2025 Volkswagen Taos

The 2025 Volkswagen Taos is refreshed and receives a variety of updates to distinguish it from last year's model. While its revised exterior styling is the most noticeable update (the full-width LED bar is immediately recognizable at night), what's going on under the hood makes the biggest difference. The turbocharged four-cylinder engine gets a 16-horsepower bump to 174 hp, no doubt improving what was already respectable acceleration. More importantly, though, VW dumped the herky-jerky dual-clutch transmission that was paired with all-wheel drive in favor of a conventional automatic. Changes inside include a bigger standard touchscreen, upgraded materials, and a handful of styling enhancements. We're not sold on the new touch-sensitive climate control panel, but mercifully, the touchscreen interface remains one of VW's older, more user-friendly units.

Given the Taos' spacious interior and vaguely outdoorsy vibe, the Subaru Crosstrek is a good alternative to consider. It's not as quick or spacious, but it has greater capability off the beaten path, with more ground clearance and standard all-wheel drive. For those who are looking to maximize value and are OK sticking with front-wheel drive, the Chevrolet Trax and Buick Envista mechanical twins are both well-rounded alternatives in their own right. Finally, if performance, style and technology are priorities, the turbocharged Mazda CX-30 is a smart choice.