Volkswagen’s smallest crossover is getting a brand new face and a brand new transmission for 2025. The Volkswagen Taos trades its huge grille for one thing that appears a bit of extra Vee Dub to us, its 1.5L turbo-four will get larger horsepower, and the often-maligned dual-clutch DSG is changed by a traditional computerized.
There are some helpful content material modifications too, however there’s nothing right here that can rock the subcompact crossover world.
2025 Volkswagen Taos Seems Extra Costly
The massive grille on the 2024 and older Taos was not one in all VW’s higher designs. It got here from a time when the model’s different small fashions, just like the Jetta and Tiguan, had been additionally a bit ungainly.
For 2025, it will get a a lot smaller opening that sits decrease within the nostril atop a second bigger grille. Very like the 2025 Jetta, it’s extra like older VW fashions, these from the 2000s and early 2010s.
Total, it makes the Taos appear like it prices greater than it does, particularly since adaptive LED headlights are actually customary, and the tail will get a full-width LED mild just like the bigger Atlas. Mix that with some new paint colours, new wheels, and even some new cabin colours, and the Taos is instantly way more enticing than earlier than.
Extra Energy, No Extra Clunky DSG
Engine updates and a brand new transmission ought to make it extra enticing as soon as VW lures consumers inside with the brand new panels. The 1.5L turbo-four has a brand new intercooler and different new components to make 174 horsepower as an alternative of the 158 it made in 2024.
All-wheel drive fashions dump the seven-speed DSG dual-clutch transmission in favor of a traditional eight-speed computerized. VW USA says clients right here didn’t just like the DSG’s “sportiness,” a minimum of not in fashions like this. It may very well be tough and clunky in regular driving, and the brand new field ought to be significantly better suited to the small crossover’s potential buyer base.
The DSG will stay in Jetta GLI and Golf GTI/Golf R fashions, the place consumers choose what VW calls “extra responsiveness.” Entrance-drive fashions already got here with the auto and received’t change.
New Infotainment, Extra Options on Decrease Trims
Very like the design and engine modifications, the cabin modifications are small however helpful. The prevailing display built-in into the sprint is changed by one which “floats” in entrance of it. The display isn’t as fairly, nevertheless it does get new {hardware} and software program that ought to enhance its operate.
SE grade fashions and better get adaptive entrance lighting for his or her LED lamps. The system steers the lights into corners. SE can be the start line for VW’s Climatronic dual-zone local weather management system that makes use of touch-sensitive sliders as an alternative of dials. The final large function change is the addition of entrance and rear parking sensors to SE grades and better.
VW didn’t have pricing for the brand new Taos, which can arrive at sellers by the tip of the 12 months. That mentioned, we’re not anticipating large modifications. If it’s something just like the Jetta, costs can be up lower than $1,000, that means the S ought to begin for $25k, and an SEL ought to are available at underneath $35k.
