Key Features of the 2026 Volkswagen Taos

4Motion® all-wheel drive with Active Control

The Taos available 4Motion® all-wheel-drive system is engineered to anticipate traction needs and engage the rear axle in fractions of a second, directing torque where it is needed up to 50 percent to the rear. Under lighter loads, it decouples the rear axle to help conserve fuel, then seamlessly re-engages when conditions call for more grip. Active Control pairs with 4Motion® to tailor the vehicle for Snow, On-Road, Off-Road, and Off-Road Custom settings. Within On-Road, you can fine-tune responses with Normal, Sport, Comfort, and Individual, adjusting parameters for the engine, transmission, steering, and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC). Electronic differential locks and the ESC system work laterally to maintain stability by braking a slipping wheel to move power across the axle. It all adds up to a compact SUV that adapts to your day—wet commutes, gravel roads, and snowy errands—with confidence and composure.

IQ.DRIVE® advanced driver assistance technology

Standard on every Taos, IQ.DRIVE® uses radar, camera, and ultrasonic sensors to help make driving more intuitive. Travel Assist offers hands-on semi-automated driving capability from 0 to 95 mph, utilizing ACC and Lane Assist to help steer, accelerate, and brake while you remain engaged. Front Assist includes Forward Collision Warning and Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Monitoring. Active Blind Spot Monitor and Rear Traffic Alert support confident lane changes and backing, while Lane Assist helps you maintain course on well-marked roads. Emergency Assist can bring the vehicle to a controlled stop if it detects driver incapacitation. Light Assist is also standard, automating high beam usage for better visibility on dark roads. These systems do not replace attentive driving, but they help reduce fatigue and support safer decision-making all day long.

Digital Cockpit and connected infotainment

Every Taos features a crisp, floating 8-inch infotainment display that anchors the cabin’s modern aesthetic. Wireless App-Connect integrates CarPlay® and Android Auto™ so your smartphone functions feel native to the vehicle, with Bluetooth® and USB-C fast charging keeping devices powered and paired. The standard Volkswagen Digital Cockpit puts key info directly in your line of sight—S trims receive an 8-inch display with customizable widgets, while SE and SEL models get the 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro with multiple views, including full-screen native navigation where equipped. SE adds Composition Media with Voice Control and SiriusXM® with 360L (trial), plus wireless charging. SEL models layer in embedded navigation and, for 2026, a Volkswagen Premium Audio system with eight speakers for rich, balanced sound. The result is an interface that is fast, familiar, and thoughtfully integrated.

Spacious cabin design and flexible cargo

The Taos leverages Volkswagen’s MQB platform to deliver a cabin that feels larger than its footprint suggests. With 99.5 cubic feet of passenger volume, both rows enjoy excellent space, including 40.1 inches of front legroom and 37.9 inches in the rear. Cargo capacity is generous as well—front-wheel-drive models offer 27.9 cu ft behind the second row and 65.9 cu ft with seats folded; 4Motion® models provide 24.9 cu ft and 60.2 cu ft respectively. The redesigned dash presents upscale materials and clean lines, with décor that varies by trim. Upholstery ranges from two-tone cloth on S to CloudTex and cloth on SE and SE Black, and leather seating surfaces on SEL with an available dark blue theme. A panoramic sunroof is standard on SEL and optional on SE, and SEL models add a 10-color LED ambient lighting system to set the mood.

Powertrain finesse: 1.5-liter TSI® turbo and eight-speed automatic

The Taos powertrain has been thoughtfully refined, with its 1.5-liter EA211 TSI® turbocharged engine rated at 174 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. Hardware updates like revised piston rings and injectors, a modified turbo housing, a larger intercooler, and a gasoline particulate filter contribute to smooth, responsive output. The engine’s modified Miller cycle and up to 11.5:1 compression emphasize efficiency without dulling performance. An eight-speed automatic with a Sport mode is standard across FWD and AWD models, delivering unobtrusive shifts and confident merging. On AWD models, Driving Mode Selection offers Normal, Sport, and Individual so you can tailor steering heft and throttle response. The result is power you can count on, fine-tuned for quiet competence in daily life.