2025 Taos: A bold look, new technology, and updated powertrain for Volkswagen's entry SUV
12/10/2024
Volkswagen
Building on a combination of bold design, efficiency, and roominess, the updated 2025 Taos further improves on the formula with upgraded tech, enhanced styling, and key powertrain updates. As one of Volkswagen's best-selling nameplates in the United States, the Taos embodies the brand's signature driving dynamics as well as its focus on quality and versatility. With a wide range of updates for 2025, the Taos continues to be the smart choice for people seeking value without compromise. Pricing for Taos models starts at an MSRP of $24,995 for the S front-wheel drive model and $26,695 for the S 4Motion all-wheel-drive model. Destination fee is $1,425.
Exterior
The changes begin at the front end, where a new bumper design, a new grille with an available light bar, and standard LED projector headlights with available Adaptive Front- lighting System (AFS) offer a more expressive and upscale appearance. Connected taillights and an illuminated Volkswagen badge continue the theme at the rear.
Squared-off wheelarches and a strong character line give the side profile of Taos a sculpted, purposeful look. Roof rails are standard, with S models carrying black roof rails and side mirrors, while SE and SEL models have silver roof rails and body-colored side mirrors. A panoramic sunroof is optional on SE models and standard on SEL.
Several new wheels designs are offered across the lineup. New 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels wrapped in 215/55 all-season tires are standard, with 18-inch five-spoke machined alloys with 215/55 all-season tires on S 4Motion models. SE models both carry 18-inch machined alloy wheels- with215/50 all-season tires on front-wheel-drive models and split five-spoke machined wrapped in 215/55 all-season tires on 4Motion(R) models. SE Black front-wheel-drive models sport black, 18-inch wheels, wrapped in 215/50 all-season tires, while 4Motion models wear black, 19-inch wheels wrapped in 235/45 tires. SEL models sport the same wheels as the SE Black 4Motion, but in a machine finish; The optional Black Wheel Package on SE front-wheel drive, are the same black wheels found on the SE Black, and SEL models can upgrade to the SE Black 4Motion wheel as an option.
The SE Black trim, introduced for 2024, continues with a blackout look. Outside, this includes black roof and roof rails, gunmetal front and rear trim and exhaust tips, and a black spoiler. Inside, the dash is finished with gloss-black decor, and black scuff plates match the fully blacked out interior.
Vibrant new exterior shades called Bright Moss Green Metallic and Monterey Blue Pearl debut alongside Monument Gray, joining Deep Black Pearl, Platinum Gray Metallic, Pyrite Silver Metallic, Pure White, and Cornflower Blue for 2025.
As with models ranging from the Golf family to the Atlas, the Taos is built on Volkswagen's MQB platform. Dimensionally, Taos sits at the middle of the entry-compact SUV space, in contrast to the Tiguan which is at the top of the compact SUV space. The 2025 Taos is 175.9 inches long-10.2 inches shy of the 2024 Tiguan. The front-wheel-drive Taos is 72.5 inches wide, 64.5 inches tall, and has a wheelbase of 105.9 inches. The all-wheel-drive Taos is 72.5 inches wide, 65.1 inches tall, and boasts a wheelbase of 105.5 inches.
Interior
For 2025, the cabin of Taos continues to emphasize modern design, premium fit and finish, and advanced technology. A redesigned dash with contrasting accent trim and an integrated semi-floating infotainment display brings a more contemporary look and feel, while new materials and colors offer greater personalization and enhanced aesthetics. New acoustic dampening treatments help to reduce interior noise as well.
The redesigned dashboard features decor which varies by trim and borders the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit, while an accent runs beneath it and surrounds the air vents. The lower level provides a soft-touch surface, which runs the width of the interior and continues through the door panels on each side, surrounding the front passengers.
Taos S features two-tone black and grey cloth upholstery; SE and SE Black models are equipped with CloudTex and cloth materials-SE in two different two-tone options and SE Black in all black. SEL models are outfitted with leather seating surfaces available in either a two-tone black and grey combination or a new striking dark blue hue.
To create a visual connection across all interior elements, the same materials are used for seat covers and other soft decor. SEL models feature a standard 10-color LED ambient lighting system.
Thanks to its long wheelbase, the Taos has a roomy 99.5 cubic feet of passenger space-just 1.6 cu ft less than the two-row 2024 Tiguan. Front-wheel-drive models have 27.9 cu ft of luggage space behind the second-row seats and 65.9 cu ft with the second row folded down. All-wheel-drive models have 24.9 cu ft of space behind the second row and 60.2 cu ft when the second row is folded. In addition to its generous cargo space, Taos offers plenty of room for all passengers, with 40.1 inches of legroom in the front and 37.9 in the rear.
Across the lineup, creature comforts for drivers and passengers abound. Standard convenience features include automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, heated leatherette-wrapped multifunction steering wheel, and KESSY(R)-Go push-button start. SE models add full KESSY keyless access, remote start, dual-zone Climatronic(R) automatic climate control, an 8-way power driver seat with lumbar, auto-dimming rearview mirror, heated front seats, heated side mirrors, heated washer nozzles, and privacy glass. SE trims add touch control for the Climatronic system. SEL trims add ventilated front seats.
The 2025 Taos offers a conveniently connected experience. Taos S trims are equipped with the MIB3 Composition Color unit, which features an 8-inch capacitive touchscreen display. Along with its larger and higher resolution glass touchscreen display, the new infotainment system features two USB-C ports with 45-watt fast charging and Bluetooth(R) technology for compatible devices.
SE and SEL Taos models are also equipped with 8-inch glass-covered displays-SE with Composition Media and SEL with Discover Media with navigation. Connecting devices is easy with standard wireless App-Connect (including CarPlay(R) and Android AutoTM) and wireless charging for compatible devices, and two USB-C ports in the center stack and one charge-only port in the storage console. All USB-C ports feature 45-watt fast charging. Both units feature Bluetooth technology for compatible devices, HD radio, and SiriusXM(R) with 360L (3-month Platinum Plan trial). With a paid Car-Net Wi-Fi Hotspot subscription and Plus Nav Package, maps can be automatically updated with the most up-to-date traffic and construction information.
The Volkswagen Digital Cockpit system, standard on all Taos models, presents drivers with a fully digital instrument cluster. S models feature an 8-inch display with two views and customizable widgets to show a variety of vehicle information. SE and SEL models receive the 10.25-inch fully configurable Digital Cockpit Pro with up to four views-including full-screen navigation-and numerous viewing options, including car status, navigation, driving data, phone information, and driver assistance features. If the vehicle is equipped with navigation drivers can display a full screen map in the digital cluster and simultaneously on the center display when using the native system.
There are two speaker configurations for Taos-S models include four speakers and SE and above models include six.
SiriusXM with 360L. Taos models offer the most advanced audio entertainment platform-SiriusXM with 360L. SiriusXM with 360L combines satellite and streaming content delivery into a single, cohesive in-vehicle entertainment experience and provides more choice and a more personalized listening experience. Available by subscription (three-month trial subscription included), SiriusXM with 360L delivers more SiriusXM channels, an expansive library of on demand content, plus personalized "For You" recommendations help listeners to discover more of what they love. An enhanced sports play-by-play offering makes it easier to find the listener's favorite team when it is game time, and individual listener profiles allow multiple drivers and passengers to customize their own favorite channels.
Volkswagen Car-Net(R). For model year 2025, myVW users can enroll in a number of Car-Net connected services such as: Remote Access, Safe & Secure, Vehicle Insights, and Wi-Fi- Hotspot. The Vehicle Insights plan will be available this Fall at no additional charge for seven years from original vehicle in-service date. For vehicles with a compatible infotainment system and active data plan, additional online features are available with a paid subscription that provides enhanced navigation and infotainment.
Remote Access allows users the ability to interact with their vehicle via the myVW mobile app. It is offered at no additional charge for five years from the date of vehicle purchase. Features include remote start and stop (if equipped), door lock and unlock, honk and flash of lights, last parked location, parking information, Vehicle Alerts, and Roadside Call Assist.
For vehicles equipped with factory-installed navigation systems, Car-Net can make customers' lives easier by locating off-street parking information and sending destinations or points of interest directly to their car from the app. The parking information feature, Powered by ParkopediaTM, is accessed through the Navigate tab on the app. Users can click the "P" icon to show available parking locations, either in the immediate vicinity or near a Point of Interest. Clicking on a specific location will display the address, hours of operation and pricing. Users can also send the location to their car's navigation system, if so equipped, by clicking the "Send to Vehicle" button.
Vehicle Alerts and Roadside Call Assist can provide added peace-of-mind no matter who is driving. Speed Alert notifies the user when the pre-determined maximum speed limit is exceeded. Boundary Alert lets the user know when the vehicle has traveled outside of a pre-set virtual boundary. Curfew Alert notifies the user if the vehicle is driven while curfew alert is on. Valet Alert warns if the vehicle is driven more than 0.2 miles from the valet drop-off location. The myVW app allows users to control who receives notifications by designating primary and secondary users, with varying levels of control and functionality for each. Notifications can come in the form of text messages, emails, or push notifications from the mobile app itself. If the vehicle is disabled, Roadside Call Assist is available at the touch of the wrench button.
With the Car-Net skill enabled on your AmazonTM devices, users can ask AlexaTM to send remote commands to their vehicle from the comfort of their own home-for instance: "Alexa, ask Car-Net to honk my horn." To set up, users who have an active Amazon account should open the skills page associated with their car model in their Alexa app and link the skill to their VW Car-Net account.
Safe & Secure is available at no additional cost for five years for model year 2025 vehicles. Upon activation, the five-year plan includes Emergency Assistance, Information Assistance, Automatic Crash Notification, Anti-Theft Alert (requires the myVW app), Stolen Vehicle Location Assistance, Vehicle H.E.L.P.(R), and Roadside Awareness Alerts. Emergency Assistance can be accessed through the SOS button in the vehicle, and, if a cellular connection can be established, puts the driver in contact with the Volkswagen Response center, who can direct emergency responders to the vehicle's location and notify the user's Emergency Contact. Information Assistance-accessed through the i-call button within the vehicle-allows the driver to speak to a Volkswagen Response agent for support needs, such as points of interest and account services. Provided a cellular connection can be established, Automatic Crash Notification can help automatically notify an operator who can quickly contact first responders in the event of a collision. Anti-Theft Alert sends a push notification to the user if the vehicle's anti-theft alarm is triggered, and Stolen Vehicle Location Assistance uses vehicle location to assist law enforcement with tracking the vehicle in the event that it is stolen. Vehicle H.E.L.P. and Roadside Awareness Alerts are new additions to the Safe and Secure plan and will be available for select vehicles in the Fall. Vehicle H.E.L.P. can be activated by the driver if their vehicle is disabled on the road due to a crash or maintenance issue (e.g., flat tire). Once activated, this feature can notify oncoming drivers that they are approaching a disabled vehicle to help avoid potential collisions. Roadside Awareness Alerts are in-vehicle warnings that may appear when an emergency vehicle or disabled vehicle is nearby. To activate the plan, accept the Car-Net Terms of Service during myVW sign up and then enroll in Safe & Secure located in the Shop section of the myVW app.
Coming this Fall, the new Vehicle Insights plan is available for seven years (from original vehicle in-service date) at no additional charge for model year 2025 vehicles. With this plan, the user has access to vehicle health, status, and maintenance alerts. Vehicle Health Reports provide easy access to vehicle diagnostic information. Reports generate automatically each month after enrollment and are sent directly to the email address in the user's profile; updated reports can be requested anytime through the mobile app. Users can also check vehicle status to make sure their vehicle is fueled up and ready for their next commute. Additionally, users can receive maintenance notifications when their vehicle may need attention at their local VW dealer.
A Wi-Fi Hotspot data plan subscription allows passengers to access the internet with up to four connected devices simultaneously, including compatible tablets, smartphones, laptops, gaming devices, and more-at 4G LTE-enabled speed. Volkswagen's Carrier of Choice gives our customers the option to select a Wi-Fi data plan from either VerizonTM or T-Mobile(R). With just a few clicks in the myVW mobile app, users can add their new Volkswagen vehicle to their existing mobile data plan or purchase a new one. Verizon Wireless or T-Mobile customers with an existing mobile data plan can simply add their Volkswagen vehicle as a new line item to their existing monthly bill; non-Verizon or T-Mobile customers can set up an unlimited plan for $20/month (taxes and fees may apply). With an active Wi-Fi data plan, the Plus Online radio subscription can be purchased to enable online internet radio with 30,000+ radio stations and podcasts. Media streaming apps can also be accessed at no additional charge, including iHeartRadioTM and TIDALTM (both require existing accounts).
Car-Net also offers additional annual paid subscription packages to enhance the navigation and infotainment experience for MY25 VW users with a compatible infotainment system. The Plus Nav package allows drivers to access online map updates, traffic reports, fuel prices, and parking information. The Plus Speech package offers advanced voice controls using natural language to enhance map destination entry for addresses and points of interest, media on demand, and more. For certain MY25 vehicles, Plus Speech with AI is available. The Plus Speech with AI package brings advanced voice control to the next level. With the help of generative AI, users can get answers to a wider range of questions and requests.
To activate these connected features, users must download the myVW mobile app and accept the myVW and Car-Net terms of service. Some services mentioned require additional enrollment.
Powertrain
Under the hood of the 2025 Taos is an updated version of the efficient 1.5-liter EA211 turbocharged four-cylinder TSI(R) engine. Hardware changes include revised piston rings and fuel injectors, a modified turbo housing, a larger intercooler, and a new gasoline particulate filter. These changes raise the powerplant's output to 174 horsepower, up from the outgoing model's 158 hp. Torque remains at 184 pound-feet. The revised power plant features Volkswagen's modified version of the Miller cycle, where the intake valves are closed early in the induction stroke to help with fuel economy. For a turbocharged engine, it has a high compression ratio of up to 11.5 to one.
The engine is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission in the front-wheel-drive model, with a Sport mode. To further enhance drivability, an eight-speed automatic transmission replaces the seven-speed DSG(R) dual-clutch automatic on 4Motion models.
Taos front-wheel-drive models have EPA-estimated ratings of 28 mpg city, 36 mpg highway, and 31 mpg combined. Taos 4Motion(R) all-wheel-drive models have EPA-estimated ratings of 25 mpg city, 33 mpg highway, and 28 mpg combined. All ratings are based on regular unleaded fuel.
Driving Mode Selection. The Driving Mode Selection feature is standard on AWD models and offers three modes: "Normal," "Sport," and "Individual." Normal and Sport have a different steering heft and throttle response, and Sport mode gives more aggressive shifts. Individual mode allows a driver to tailor the steering and throttle map.
4Motion All-wheel-drive System. Volkswagen's 4Motion with Active Control all-wheel-drive system with Driving Mode Selection is available on all Taos models. The latest-generation 4Motion system is designed to activate before wheelspin occurs, helping eliminate traction losses. The system achieves this by using an advanced control function based on specific driving conditions. When operating under a relatively low load or when coasting, the front wheels are driven and the rear wheels are decoupled, a feature designed to help to save fuel. However, the rear wheels can be engaged in fractions of a second whenever necessary via the center differential, which is activated by an electro-hydraulic oil pump.
A control unit continually calculates the ideal drive torque for the rear wheels and controls how much the multi-plate clutch should be closed by activating the oil pump. The oil pressure increases the contact pressure at the clutch plates in proportion to the torque desired at the rear axle. So, the amount of pressure applied to the clutch plates can be used to continuously vary the amount of torque going between the front and rear wheels, up to a maximum of 50% at the rear axle.
In addition to the center differential that acts longitudinally, electronic differential locks that are a function of the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system act laterally. The system can briefly brake a wheel that is slipping, enabling uninterrupted and stable transfer of drive power to the wheel on the opposite side.
Active Control. All Taos models with 4Motion all-wheel drive feature Active Control, which allows the driver to select specific vehicle profiles based on driving conditions. It has four settings: Snow, On-Road, Off-Road, and Off-Road Custom. Within the On-Road setting, additional options are offered: Normal, Sport, Comfort, and Individual. These alter operating parameters for drive systems like the engine, transmission, steering, and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), as well as traction-assistance systems like Hill Descent Assist and Hill Start Assist. The singular user interface is highly intuitive, comprising both a rotary knob and a push-button. Turning the knob engages the various drive modes, while pushing the button triggers a pop-up menu on the screen of the infotainment system, allowing the driver to fine tune the On-Road mode.
On-Road mode is the default setting. Here, the Taos automatically varies the drive distribution between the two axles, accounting for road conditions. A press of the button triggers the driving profile selection screen to pop up on the infotainment screen, offering the driver a choice of "Normal", "Sport", "Eco", and "Individual" drive modes. Within each, the tuning parameters for the engine control, gearbox, steering and optional ACC are varied.
In Snow mode, the controls are adjusted to help negate unintentional and excessive wheelspin, and the transmission upshifts earlier to help optimize traction. Communicating with the accelerator pedal and individual wheel speed sensors, the Traction Control System (TCS) helps reduce engine power the moment it detects slippage. The sensitivity of the system is more relaxed in straight-line situations to allow adequate power transfer, while the limits are tightened in cornering, where traction is of paramount importance. Last but not least, ACC is switched to the more defensive "Eco" driving profile when in Snow mode.
Off-Road mode offers similar throttle and transmission characteristics to Snow mode, adding manual control of transmission shifting via Tiptronic(R) (the throttle kickdown switch will force a downshift). The Start/Stop system is switched off in this mode, and ACC operates normally. The ESC system is relaxed to help avoid false positives often encountered off-road, and Hill Descent Control is automatically activated on gradients of more than 10 percent. It functions at speeds between approximately 1 mph and 19 mph, and is adjustable via brakes or throttle.
With unique Off-Road ABS programming, the wheels can lock up briefly before the system reduces the brake pressure. This allows time for a small wedge of material from the ground (such as gravel or sand) to build up in front of the wheel, thus helping increase the braking effect. This means that the car remains steerable while its stopping distance can be substantially reduced. Finally, Off-Road Custom mode allows the driver to alter the steering, engine and gearbox behavior as well as Hill Descent Assist and Hill Start Assist. Off-Road Custom mode is not available for 2025 S 4Motion vehicles-if selected on the dial, it will operate the same as Off-Road mode.
Chassis
The Taos is built on the same sophisticated MQB chassis architecture as most other vehicles in the Volkswagen lineup. The unitary construction chassis has two solid-mounted subframes with bolt-on front fenders and utilizes advanced technologies such as the "wobble seam," which welds in a wave pattern to help maximize strength in a limited space.
The stamped steel body and chassis boasts a large percentage of high-strength, hot- formed steel. This technology, along with the use of ultra-high-strength steels, allows much of the chassis and body to be constructed from thinner and lighter parts without loss in strength.
The Taos uses a strut-type front suspension but has different rear suspension setups for the all-wheel- and front-wheel-drive models. AWD models have a multilink layout while FWD versions get a torsion beam. Braking is handled by 12.3-inch ventilated front and 10.7-inch solid rear disc brakes.
Safety and Driver Assistance
To help protect occupants, the Taos provides a combination of both passive and active safety systems. It features six airbags as standard (front and side airbags for front passengers and side curtain airbags for outboard seating positions), along with a number of electronic safety systems, such as an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC). All Taos models feature a standard rearview camera.
A standard feature on the Taos is Volkswagen's Automatic Post-Collision Braking System. This builds on the premise that a collision is rarely a single, instantaneous action, but rather a series of events that follow the initial impact-the most significant of which can cause additional collisions. The Automatic Post-Collision Braking System helps address this, in certain crash scenarios, by applying the brakes when a primary collision is detected by the airbag sensors, thus potentially reducing residual kinetic energy and, in turn, the chance of additional damage.
The Taos also includes Volkswagen's Intelligent Crash Response System that shuts off the fuel pump, unlocks the doors, and switches on the hazard lights if the car is involved in certain types of collisions.
Volkswagen's IQ.DRIVE(R) advanced driver assistance technology features hands-on semi-automated capability. On the highway, IQ.DRIVE features lane centering and a capacitive steering wheel to help make driving easier. Around town, IQ.DRIVE can alert you to surprise obstacles in front of you, and keeps an eye around you to help make driving safer.
The IQ.DRIVE system is standard on all trims for model year 2024. The system utilizes front and rear radar, a front camera and several ultrasound sensors to collect data from the surrounding area, enabling Travel Assist (semi-automated driving assistance); Front Assist (Forward Collision Warning and Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Monitoring); Active Blind Spot Monitor; Rear Traffic Alert; Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) Stop and Go; Lane Assist (Lane Keeping System); and Emergency Assist (semi-automated vehicle assistance in a medical emergency).
Travel Assist enables semi-automated hands-on driving capability from 0 to 95 mph. Travel Assist can be activated by a button on the steering wheel, and uses the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Lane Assist (Lane Keeping Assist) features to help to steer as well as accelerate and brake the vehicle in response to traffic and center the vehicle within lane markings. This allows the driver to observe driving tasks while using minimal force on the wheel. It is the driver's responsibility to continuously monitor the system, remain alert, and maintain control of the vehicle at all times. To ensure this, Travel Assist monitors the capacitive steering wheel to make sure the driver has their hands on it.
Front Assist is intended to warn drivers of potential frontal collisions (Forward Collision Warning) with vehicles and pedestrians, and in some cases provide automatic braking assistance (Automatic Emergency Braking). The system can detect pedestrians traveling parallel to or crossing in front of the vehicle and alert the driver.
Within physical system limits, Forward Collision Warning warns the driver of potential imminent front-end collision situations, both acoustically and visually by a warning symbol in the instrument cluster if the car is traveling above 18 mph. Furthermore, an automatic jolt of the brakes can warn the driver of the danger. If the driver fails to brake, Automatic Emergency Braking is activated to help slow the vehicle. If the car is traveling below 18 mph and the system detects a potential front-end collision, Automatic Emergency Braking activates without a prior acoustic and visual warning. If the brake pedal is applied but the driver brakes too lightly, the brake pressure can be increased by the system (Braking Support).
Blind Spot Monitor uses two radar sensors at the rear of the vehicle to scan the approaching traffic and is intended to warn drivers of the presence of other vehicles in adjacent lanes. If the driver uses the turn signal to indicate a lane change while a vehicle is detected in a blind spot, the system utilizes a flashing LED symbol in the outer area of the side mirrors. Even if the driver does not use a turn signal, the LED symbol in the mirror will illuminate if a vehicle is detected in the blind spot. The system is designed to help alert drivers in specific situations; stationary objects or oncoming vehicles do not trigger warnings, nor do vehicles more than one lane across away from the vehicle.
If Lane Assist is active, Blind Spot Monitor becomes Active Blind Spot monitor and the system not only warns the driver with the flashing LED symbol if a vehicle is detected in the blind spot, but within system limits, it can also countersteer to help keep the car in its lane even if the turn signal is on. If the driver still tries to steer out of the lane, the system will warn with an additional vibration of the steering wheel.
The Rear Traffic Alert system is intended to detect vehicles approaching from the side that may be difficult for the driver to see while reversing. The system offers a 180-degree view of the back of the car, and will present a visual and an acoustic warning, if a potential collision with a crossing vehicle is detected. If the driver does not react, the system can apply the brakes to help mitigate and, in the best case, can prevent a collision. The system is activated by putting the car in reverse.
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) uses a forward-facing radar to maintain a set speed while helping maintain a set distance to the vehicle in front. The driver sets the speed and the desired spacing via buttons on the multifunction steering wheel and can further use those buttons to adjust and cancel the ACC function while the accelerator can be used to override the ACC function. Pressing the brakes always cancels the ACC function. All ACC-related system messages appear in the central multifunction display.
When the roadway ahead of the vehicle is clear, the system maintains the set speed. Models fitted with ACC can match speeds with a vehicle in front and come to a stop if the vehicle in front stops. If the car in front moves within three seconds, ACC will resume automatically to the set speed. If the car stands longer than three seconds, the driver can resume ACC control by pressing the accelerator pedal or the "resume" button on the steering wheel.
Lane Assist (Lane Keeping System) uses cameras to recognize lane markings and help drivers stay within them. When driving above 35 mph, if the system's camera recognizes visible lane markings and, using a special algorithm, calculates that the vehicle is unintentionally straying from its lane without using a turn signal, Lane Assist will vibrate the steering wheel to warn the driver, and then actively countersteer to help keep the vehicle in its lane. If the driver takes his or her hands off the wheel for a defined period of time, the system provides an audible warning and a visual signal in the instrument cluster, asking the driver to take over.
The system will not intervene if it cannot properly detect lane markings. If the turn signal has been set before crossing a lane marking, the Lane Assist system will not intervene or give a warning. The driver can override the system at any time by applying minimal force to the steering wheel.
Emergency Assist can bring the vehicle to a stop if the driver is incapacitated. Emergency Assist constantly monitors the driver's attentiveness by checking the input of their hands on the steering wheel. If the system does not detect driver input, a series of warnings (visual, audible, and brake jolts) will occur. If still no input is detected, Emergency Assist will slow the vehicle to a gradual stop in its own lane and activate hazard lights. Emergency Assist requires Lane Assist or Travel Assist to be active for the system to intervene.
In addition to IQ.DRIVE, the Taos has available Park Distance Control, Dynamic Road Sign Display, and Light Assist (High Beam Control for headlights). Park Distance Control, standard on SE trims and above, uses ultrasonic sensors located in the front and rear bumpers to monitor a range of up to approximately five feet in front or behind the vehicle. The system may activate below 9 mph and helps provide guidance when parking or in tight spaces. The system has audible and visual warnings when the car starts to approach parked cars or static objects of sufficient size from the rear.
Maneuver Braking, a part of the Park Distance Control system, is intended to mitigate or help prevent collisions with detected static obstacles to the rear while the vehicle is maneuvered. The system is active between 1-6 mph. If the system detects a stationary object, it can apply the brakes automatically to help prevent or mitigate a collision. The system can be deactivated at any time using the touch display or permanently in the setup menu.
Dynamic Road Sign Display, standard on SEL trims, uses a forward-facing camera to detect and read road signs. After verifying the information with signage data stored in the onboard navigation, the system alerts the driver on the infotainment screen in the center console, and on the Digital Cockpit instrument display.
Light Assist, standard on all trims, automatically switches on the headlamp high beams above 18 mph on dark or poorly lit roads, if there is no oncoming traffic detected. Below 12 mph, the high beams automatically switch off.
Warranty & Maintenance
Every 2025 Taos comes with a bumper-to-bumper New Vehicle Limited Warranty and Carefree Maintenance Program. The warranty provides coverage for four years or 50,000-miles (whichever occurs first) and can be transferred to a subsequent owner throughout the remainder of its duration. The Carefree Maintenance Program provides scheduled maintenance services at one year or 10,000 miles (whichever occurs first) and two years or 20,000 miles (whichever occurs first) at no additional charge, and can be transferred to a subsequent owner throughout the remainder of its duration. Taos models also receive complimentary coverage in the Volkswagen 24-Hour Roadside Assistance Program for three years or 36,000 miles (whichever occurs first).
Competitive Set
Honda HR-V, Mazda CX-30, Subaru Crosstrek, Toyota Corolla Cross