
• SE: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds the more desirable infotainment setup, wireless smartphone integration, wireless charging, and standard IQ.Drive. If you want the strongest mix of equipment and value, this is the trim to focus on.
• SEL: This is the most upscale version, with the 10.25-inch digital display, native navigation, Beats Audio, and more standard driver-assistance and parking tech. It suits you best if you want the most features and the most premium feel.

The safety-package upgrade path is important here: IQ.Drive is standard on SE and optional on S, while SEL adds the most complete equipment list.

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

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, so you can shop carefully and still find worthwhile listings.

• Deal availability: 37.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 4,052 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 2.94% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 89.7% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $20,317, 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 $21,001 sits slightly below last year's $21,636.

That decline suggests the Taos has softened a bit in the used market, which can help you as a buyer but may limit upside if you plan to resell soon. If you buy at the right price, you may be able to reduce depreciation risk by starting closer to the lower end of the current range.

The model’s broad appeal comes from its space, utility, and value-minded positioning, but its weaker powertrain and mixed value perception can affect future demand. That means resale should be strongest for well-kept examples with desirable equipment and clean history.

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 NHTSA and IIHS.

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

Volkswagen improved the standard safety equipment for 2023, and the Taos S now includes Front Assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. SE trims add IQ.Drive as standard, bringing Lane Assist, Travel Assist, Emergency Assist, and active blind-spot monitoring, while SEL trims add parking sensors with automatic braking and road-sign recognition.

Travel Assist is a standout feature, and the lane-assist system is described as calm rather than annoying. The main caveat is that crash-test performance is described as decent but imperfect, so you should still verify the exact equipment on any used example you’re considering.

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:

• 37.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 89.7% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 2.94% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2023 model adds more standard safety features and equipment than the prior year.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $18,436, the 2022 costs less than the current year's $21,001 average.
• It offers more space and utility than many small SUVs.

The bottom line: Choose the 2023 if you want the better-equipped version with stronger standard safety content and are comfortable paying more for it. If your priority is saving money, the 2022 is the better value path, especially if you find a clean example with the features you want.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 22, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.