Used 2023 Volkswagen Taos for Sale nearWashington, DC

How much does the 2023 Volkswagen Taos cost?

Prices have softened 4.44% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 4,028 listings available, which suggests solid inventory 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 6.3/10 expert rating. The model scores 9/10 across Look and feel and Form and function.

It stands out as Volkswagen’s most affordable crossover, and it gives you the higher driving position and utility you expect from a small SUV. The roomy interior for four people and strong cargo space make it especially appealing if you want everyday usefulness in a compact footprint.

The trade-offs are clear: the drivetrain is irritating and underpowered, and the infotainment system’s user experience is a drawback. Even so, the added standard safety features for 2023 strengthen its value-oriented appeal.

Good and great deals account for 34.5% of listings, 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 presented as a practical, utility-focused small SUV with a roomy cabin and useful everyday packaging. Volkswagen also adds more standard safety features for 2023, which supports the sense that this model year is aimed at buyers who want a well-equipped compact crossover.

Volkswagen also includes complimentary scheduled maintenance for two years or 20,000 miles, whichever comes first, which helps reduce early ownership costs. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is that the powertrain and infotainment shortcomings may affect day-to-day satisfaction more than outright durability.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 89.5% — 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 transmission responds, how the infotainment system behaves, and whether the vehicle feels as tidy and well-kept as the listing photos suggest.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The Taos comes in S, SE, and SEL trim levels, and the base S is the one most likely to leave you wanting more equipment. The higher trims add a more upscale look and feel, with the SEL bringing the most premium presentation.
• Powertrain: Every 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 S includes Front Assist, 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.
• Infotainment: S trim gets a 6.5-inch touchscreen, while SE and SEL use an 8-inch screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L, and wireless 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’s core space, utility, and standard safety upgrades without the extra cost of the higher trims. It makes sense if you want the lowest buy-in and can live with the simpler infotainment setup.
• SE: This is the best-value trim because it adds the IQ.Drive safety suite, wireless smartphone integration, and a more complete feature set without jumping all the way to the top model. If you want the strongest balance 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, parking sensors with automatic braking, and the most premium cabin presentation. Choose it if you want the most features and the most polished feel.

The safety-package upgrade from S to SE is the key trim-level jump to watch.

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

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

• Deal availability: 34.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 4,028 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 4.44% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 89.5% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $20,316, 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 $20,519 sits slightly below last year's $21,472.

That softer pricing suggests the Taos has already moved into a more buyer-friendly part of its depreciation curve. If you buy well now, you may be starting from a more realistic market position than shoppers who paid closer to last year’s average.

For a future seller, the upside is that the Taos still offers strong practicality, a roomy cabin, and broad appeal as an affordable crossover. Those traits can help support demand, especially if your vehicle is clean, well maintained, and equipped with the more desirable safety and tech features.

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 makes the 2023 Taos safer by adding more standard equipment. The S now includes Front Assist with pedestrian detection and automatic emergency braking, 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 a standout feature, and the lane-keeping and adaptive cruise functions are described as smooth and refined. The main caveat is that some of the more advanced driver-assistance features are reserved for higher trims.

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:

• 34.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 89.5% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 4.44% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2023 model adds more standard safety features, which strengthens its value-oriented appeal.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $17,993, the 2022 costs less than the current year's $20,519 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 better-equipped version with stronger standard safety content and are comfortable paying more for it. If your priority is saving money and you can live with the older model year’s simpler setup, the 2022 remains the budget-friendly path.

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 has the edge in style and cargo space, but its drivetrain and infotainment drawbacks hold it back. The HR-V looks like the stronger all-around pick here because it brings standard advanced safety features and a more engaging driving experience. If you care most about value and utility, the Taos still has appeal; if you want the better-rated overall package, the HR-V is the safer bet.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 21, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.