Kia Niro vs Volkswagen Taos
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2026 Volkswagen Taos
Overview
| Spec | Kia NiroLX | Volkswagen TaosS |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | LX | S |
| Body style | SUV | SUV |
| Drivetrain | front wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Fuel type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| Transmission | 6-speed automatic | 8-speed shiftable automatic |
| Engine type | hybrid | gas |
| Model year | 2026 | 2026 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | Kia NiroLX | Volkswagen TaosS |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $27,090 | $26,500 (best) |
| Lowest listing price | $24,000 | $16,427 (best) |
| Median listing price | $30,310 (best) | $30,487 |
| Highest listing price | $33,945 (best) | $38,536 |
| For sale now | 34 | 98 (best) |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Kia NiroLX | Volkswagen TaosS |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 53 MPG (best) | 31 MPG |
| City MPG | 53 MPG (best) | 28 MPG |
| Highway MPG | 54 MPG (best) | 36 MPG |
| Fuel tank | 11 gal | 13.2 gal (best) |
Performance
| Spec | Kia NiroLX | Volkswagen TaosS |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 139 hp | 174 hp (best) |
| Torque | 195 lb-ft (best) | 184 lb-ft |
| Engine size | 1.6 L (best) | 1.5 L |
| Cylinders | I4 | I4 |
Size & capability
| Spec | Kia NiroLX | Volkswagen TaosS |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Cargo volume | — | 65.9 cu ft (best) |
| Payload | — | 937 lbs (best) |
| Curb weight | 3,071 lbs (best) | 3,201 lbs |
| Ground clearance | 6 in | 6.5 in (best) |
| Wheelbase | 107 in (best) | 105.9 in |
| Length | 174 in | 175.9 in (best) |
| Width | 72 in | 72.5 in (best) |
| Height | 61 in | 64.5 in (best) |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Kia NiroLX | Volkswagen TaosS |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA overall | 4 / 5 ★ | 4 / 5 ★ |
| Frontal crash (driver) | 4 / 5 ★ | 4 / 5 ★ |
| Frontal crash (passenger) | 4 / 5 ★ | 4 / 5 ★ |
| Side crash (driver) | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Side crash (passenger) | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Side pole | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Rollover | 4 / 5 ★ | 4 / 5 ★ |
| Open recalls (YMM scope) | None reported (best) | 1 |
Highlighted values indicate the better figure for that spec when a clear winner exists. Specs reflect the selected trim for each vehicle. Drag a vehicle header to reorder columns. MSRP and specifications are manufacturer data; listing prices and inventory come from live dealer listings. Safety ratings are from NHTSA.
Trim overview
All available trims with MSRP. The trim selected above is highlighted; comparison specs use that selection.
| Trim | Kia Niro | Volkswagen Taos |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | LX $27,090 MSRP(Currently comparing) | S $26,500 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | EX $29,890 MSRP | S $28,200 MSRP |
| 3 | SX $33,090 MSRP | SE $29,260 MSRP |
| 4 | SX Touring $35,490 MSRP | SE $30,960 MSRP |
| 5 | — | SE Black $31,510 MSRP |
| 6 | — | SE Black $33,210 MSRP |
| 7 | — | SEL $35,900 MSRP |
Live inventory
Kia Niro34 for sale
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Used2024 Kia Niro
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Snow White Pearl•Charcoal10,434 mi$32,485Lehighton Kia
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New2026 Kia Niro
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Aurora Black Pearl•CharcoalN/A$27,815Cape & Islands Kia South Yarmouth
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Volkswagen Taos98 for sale
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Used2022 Volkswagen Taos
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Cornflower Blue•Gray46,905 mi$23,275Middleton Ford
Middleton, WI
New2026 Volkswagen Taos
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Deep Black Pearl•Black Cloudtex Leatherett10 mi$30,265Lou Sobh Volkswagen of Athens
Bogart, GA
New2026 Volkswagen Taos
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Deep Black Pearl•Black Cloudtex Leatherett15 mi$30,169Lou Sobh Volkswagen of Athens
Bogart, GA
New2026 Volkswagen Taos
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Pure White•Gray15 mi$31,541Lou Sobh Volkswagen of Athens
Bogart, GA
New2026 Volkswagen Taos
1.5T SE
Monument Gray•Black Cloudtex Leatherett15 mi$31,638Lou Sobh Volkswagen of Athens
Bogart, GA
New2026 Volkswagen Taos
1.5T SE Black
Pure White w/Deep Black Roof•Black Cloudtex Leatherett15 mi$32,348Lou Sobh Volkswagen of Athens
Bogart, GA
Kia Niro vs Volkswagen Taos FAQ
- Which is better: 2026 Kia Niro or 2026 Volkswagen Taos?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2026 Kia Niro vs 2026 Volkswagen Taos on MSRP, fuel economy, horsepower, seating, towing, NHTSA safety ratings, and live market prices so you can weigh the tradeoffs.
- Which costs less: 2026 Kia Niro or 2026 Volkswagen Taos?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2026 Volkswagen Taos starts lower at $26,500. Live Kia Niro listings start at $24,000. Live Volkswagen Taos listings start at $16,427.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2026 Kia Niro or 2026 Volkswagen Taos?
- The 2026 Volkswagen Taos leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (26,500).
- Which has better combinedMpg: 2026 Kia Niro or 2026 Volkswagen Taos?
- The 2026 Kia Niro leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (53).
- Which has better horsepower: 2026 Kia Niro or 2026 Volkswagen Taos?
- The 2026 Volkswagen Taos leads on horsepower in this comparison (174).
- How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2026 Kia Niro vs 2026 Volkswagen Taos?
- NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Kia Niro (4/5 NHTSA overall); Volkswagen Taos (4/5 NHTSA overall).