2027 Volkswagen Taos vs Volkswagen Tiguan: We Compared the Data
By the CarWhere Vehicle Data Team · Updated November 8, 2026 · how we score
Our pick: the Taos — it leads our weighted scorecard 3–1 across 5 categories, winning on a lower starting price ($26,500 vs $31,205) and deeper real-world discounts (7.8% off MSRP vs 7.1% off MSRP). Choose the Tiguan if you want the most power (268 hp vs 174 hp).
Scorecard: Taos 3 pts · Tiguan 1 pts across 5 scored categories.
The scorecard
| Category (weight) | 2027 Taos | 2027 Tiguan | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (2) | $26,500 | $31,205 | Taos |
| 5-year value retained (1.5) | — | 44.3% | No data |
| Best EPA combined (1.5) | 30 mpg | 29 mpg | Tie |
| Most horsepower available (1) | 174 hp | 268 hp | Tiguan |
| Max towing (1) | — | 1,800 lb | No data |
| Standard seats (1) | 5 | 5 | Tie |
| Median discount verified buyers got (1) | 7.8% off MSRP | 7.1% off MSRP | Taos |
| Recalls, 2023–2025 model years (0.5) | — | 5 | No data |
| Weighted points | 3 | 1 | Taos |
Which one we'd buy, and for whom
- Commuter. Commuters: it's a wash — Taos 30 mpg vs Tiguan 29 mpg (best EPA combined).
- Family. Families: it's a wash — Taos 5 vs Tiguan 5 (standard seats).
- Budget. Tight budgets: the Taos — $26,500 vs $31,205 (starting MSRP). Used, the median asking price is $21,265 for the Taos vs $23,211 for the Tiguan.
Price: sticker and what buyers paid
The Taos starts at $26,500 and tops out at $35,900; the Tiguan runs $31,205 to $43,085 (manufacturer MSRP, before destination). Verified Taos buyers paid a median 7.8% off MSRP across 28 deals; the CarWhere Index target is 9.2% off. Verified Tiguan buyers paid a median 7.1% off MSRP across 52 deals; the CarWhere Index target is 9.3% off. Used, the median asking price is $21,265 for the Taos and $23,211 for the Tiguan (all model years, US dealer listings).
Reliability: NHTSA complaints and recalls
- Taos: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
- Tiguan: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
Latest rated model years on our years-to-avoid pages: Taos 2022 (avoid), 2023 (solid), 2024 (best year).
Complaint rates are owner complaints filed with NHTSA divided by vehicles sold — a federal-data signal, not a survey score.
Specs side by side
| 2027 Taos | 2027 Tiguan | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (base trim) | $26,500 | $31,205 |
| Top-trim MSRP | $35,900 | $43,085 |
| Horsepower | 174 hp | 201–268 hp |
| Max torque | 184 lb-ft | 258 lb-ft |
| EPA combined | 28–30 mpg | 25–29 mpg |
| Max towing | — | 1,800 lb |
| Max payload | 937 lb | 1,003 lb |
| Seats (standard / max) | 5 / 5 | 5 / 5 |
Automaker-published figures; EPA ratings from fueleconomy.gov. "—" = not published.
Resale: 5-year value retained
There's no 5-year retention figure for the Taos yet. A 5-year-old (2021) Tiguan lists for a median $17,495 — 44.3% of today's median new price of $39,534.
Shop both
- See 5,738 new 2027 Volkswagen Taos for sale →Median listed price $32,677 · updated Nov 7, 2026
- See 2,878 new 2027 Volkswagen Tiguans for sale →Median listed price $40,587 · updated Nov 7, 2026
Negotiating either one?
CarWhere PRO ($12.99/mo) shows the 75th-percentile target price for your exact trim and zip, comparable nearby deals, and an AI quote analyzer. See PRO → · Checking a specific used one? The $9.99 Full VIN Report covers the federal record + original window sticker.
More on the Volkswagen Taos
More on the Volkswagen Tiguan
Related head-to-heads
FAQ
Is the Taos better than the Tiguan?
On our data, yes. Our pick: the Taos — it leads our weighted scorecard 3–1 across 5 categories, winning on a lower starting price ($26,500 vs $31,205) and deeper real-world discounts (7.8% off MSRP vs 7.1% off MSRP). Choose the Tiguan if you want the most power (268 hp vs 174 hp).
Which is more reliable, the Taos or the Tiguan?
We only rank reliability by NHTSA complaints per 1,000 vehicles sold, and that rate isn't available for both models yet.
Which holds its value better, the Taos or the Tiguan?
We don't have a 5-year retention figure for both models.
Which is cheaper, the Taos or the Tiguan?
The Taos starts lower: $26,500 vs $31,205 starting MSRP (before destination). Verified buyers paid a median 7.8% off MSRP on the Taos (28 deals) and 7.1% on the Tiguan (52 deals).
Which has better gas mileage, the Taos or the Tiguan?
It's a wash: 30 mpg vs 29 mpg best EPA combined.
How we score
Each category compares one published number per model and counts only when both models have it. The winner earns the category weight; results inside the tie band earn nothing. Our pick has more weighted points; level points fall back to more category wins, then the reliability winner, then the price winner.
- Starting MSRP: lower wins; tie within 3%.
- NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold: lower wins; tie within 15%.
- 5-year value retained: higher wins; tie within 2 points.
- Best EPA combined: higher wins; tie within 1 mpg (3 MPGe).
- Most horsepower available: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Max towing: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Cargo behind rear seats: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Standard seats: higher wins; tie same count.
- Median discount verified buyers got: higher wins; tie within 0.5 points.
- Recalls, 2023–2025 model years: lower wins; tie within 1.
Towing weighs 2 for pickups and 1 otherwise; seating is only scored between SUVs and minivans, using standard (never optional) seats. Sources: automaker spec pages and order guides; EPA ratings (fueleconomy.gov); NHTSA owner complaints and recall campaigns against published US sales; median used asking prices across active US dealer listings from licensed vehicle-data providers; verified buyer-submitted deal sheets for discounts.
Cite this page: CarWhere, "2027 Volkswagen Taos vs Volkswagen Tiguan: We Compared the Data," carwhere.com/compare-cars/volkswagen-taos-vs-volkswagen-tiguan, updated November 8, 2026.