Volkswagen offers a small range of crossover SUVs, the smallest of which is the subcompact Taos, available in five trim levels with front-wheel-drive (FWD) or all-wheel-drive (AWD) capability. It competes with models such as the Honda HR-V, the Kia Seltos, and the Toyota Corolla Cross.
2027 Volkswagen Taos Pricing, Specs, and Release Date
- What’s New for the 2027 Volkswagen Taos
- Design
- Powertrain
- Interior
- Technology
- Safety
- Pricing and Release Date
- Further Research
What’s New for the 2027 Volkswagen Taos
Launched for the 2022 model year, the Volkswagen Taos underwent a mild refresh in 2025 and, for 2027, the S, SE, SE Black Package, and SEL trim levels are joined by a new Taos Sport model, which builds on the base S with black and gunmetal exterior accents, black 18-inch alloy wheels, privacy glass, and black seats with yellow stitching. Additionally, the Taos S gets an upgraded infotainment system with more features and speakers, plus a keyless entry system.
Design
As expected, the S FWD offers the most humble of Taos aesthetics, with its 17-inch alloy wheels, standard glass, and plenty of black exterior trim. In typical VW fashion, the front and rear ends are adorned with precise LED lighting that give the vehicle a clean, contemporary look. Sport trim brings 18-inch alloys, rear privacy glass, and gunmetal accents that break up the black bumper treatments. Most notable on the Taos SE are its 18-inch machined alloy wheels, along with color-matched mirror caps, chrome window trim, and silver roof rails. Adaptive headlights are also standard on the SE. As the name implies, the SE Black Package gets black 19-inch alloys and black trim aplenty, plus a front LED light bar that spans the width of the grille. VW offers four two-tone paint options for this trim, and this trim only. As for the SEL, it sports a unique set of 19-inch machined alloy wheels, but otherwise pulls visual cues from other trims.
Powertrain
Volkswagen equips all 2027 Taos models with a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 174 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, delivered through an eight-speed automatic transmission. FWD is standard, and VW's 4Motion AWD is optional on all but the top SEL trim, which comes only with AWD. Towing is not recommended, regardless of configuration. According to the EPA, the FWD 2027 Taos should return 27 mpg city, 35 mpg highway, and 30 mpg combined, with AWD dropping those figures by 2 mpg on each cycle.
Interior
Starting with the base S version, the five-passenger Taos is fitted with cloth upholstery, a manually height-adjustable driver's seat, and 27.9 cubic feet of easily accessed cargo space. With the split-folding rear bench seat lowered, that expands to 65.9 cubic feet. Even with its budget price, the Taos S comes with a leatherette-wrapped heated steering wheel and a leather-trimmed shift knob, but heated front seats are reserved for upper trims (or S models equipped with AWD), as are VW's CloudTex synthetic-leather upholstery and a power-adjustable driver's seat with lumbar adjustment. A power-operated panoramic sunroof is standard on the SE Black Package and SEL, while genuine leather seats, ambient lighting, and ventilated front seats are exclusive to the Taos SEL.
Technology
Despite being VW's smallest and most affordable crossover SUV, the 2027 Taos comes with a decent array of tech, including a standard 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring HD and satellite radio, voice control, a non-configurable 8-inch driver display, and a six-speaker audio system. The SEL adds navigation, a premium sound system with a subwoofer, and a 10.25-inch configurable digital gauge cluster. Other notable features include Wi-Fi capability (a subscription is required after the initial free trial), Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and dual front USB-C ports. Wireless charging and a rear USB-C port are available.
