VW Rolls Out More Powerful Taos for 2025

Volkswagen’s enjoying strong results in 2024, buoyed largely by their lineup of SUVs. Hoping to keep the good times rolling, VW updated with 2025 Taos with more horsepower, an updated dashboard and some exterior tweaks to keep the overall look fresh.

The company wants to keep the ute’s reputation as a fun to drive, affordable vehicle while attracting young buyers. That consumer set craves the latest in technology and wants a versatile, useful vehicle.

It’s tough to sell an ugly, drab vehicle. Fortunately, the Taos enjoys a modern, contemporary look that ages well. Although the exterior look simple and clean, it did get a freshening for 2025 with a new bumper design, a new grille with an available light bar as well as standard LED projector headlights.

Attention getter

The goal was to make the front end more “expressive,” officials noted. Similar updates carried over to the rear, including connected taillights and an illuminated Volkswagen badge at the rear add to the distinctive, upscale appearance of the 2025 Taos.

Plus, the company added three new colors for buyers to choose from: Bright Moss Green, Monterey Blue Pearl, and Monument Gray.

New wheel offerings include new 17-inch aluminum alloys for front-wheel drive S models, 18-inch alloys for the front-wheel drive SE, and 19-inch wheels for SEL.

The SE Black trim, introduced for 2024, continues with a black roof, trim, and unique wheels—18 inches for front-wheel-drive models and 19 inches for 4Motion all-wheel-drive models.

More power

Perhaps the change buyers will notice most is the updated 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder under the hood. The outgoing version put out 158 horsepower. However, engineers updated the piston rings and fuel injectors. They also modified the turbo housing, added a larger intercooler and a new gasoline particulate filiter.

The result is a jump to 174 hp, which is now funneled through an 8-speed automatic transmission. That transmission replaces the 7-speed dual-clutch automaker on 4Motion models. Yes, all-wheel drive is still an option the S, SE and SE Black trims. It’s standard on SEL models.

More VW Stories

• Road Test Review – 2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI and Jetta Sport – Value and Performance Reign Supreme
• Volkswagen Promises Upcoming GTI EV Will Be More Exciting To Drive
• Volkswagen’s Reborn Microvan, the IDH.Buzz, Will Start at $61,545

More technology

VW installed a new dashboard for the 2025 model year, including an 8-inch floating infotainment screen in all versions of the new Taos.

The company also makes the touch controls for the Climatronic climate control system starting with the SE trim level now. It was available only on the SEL last year.

The company’s IQ.Drive suite of safety tech also boasts a few updates for the new year.

It includes Travel Assist (semi-automated driving assistance); Front Assist (Forward Collision Warning and Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Monitoring); Active Blind Spot Monitor; Rear Traffic Alert; Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) Stop and Go; Lane Assist (Lane Keeping System); and Emergency Assist (semi-automated vehicle assistance in a medical emergency).

Front and rear Park Distance Control are now also available and helps provide guidance when parking or in tight spaces.

Improving results

The German automaker’s worked diligently to round out its SUV lineup to keep up with competitors and the work appears to be paying off. Officials noted in a conference call with journalists that is sales were up 26% through the first six months of the year. Sport-utilities and crossovers comprised 77.3% of those vehicles.

Taos sales specifically are up 19% during the period and it’s the company’s fourth bestselling nameplate, right along with Atlas. VW expects to sell about 60,000 of the compact SUVs this year.

Officials confirmed the new model will hit U.S. dealership by the end of this year, but declined to reveal pricing on the new model. The 2024 version starts at $23,995 plus a $1,425 destination charge.