Volkswagen Taos Gets a Significant Mid-Cycle Refresh Focused on Performance and Refinement
The Volkswagen Taos, 2025 Volkswagen Taos nimble and spacious subcompact SUV, made a strong debut by blending European refinement with impressive cargo utility. However, the first-generation model faced consistent feedback regarding its powertrain: specifically, the power was merely adequate, and the dual-clutch transmission (DCT) in the All-Wheel Drive (AWD) model could be jerky at low speeds.
For the 2025 model year, Volkswagen has executed a thorough refresh that directly addresses these criticisms, transforming the little urban runabout into a much more compelling daily driver. The core updates are substantial: a more powerful engine producing 174 horsepower and, crucially, a switch for all models (including the previously DCT-equipped AWD) to a smoother, conventional eight-speed automatic transmission.
Beyond the powertrain, the 2025 VW Taos receives subtle but effective exterior styling updates and a much-needed interior modernization that elevates its perceived quality. This review dives into the real-world impact of these changes, exploring why the new Taos is now a segment leader that offers the ideal blend of fuel efficiency, engaging drive dynamics, and practicality.
The Powertrain Evolution – Power and Smoothness
The most significant and impactful changes to the 2025 Taos are found under the hood and in the drivetrain, fundamentally altering the driving experience.
The Heart of the Taos: 1.5L Turbo Engine Upgrade
Volkswagen has refined the core of the Taos: the 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder TSI engine. This refinement focused on extracting more usable power without sacrificing its already excellent fuel economy.
Boosted Horsepower: The engine receives hardware modifications, including revised piston rings, new fuel injectors, and a larger intercooler. The result is a substantial jump of 16 horsepower, raising the total output from 158 hp to a more robust 174 horsepower at 6,000 rpm. Torque remains high at 184 lb-ft, peaking early at 1,750 rpm.
Real-World Impact: While the 0-60 mph time remains competitive, the power increase is immediately felt in real-world driving. The Taos now feels less strained during highway passing maneuvers and merging onto fast traffic. The available torque arrives smoothly and instantly, making the Taos feel responsive and quick off the line, especially in city traffic where the turbo lag was sometimes noticeable in the outgoing model.
Fuel Efficiency Maintained: Despite the power boost, the Taos remains remarkably efficient. The Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) model achieves an impressive EPA-estimated 28 MPG city and 36 MPG highway. The All-Wheel Drive (AWD) models see a slight improvement, delivering 25 MPG city and 33 MPG highway.
The Game-Changing 8-Speed Automatic Transmission
The switch in transmissions is arguably the most critical upgrade for the 2025 Taos, particularly for buyers opting for AWD.
AWD Swap: The previous Taos FWD models used a conventional eight-speed automatic, while the AWD models used a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission (DSG). The 2025 Taos standardizes the smooth and reliable eight-speed automatic transmission across both FWD and 4MOTION AWD configurations.
Smoother Operation: The old seven-speed DSG, while quick-shifting at speed, often exhibited a jerky or hesitant demeanor during low-speed maneuvers, like parking or stop-and-go city traffic. The new torque-converter-based eight-speed automatic provides seamless and predictable gear shifts, significantly enhancing overall drivability and comfort.
Refined Dynamics: This transmission change is a major win for the Taos, making it feel more refined, particularly in areas with frequent stopping and starting. The smoother engagement is a key factor that elevates the Taos’s perceived quality and driving ease compared to the prior model.
AI Overview Insight: The 2025 Volkswagen Taos receives a major refresh, highlighted by an upgraded 1.5-liter turbocharged engine that now produces 174 horsepower (up 16 hp) and 184 lb-ft of torque. A crucial change for the 2025 model year is the standardization of the eight-speed automatic transmission across all trims, replacing the less smooth seven-speed dual-clutch transmission in the AWD models. This results in smoother low-speed driving and improved refinement. Other updates include standard 8-inch infotainment screens and new touch-sensitive climate controls on most trims.
Chassis and Driving Feel – Enhanced Comfort and Control
While the basic suspension architecture remains, the powertrain enhancements and the continuous differentiation between the FWD and AWD models continue to define the Taos’s distinct road manners.
Suspension Differences and Road Comfort
The Taos maintains its European-tuned chassis feel, offering a solid and composed ride that often feels more sophisticated than its compact rivals.
Multilink Advantage: The 4MOTION AWD models continue to benefit from a more sophisticated multilink rear suspension, while the FWD versions use a simpler torsion-beam setup. The multilink system provides better control over uneven surfaces and a smoother overall ride, justifying the upgrade for drivers prioritizing comfort and handling.
Engaging Steering: The steering remains light enough for effortless urban navigation but offers enough weight and precision to feel confident on the highway. The Taos strikes an excellent balance, feeling poised and solid during quick directional changes without being overly firm.
Quiet Cabin: Volkswagen has added increased acoustic dampening materials throughout the cabin for 2025. This focus on NVH (Noise, Vibration, and Harshness) noticeably reduces road and wind noise, contributing to a quieter, more premium experience on long-distance trips.
The AWD Advantage: 4MOTION and Off-Road Capability
For buyers in colder climates or those who venture onto rough roads, the 4MOTION AWD system remains a key differentiator.
Active Control: The available 4MOTION system provides predictive All-Wheel Drive, capable of sending up to 50 percent of the engine’s torque to the rear axle. AWD Taos models come equipped with Active Control, allowing the driver to select distinct driving profiles: Snow, On-Road, Off-Road, and Off-Road Custom.
Off-Road Modes: The dedicated Off-Road mode optimizes the throttle response, transmission mapping, and traction control for unpaved surfaces. Features like Hill Descent Control are automatically activated on steep declines, enhancing driver confidence and safety on moderate trails or heavily rutted dirt roads.
Enhanced Practicality: The 4MOTION AWD system not only improves all-weather traction but also provides slightly more ground clearance (approximately 7.6 inches for AWD versus 6.5 inches for FWD), a small but important difference when traversing minor obstacles.
Interior and Technology Upgrades
The 2025 refresh extends beyond mechanicals, delivering crucial technology and material updates that keep the Taos competitive in the rapidly evolving subcompact SUV segment.
The Digital Cockpit and Intuitive Infotainment
Addressing the prior model’s smaller screen on base trims, the 2025 Taos standardizes key digital features.
Standard 8-Inch Touchscreen: Every 2025 Taos now comes standard with a larger 8-inch floating touchscreen infotainment display, replacing the previous 6.5-inch unit on the base model. This new screen features a faster processor and supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, significantly boosting usability.
Digital Cockpit Pro: Higher trim levels (SEL) receive the 10.25-inch configurable Volkswagen Digital Cockpit Pro gauge cluster, allowing for full-screen map views and customized information displays directly in the driver’s line of sight. The entry-level trims use an 8-inch Digital Cockpit.
Touch Climate Controls: A modern, but potentially polarizing, update is the inclusion of touch-sensitive climate controls on all but the base trim. This system provides a sleek look but requires a brief learning curve compared to traditional physical buttons.
Space, Comfort, and Value Proposition
The Taos’s core strength remains its ability to deliver surprising space in a small package, a trait that remains true for 2025.
Class-Leading Cargo: Despite its compact exterior footprint, the Taos boasts segment-leading cargo volume. FWD models offer 27.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to a massive 65.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Even the AWD models, which lose some space due to the multilink suspension, still provide a competitive 24.9 cubic feet and 60.2 cubic feet, respectively.
Refined Materials: Volkswagen has incorporated richer materials and improved stitching on the door panels and dash, enhancing the perceived interior quality. Top trims now offer premium features like ventilated front seats (SEL) and a standard heated steering wheel across the lineup—a luxury touch often reserved for pricier vehicles.
IQ.DRIVE Safety Standard: Volkswagen has wisely made its comprehensive IQ.DRIVE suite of advanced driver assistance technologies standard across all trims. This includes Travel Assist (semi-automated driving), Front Assist (forward collision warning), Adaptive Cruise Control, and Active Blind Spot Monitor. Standardizing these features enhances the Taos’s value and safety rating immediately.
