2026 Volkswagen Taos vs. Subaru Crosstrek Comparison with Price, Specs, & Photos

It takes a lot to make a small SUV that stands out from the competition, one that delivers on performance, versatility, and value for money all at the same time. The Volkswagen Taos manages to achieve all of these things, but in such a crowded market segment, that might not be quite as obvious. To demonstrate just how good the Taos really is, we’re comparing it to the Subaru Crosstrek, which attracts a lot of attention thanks to the value-conscious inclusion of standard all-wheel drive.

Volkswagen Taos VS Subaru Crosstrek

2026 Volkswagen Taos S AWD	VS	2026 Subaru Crosstrek Base
$28,200	MSRP	$26,995
174 HP / 184 LB-FT TQ	Horsepower / Torque	180 HP / 178 LB-FT TQ
8-speed automatic ✓	Transmission	CVT
24.9 cubic feet ✓	Rear Cargo Area	19.9 cubic feet
18-inch ✓	Wheels	17-inch
Standard ✓	Heated Side Mirrors	Requires higher trim
Standard ✓	Heated Front Seats	Requires higher trim
6 ✓	Speakers	4
48 months / 50,000 miles ✓	Basic Warranty Coverage	36 months / 36,000 miles
24 months / 20,000 miles ✓	Included Routine Maintenance	None

We’re using the base trims of each vehicle here, since such similar starting prices make it easier to show what that money gets you from each brand. We have also selected the optional AWD for the Taos, so this is as apples-to-apples as possible. Power is nearly identical; the Crosstrek has six more horsepower while the Taos has six more pounds-feet of torque. But the way that power is utilized is different, since the Taos comes with an advanced 8-speed automatic transmission, and the Subaru comes with a CVT. Traditional automatics give you more engaging driving dynamics and more consistent performance; they also tend to be more reliable. You can fit more in the back of the Taos, which is especially important when talking about compact vehicles like these.

In order to keep starting prices low while still offering standard all-wheel drive, Subaru goes to unusual extremes to strip equipment from the base trims of the model lineup. This includes too many features to name here, but some of the more popular features that are standard on the Taos aren’t even available on the Crosstrek base trim include things like 18-inch wheels, heated side mirrors, and heated front seats, all of which require a trim upgrade for the Subaru. Even the number of speakers, which comes in at six for the Taos and most of the higher trims of the Crosstrek, is reduced to four for the base trim of the Crosstrek. Even warranty coverage from Subaru is unremarkable, offering three years to Volkswagen’s four. Volkswagen also throws in your first two years of routine maintenance with the cost of the Taos, a big improvement over the nothing that comes with the Crosstrek.