Volkswagen Taos model years, specs and prices

By CarWhere Research · Updated November 5, 2026

The Volkswagen Taos is VW's lowest-priced SUV, sold in the US since the 2022 model year and built in Puebla, Mexico. The 2027 Taos costs $26,500 to $35,900 before destination, with a 174-hp, 184 lb-ft 1.5L turbo four. Front-drive models use an 8-speed automatic; VW lists 4MOTION models with an 8-speed DSG.

Type: Two-row compact SUV (FWD or 4MOTION AWD)
Price (MSRP): $26,500–$35,900 (2027 MY) · Starting MSRPs in VW's online builder on Nov 5, 2026, excluding destination. Low = S (FWD); high = SEL (4MOTION standard). 4MOTION adds $1,700 on the S, SE and SE Black.[1]
Powertrains: Taos 1.5T FWD (2027), Taos 1.5T 4MOTION (2027) · 174 hp
Current generation: Taos first generation, 2022–present

2027 Volkswagen Taos price and trims

The 2027 Taos makes 174 hp and adds Sport and SE Black grades between the S, SE and SEL. Front-drive versions use an 8-speed automatic; VW’s builder lists 4Motion versions with an 8-speed DSG.[10][11]

Volkswagen Taos trims with 2027 model-year base MSRP (USD) and powertrains
Trim	MSRP (2027)	Powertrain
S	$26,500Starting MSRP shown in VW's online builder Nov 5, 2026; excludes destination; FWD, 4Motion $28,200	1.5L TSI turbo I-4 (174 hp, 184 lb-ft); FWD 8-speed automatic, 4Motion 8-speed DSG[10][11]
Sport	$27,400Starting MSRP shown in VW's online builder Nov 5, 2026; excludes destination; FWD, 4Motion $29,100	1.5L TSI turbo I-4 (174 hp, 184 lb-ft); FWD 8-speed automatic, 4Motion 8-speed DSG[10][11]
SE	$29,290Starting MSRP shown in VW's online builder Nov 5, 2026; excludes destination; FWD, 4Motion $30,990	1.5L TSI turbo I-4 (174 hp, 184 lb-ft); FWD 8-speed automatic, 4Motion 8-speed DSG[10][11]
SE Black	$31,540Starting MSRP shown in VW's online builder Nov 5, 2026; excludes destination; FWD, 4Motion $33,240	1.5L TSI turbo I-4 (174 hp, 184 lb-ft); FWD 8-speed automatic, 4Motion 8-speed DSG[10][11]
SEL	$35,900Starting MSRP shown in VW's online builder Nov 5, 2026; excludes destination; 4Motion standard	1.5L TSI turbo I-4 (174 hp, 184 lb-ft); FWD 8-speed automatic, 4Motion 8-speed DSG[10][11]

Every Taos trim compared, with standard equipment and previous-generation prices →

Volkswagen Taos engines, horsepower and mpg

EPA listed 4MOTION Taos models with a 7-speed transmission for 2022–2024 and an 8-speed from 2025. Output for earlier model years is not listed here.

Volkswagen Taos powertrains with Volkswagen-rated output and EPA fuel economy (city/highway/combined)
Version	Engine	Horsepower	Torque (lb-ft)	Transmission	Drive	EPA mpg (city/hwy/comb)
Taos 1.5T FWD (2027)S, Sport, SE, SE Black	1.5L TSI turbocharged inline-4[2][1][3]	174	184	8-speed automatic	Front-wheel drive	27/35/302027 MY[3]
Taos 1.5T 4MOTION (2027)S, SE, SE Black, SEL	1.5L TSI turbocharged inline-4[2][1][4]	174	184	8-speed DSG (VW builder; EPA lists it as an 8-speed automatic)	4MOTION all-wheel drive	25/33/282027 MY[4]

Output is as rated by Volkswagen; fuel economy is the EPA estimate. "—" means no official figure was found.

2027 Taos: FWD vs 4MOTION

Same 174-hp engine; the drive system also changes the transmission.[1][3][4]

2027 Taos: FWD vs 4MOTION
	FWD	4MOTION
Transmission	8-speed automatic	8-speed automatic
S starting MSRP	$26,500	$28,200
SE starting MSRP	$29,290	$30,990
EPA mpg (city/hwy/comb)	27/35/30	25/33/28

All-wheel drive costs $1,700 and 2 mpg combined.

The 2027 Taos lineup

Five trims are offered for 2027: S ($26,500), Sport ($27,400), SE ($29,290), SE Black ($31,540) and SEL ($35,900). All use the 174-hp 1.5L turbo, and even the S comes with IQ.DRIVE and VW Digital Cockpit.

The Sport adds a blacked-out grille, 18-inch black wheels and black-and-gray cloth with yellow stitching. The SE Black adds a black roof, a light bar in the grille and a panoramic sunroof. The SEL brings leather, 19-inch wheels, Digital Cockpit Pro and standard 4MOTION.[1][2]

FWD vs 4MOTION Taos

Front-drive Taos models use an 8-speed automatic. VW’s builder lists 2027 4MOTION versions with an 8-speed DSG, which EPA classifies as an 8-speed automatic; EPA listed 2023–2024 4MOTION models with a 7-speed dual-clutch. 4MOTION adds $1,700 on the S, Sport, SE and SE Black and is standard on the SEL.

EPA rates the 2027 Taos at 27/35/30 mpg with FWD and 25/33/28 with 4MOTION.[1][2][3][4]

Taos changes by model year

EPA listings show the main mechanical change: 4MOTION versions used a 7-speed transmission for 2022 through 2024 and an 8-speed from 2025. EPA rated the 2022 Taos 4MOTION at 25/32/28 mpg and the 2027 at 25/33/28.

For 2027 VW rates the 1.5L at 174 hp and 184 lb-ft and lists 65.9 cu ft of cargo space with the rear seat folded.[6][7][8][4][2]

Where the Taos is built

VW lists the Taos among the models built at its Puebla, Mexico plant, alongside the Jetta and the long-wheelbase Tiguan.[9]

Volkswagen Taos generations by year

Every US Volkswagen Taos generation with model years and engines, newest first
Generation	US model years	Engines	Notes
Taos first generation	2022–present	1.5L turbo four; FWD 8-speed automatic; 4MOTION 7-speed dual-clutch (2023–2024 per EPA), 8-speed automatic (2025–)	EPA first lists the Taos for the 2022 model year. The 2027 version makes 174 hp and 184 lb-ft and adds Sport and SE Black grades to the S, SE and SEL. EPA rated the 2022 FWD Taos at 28/36/31 mpg and the 2027 FWD model at 27/35/30.[5][6][7][8][2][1][3]

Volkswagen Taos problems and recalls

The Volkswagen Taos, sold since the 2022 model year, has six notable recalls. First-year 2022 models had a fuel line connector that could leak (21V651), an all-wheel-drive stalling software fix and rear suspension knuckles that can corrode. Newer 2025–2026 models are recalled for a fuel pressure sensor that can pull loose in a crash and instrument panel failures.

Documented Volkswagen Taos issues and NHTSA recall campaigns
Issue	Generation	Years	Type
Underhood fuel line connector may come apart (recall 21V651)[12]	Taos (2022 onward)	2022	Recall 21V651
Engine software may stall AWD models at a stop (recall 21V615)[13]	Taos (2022 onward)	2022	Recall 21V615
Rear suspension knuckle may corrode and break (recall 22V176)[14]	Taos (2022 onward)	2022	Recall 22V176
Infotainment memory fault can blank the rear camera (recall 22V514)[15]	Taos (2022 onward)	2022	Recall 22V514
Fuel pressure sensor may pull loose in a crash (recall 26V258)[16]	Taos (2022 onward)	2025–2026	Recall 26V258
Instrument panel may stop showing gauges and warnings (recall 26V185)[17]	Taos (2022 onward)	2025	Recall 26V185

All 6 documented Taos issues and 6 recalls, with symptoms and pre-purchase checks →

What Taos buyers actually paid

MSRP is the starting point, not the transaction price. These CarWhere pages show buyer-reported prices and dealer invoice estimates for the Volkswagen Taos.

More Taos research

See how a Taos was built at the factory.

Trim names and packages on a used listing are not always right. The CarWhere Volkswagen build sheet reconstructs factory colors, options and packages from licensed VIN-level build data — availability is checked free, and it is $9.99 only when detailed build data is found for that VIN.

Volkswagen build sheet by VIN

Frequently asked questions

What year did the VW Taos come out?

The Taos went on sale in the US for the 2022 model year, the first year EPA lists it. It is still in its first generation.

How much is the 2027 VW Taos?

VW's builder lists the 2027 Taos from $26,500 for the S to $35,900 for the SEL, before destination. 4MOTION adds $1,700 on the S, SE and SE Black.

What engine does the Taos have?

A 1.5L turbocharged four rated 174 hp and 184 lb-ft for 2027, with an 8-speed automatic (FWD) or what VW lists as an 8-speed DSG (4MOTION).

What gas mileage does the Taos get?

EPA rates the 2027 Taos at 27 city, 35 highway and 30 combined mpg with FWD, and 25/33/28 mpg with 4MOTION.

Where is the VW Taos made?

At Volkswagen de México in Puebla, which VW says also builds the Jetta and the long-wheelbase Tiguan.

Sources

Prices and output are as published by Volkswagen for the model year shown; fuel economy is from the EPA. Equipment changes between model years, so confirm a specific vehicle against its original paperwork or build sheet.

Volkswagen Build & Price: current trims and starting MSRPs (accessed Nov 5, 2026) — Volkswagen of America (vw.com)
2027 Volkswagen Taos model page — Volkswagen of America (vw.com)
EPA fuel economy: 2027 Volkswagen Taos FWD — fueleconomy.gov (U.S. DOE / EPA)
EPA fuel economy: 2027 Volkswagen Taos 4MOTION — fueleconomy.gov (U.S. DOE / EPA)
EPA fuel economy: 2022 Volkswagen Taos FWD — fueleconomy.gov (U.S. DOE / EPA)
EPA fuel economy: 2022 Volkswagen Taos 4MOTION — fueleconomy.gov (U.S. DOE / EPA)
EPA engine/transmission listing: 2023 Volkswagen Taos 4motion — fueleconomy.gov (U.S. DOE / EPA)
EPA engine/transmission listing: 2025 Volkswagen Taos 4motion — fueleconomy.gov (U.S. DOE / EPA)
Production and locations: Volkswagen de México (Puebla) — Volkswagen AG Newsroom (volkswagen-newsroom.com)
Volkswagen Build & Price: current trims, starting MSRPs and key features (accessed Nov 5, 2026) — Volkswagen of America (vw.com)
2027 Volkswagen Taos model page — Volkswagen of America (vw.com)
Recall 21V651: Fuel Line Connector may Cause Fuel Leak — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
Recall 21V615: Engine Control Unit Software May Cause Stall — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
Recall 22V176: Rear Suspension Knuckle May Break — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
Recall 22V514: Rearview Image May Not Display/FMVSS 111 — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
Recall 26V258: Fuel Tank May Leak After Crash — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
Recall 26V185: Instrument Panel Failure/FMVSS 101 — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)

More Volkswagen tools

Independent reference compiled by CarWhere — not affiliated with or endorsed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. or Volkswagen AG. Volkswagen and the model names are trademarks of their owners.