Volkswagen Taos trim levels explained

By CarWhere Research · Updated

The 2027 Volkswagen Taos has five trims: S ($26,500), Sport ($27,400), SE ($29,290), SE Black ($31,540) and SEL ($35,900), before destination. All use a 174-hp 1.5L turbo four. Front-drive models have an 8-speed automatic; 4Motion AWD, $1,700 on lower trims and standard on SEL, uses what VW’s builder lists as an 8-speed DSG.

Current Taos trim levels: Taos, current

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.[1][2]

Volkswagen Taos Taos, current trims in ladder order with 2027 model-year base MSRP (USD), engines and key standard equipment
TrimBase MSRP (2027, USD)EnginesKey standard equipment
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
  • IQ.DRIVE
  • Heated leatherette steering wheel
  • VW Digital Cockpit
[1][2]
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
  • Blacked-out grille, gunmetal trim
  • 18-inch black alloys
  • Cloth seats with yellow stitching
[1][2]
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
  • Dual-zone Climatronic
  • CloudTex and cloth seats
  • 18-inch alloys, front and rear Park Distance Control
[1][2]
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
  • Black roof, mirror caps and wheels
  • Grille light bar
  • Panoramic sunroof
[1][2]
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
  • Digital Cockpit Pro
  • Leather seats, VW Premium Audio
  • 19-inch alloys
[1][2]

MSRP excludes destination unless noted. "—" means we could not confirm the price from a Volkswagen pricing source.

Related Taos research

See which trim and packages a Taos was built with.

Trim names 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 are the 2027 Taos trim levels?

S, Sport, SE, SE Black and SEL, from $26,500 to $35,900 before destination.

Does the Taos come with all-wheel drive?

4Motion AWD costs $1,700 on S, Sport, SE and SE Black and is standard on the SEL.

How much horsepower does the Taos have?

The 2027 Taos makes 174 hp and 184 lb-ft from a 1.5L turbo four.

What transmission does the Taos use?

Front-drive Taos models use an 8-speed automatic. VW’s builder lists 2027 4Motion versions with an 8-speed DSG, while EPA classifies that transmission as an 8-speed automatic; EPA listed 2023–2024 4Motion models with a 7-speed dual-clutch.

Sources

Prices and equipment are as published by Volkswagen for the model year shown; trim content changes between model years, so confirm a specific vehicle against its original paperwork or build sheet.

  1. Volkswagen Build & Price: current trims, starting MSRPs and key features (accessed Nov 5, 2026) — Volkswagen of America (vw.com)
  2. 2027 Volkswagen Taos model page — Volkswagen of America (vw.com)

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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.