Used 2023 Volkswagen Taos for Sale nearRochester, NY

How much does the 2023 Volkswagen Taos cost?

Prices have softened 3.45% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 4,077 listings available, which gives you a solid pool of inventory to compare prices and equipment.

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 stands out as Volkswagen’s most affordable crossover, and it brings a higher driving position, a roomy interior for four people, and plenty of utility. It also adds more standard safety features for 2023, which strengthens its value-minded appeal.

The trade-offs are clear: the drivetrain is irritating and underpowered, and the infotainment system’s user experience is a drawback. That makes it a better fit if you want a practical small SUV with strong space and style rather than one that prioritizes power or tech polish.

36.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals, which suggests there are still worthwhile opportunities if you shop carefully.

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 small SUV with plenty of interior room, useful cargo space, and a value-focused mission. Its standard scheduled maintenance coverage for two years or 20,000 miles also helps reduce early ownership costs.

The powertrain is the main concern for long-term ownership because it is described as underpowered and inconsistent in response. If you buy used, focus on how the transmission behaves in everyday driving and make sure the vehicle history and service records are clean.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 89.6% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the vehicle history report, because even a strong accident-free share does not replace a VIN-level review. Prioritize a test drive that includes stop-and-go traffic, highway merging, and low-speed maneuvering so you can judge the drivetrain and brake behavior for yourself. Pay close attention to cabin condition, infotainment usability, and whether the equipment level matches the trim you expected.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The S, SE, and SEL trims differ meaningfully in appearance and equipment. The base S is the most affordable, but the higher trims add a more upscale look and feel, with the SEL bringing the most premium cabin presentation.
• Powertrain: Every 2023 Taos uses a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 158 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. FWD models use an eight-speed automatic, while AWD models use a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.
• Safety package: Front Assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert are standard on the S. IQ.Drive is standard on the SE and adds Lane Assist, Travel Assist, Emergency Assist, and active blind-spot monitoring. Automatic high beams are standard on SE and SEL, while parking sensors with automatic braking and road-sign recognition are reserved for the SEL.
• Infotainment: The S has a 6.5-inch touchscreen, while SE and SEL trims get an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth for multiple devices, SiriusXM 360L, wireless charging, and an added USB port. The SEL also 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 formula at the lowest price. You get the core space, utility, and standard safety upgrades for 2023, but the infotainment setup is the most basic, so it suits you best if you want the lowest-cost way into the model.
• SE: This is the best-value trim for most shoppers because it adds the stronger safety package, the 8-inch touchscreen, wireless smartphone integration, and wireless charging. It is the sweet spot if you want the most useful mix of equipment without moving all the way to the top trim.
• SEL: This is the most upscale version, with the 10.25-inch digital display, native navigation, Beats Audio, parking sensors with automatic braking, and road-sign recognition. Choose it if you want the most features and the most premium cabin presentation.

The SEL includes the most advanced safety and driver-assistance equipment, while the SE is the trim where the safety package becomes standard.

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

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, so you can shop with some leverage if you compare listings carefully.

• Deal availability: 36.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 4,077 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.45% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 89.6% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $20,315, 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 $20,914 sits slightly below last year's $21,661.

That softer pricing trend suggests the Taos has become a bit easier to buy than it was a year ago, which can help you if you're shopping now. For a future seller, it also means you should expect resale value to depend heavily on condition, mileage, and trim equipment rather than on broad market momentum alone.

Because the Taos is still a practical, well-equipped small SUV with strong owner satisfaction, it should continue to attract used buyers. Well-kept examples with desirable equipment are likely to hold demand better than stripped or heavily worn ones.

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 improved the Taos for 2023 with more standard safety equipment. Front Assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert are standard on the S, while IQ.Drive becomes standard on the SE and adds Lane Assist, Travel Assist, Emergency Assist, and active blind-spot monitoring. Automatic high beams are standard on SE and SEL, and the SEL adds parking sensors with automatic braking and road-sign recognition.

Travel Assist is a standout because it performs smoothly and accurately in real-world driving. The main caveat is that the crash-test results are described as decent rather than exceptional, so you should still prioritize the trim with the strongest safety package if that matters most to you.

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:

• 36.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 89.6% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.45% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2023 adds more standard safety features and equipment, which makes it a stronger value play than the prior year.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $18,343, the 2022 costs less than the current year's $20,914 average.
• It offers more space and utility than many buyers expect from a small crossover.

The bottom line: If you want the better-equipped version with stronger standard safety content, the 2023 is the smarter pick. If your priority is spending less up front, the 2022 can still make sense, especially if you find a clean example with the right equipment.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 29, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.