2025 Volkswagen Taos vs. the Competition

The Volkswagen Taos stands head and shoulders above the competition. An outstanding value that’s both practical and seriously well equipped. But to really appreciate what a standout the Taos actually is, we need to see how some of the more popular competitors stack up to it. We think you’ll agree that the Taos is the clear choice.

Volkswagen Taos VS Nissan Kicks

2025 Volkswagen Taos S	VS	2025 Nissan Kicks S
$24,995	MSRP*	$21,830
174 HP / 184 LB-FT TQ	Horsepower / Torque	141 HP / 140 LB-FT
8-speed automatic	Transmission	CVT
17 inches	Wheel Size	16 inches
Aluminum	Wheel Construction	Steel with hubcaps
6	Speakers	4
Standard	Heated Steering Wheel	Requires higher trim
Standard	Rain-Sensing Wipers	Not Available
Standard	Ventilated Front Seats	Optional
Standard	Semi-Autonomous Driving	Optional
24 months / 20,000 miles	Included Maintenance	None

First, we’re looking at the Nissan Kicks, which manages to be popular in spite of its name thanks to the fairly low starting price. But it doesn’t take long to see why it’s cheaper. For starters, it produces noticeably less power, even though the 2.0-liter engine is bigger than the 1.5-liter power plant in the Taos. The Kicks also comes with a CVT, which saves some money, but delivers a numb and droning driving experience, especially compared to the sophisticated 8-speed automatic transmission in the Taos. The wheels on the Taos are bigger, which is a nice aesthetic touch, easily superior to the smaller steel wheels with cheap plastic hubcaps that come with the Kicks. On top of that, the wheels on the Taos are aluminum, which saves weight. That’s why, despite being so much more powerful, the Taos also has superior highway fuel economy.

Standard equipment is another big win for the Taos. You get more speakers in the Volkswagen, as well as things like a heated steering wheel, which is even available as an optional extra without upgrading to a higher trim in the Kicks. The minimum cost of a Kicks with a heated steering wheel is over $28,000. Even then, there are other features that aren’t available on the Kicks at all, like rain-sensing wipers, or a semi-autonomous mode for reducing fatigue while driving on the highway, both of which aren’t just available on the Taos, but are standard. Lastly, Volkswagen includes free routine maintenance up to 24 months or 20,000 miles with the purchase of your Taos, handily beating the nothing that Nissan offers.

Volkswagen Taos VS Chevrolet Trailblazer

2025 Volkswagen Taos S	VS	2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer LS
$24,995	MSRP	$23,100
174 HP / 184 LB-FT TQ	Horsepower / Torque	137 HP / 162 LB-FT TQ
8-speed automatic	Transmission	CVT
65.9 cubic feet	Max Cargo Capacity	54.4 cubic feet
Standard	Blind Spot Monitoring	Optional
Standard	Heated Steering Wheel	Requires higher trim
Standard	Adaptive Cruise Control	Requires higher trim
Standard	Rain Sensing Wipers	Not Available
6	Speakers	4
24 months / 20,000 miles	Included Maintenance	12 months / 12,000 miles

Up next is the Chevrolet Trailblazer. While it isn’t Chevrolet’s only subcompact SUV, it is the only one with available all-wheel drive, which the Taos also offers, although here we’re keeping things simple and just comparing base models. The Trailblazer is closer to the Taos in price than the Kicks was, but it remains no closer in the power department. Similarly, the Trailblazer comes with a CVT, fairly common in this segment, but the 8-speed automatic in the Taos still delivers a superior driving experience with no compromise in fuel economy. Cargo space is always at a premium in subcompact models, so it’s important to note that the Taos has more of it, by a surprisingly wide margin.

Standard equipment is a major strength for the Taos once again, starting with blind spot monitoring. The system in the Taos is an active one, making steering adjustments when needed to avoid a collision. This is unusual as a standard feature in this segment, but most vehicles for sale these days at least come with a passive warning system. Not the Trailblazer, though, Chevrolet makes you pay extra for it. Then again, at least it’s available as an individual option; if you want a heated steering wheel or adaptive cruise control, you need to upgrade to a higher trim with the Trailblazer. Rain-sensing wipers are another rare standard feature in this segment, they’re not even always available as an option, as we see with the Trailblazer, but they’re standard on the Taos. Once again, you get more speakers with the Taos, and more included maintenance, although here, Chevrolet at least makes an effort.

Volkswagen Taos VS Honda HR-V

2025 Volkswagen Taos S	VS	2025 Honda HR-V LX
$24,995	MSRP	$25,400
174 HP / 184 LB-FT TQ	Horsepower / Torque	154 HP / 138 LB-FT TQ
28 / 36 / 31	Fuel Economy MPG (city / highway / combined)	26 / 32 / 28
8-speed automatic	Transmission	CVT
65.9 cubic feet	Max Cargo Capacity	55.1 cubic feet
Standard	Blind Spot Monitoring	Requires higher trim
Standard	Rear Collision Warning	Requires higher trim
Standard	Heated Steering Wheel	Not Available
6	Speakers	4
48 months / 50,000 miles	Basic Warranty	36 months / 36,000 miles

Our last comparison is to the Honda HR-V. Small Honda vehicles are always popular, and the HR-V is no exception, but it does seem like this might have gone to Honda’s collective heads a bit, with pricing that is routinely higher than competitors without really making a case for why. The Taos produces more power while simultaneously getting better fuel economy, something that would be difficult for anyone shopping for an HR-V to ignore. Pairing this lackluster power with a CVT just further takes away from the driving experience in the HR-V, which isn’t a problem for the Taos. We can once again see that the Taos has an exceptionally large amount of cargo, while the HR-V is merely average.

The higher starting price on the HR-V seems like it should come with more standard equipment than the Taos, but this base trim doesn’t come with blind spot monitoring or a rear collision warning. And no matter which trim you pick, there’s no heated steering wheel. At this point, it’s probably obvious, but the Taos has a class-leading standard stereo system, and competitors do not. The HR-V doesn’t offer as much complimentary maintenance as the Taos, but just to change things up a bit, we’re taking a look at the basic warranty coverage, where the HR-V also comes up short. Really makes you wonder where all of that extra money goes.

*MSRP excludes destination, taxes, title, other options, and dealer charges and fees. Dealer sets actual price.