Subaru Crosstrek vs Volkswagen Taos
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2026 Volkswagen Taos
Overview
| Spec | Subaru CrosstrekBase | Volkswagen TaosS |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | Base | S |
| Body style | SUV | SUV |
| Drivetrain | all wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Fuel type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| Transmission | continuously variable-speed automatic | 8-speed shiftable automatic |
| Engine type | gas | gas |
| Model year | 2027 | 2026 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | Subaru CrosstrekBase | Volkswagen TaosS |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $26,995 | $26,500 (best) |
| Lowest listing price | $18,498 | $16,427 (best) |
| Median listing price | $31,325 | $30,544 (best) |
| Highest listing price | $39,337 | $38,536 (best) |
| For sale now | 89 | 100 (best) |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Subaru CrosstrekBase | Volkswagen TaosS |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 29 MPG | 31 MPG (best) |
| City MPG | 26 MPG | 28 MPG (best) |
| Highway MPG | 33 MPG | 36 MPG (best) |
| Fuel tank | 16.6 gal (best) | 13.2 gal |
Performance
| Spec | Subaru CrosstrekBase | Volkswagen TaosS |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 180 hp (best) | 174 hp |
| Torque | 178 lb-ft | 184 lb-ft (best) |
| Engine size | 2.5 L (best) | 1.5 L |
| Cylinders | flat 4 | I4 |
Size & capability
| Spec | Subaru CrosstrekBase | Volkswagen TaosS |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Cargo volume | 19.9 cu ft | 65.9 cu ft (best) |
| Towing capacity | 1,500 lbs (best) | — |
| Payload | — | 937 lbs (best) |
| Curb weight | 3,296 lbs | 3,201 lbs (best) |
| Ground clearance | — | 6.5 in (best) |
| Wheelbase | 105.1 in | 105.9 in (best) |
| Length | 176.4 in (best) | 175.9 in |
| Width | 70.9 in | 72.5 in (best) |
| Height | 62.8 in | 64.5 in (best) |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Subaru CrosstrekBase | Volkswagen TaosS |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA overall | — | 4 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Frontal crash (driver) | — | 4 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Frontal crash (passenger) | — | 4 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Side crash (driver) | — | 5 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Side crash (passenger) | — | 5 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Side pole | — | 5 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Rollover | — | 4 / 5 ★ (best) |
| 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 | Subaru Crosstrek | Volkswagen Taos |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Base $26,995 MSRP(Currently comparing) | S $26,500 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | Premium $27,995 MSRP | S $28,200 MSRP |
| 3 | Limited $32,995 MSRP | SE $29,260 MSRP |
| 4 | Wilderness $33,795 MSRP | SE $30,960 MSRP |
| 5 | Sport Hybrid $33,995 MSRP | SE Black $31,510 MSRP |
| 6 | Limited Hybrid $35,995 MSRP | SE Black $33,210 MSRP |
| 7 | — | SEL $35,900 MSRP |
Live inventory
Subaru Crosstrek89 for sale
See all
Used2025 Subaru Crosstrek
Base
Ice Silver Metallic•Gray27,482 mi$24,487Clay Cooley Mitsubishi Arlington
Arlington, TX
Used2018 Subaru Crosstrek
2.0i Limited
Cool Gray Khaki•Black67,682 mi$19,079Volvo Cars Marin of San Rafael
San Rafael, CA
New2026 Subaru Crosstrek
Premium
Lithium Red Pearl•Black8 mi$31,325Gallatin Subaru Bozeman
Bozeman, MT
New2026 Subaru Crosstrek
Premium
Ice Silver Metallic•Black8 mi$31,325Gallatin Subaru Bozeman
Bozeman, MT
New2026 Subaru Crosstrek
Limited
Ice Silver Metallic•Gray W/Orange Stitch13 mi$37,730Gallatin Subaru Bozeman
Bozeman, MT
Used2023 Subaru Crosstrek
Premium
Magnetite Gray Metallic•Gray W/Orange Stitching38,003 mi$25,304Fred Anderson Toyota of Asheville
Asheville, NC
Volkswagen Taos100 for sale
See all
New2026 Volkswagen Taos
1.5T SE
Deep Black Pearl•Black Cloudtex Leatherett10 mi$30,265Lou Sobh Volkswagen of Athens
Bogart, GA
New2026 Volkswagen Taos
1.5T SE
Deep Black Pearl•Black Cloudtex Leatherett15 mi$30,169Lou Sobh Volkswagen of Athens
Bogart, GA
New2026 Volkswagen Taos
1.5T SE
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
New2026 Volkswagen Taos
1.5T SE
Pyrite Silver Metallic•Black Cloudtex Leatherett15 mi$31,297Lou Sobh Volkswagen of Athens
Bogart, GA
Subaru Crosstrek vs Volkswagen Taos FAQ
- Which is better: 2027 Subaru Crosstrek or 2026 Volkswagen Taos?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2027 Subaru Crosstrek 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: 2027 Subaru Crosstrek or 2026 Volkswagen Taos?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2026 Volkswagen Taos starts lower at $26,500. Live Subaru Crosstrek listings start at $18,498. Live Volkswagen Taos listings start at $16,427.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2027 Subaru Crosstrek or 2026 Volkswagen Taos?
- The 2026 Volkswagen Taos leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (26,500).
- Which has better combinedMpg: 2027 Subaru Crosstrek or 2026 Volkswagen Taos?
- The 2027 Subaru Crosstrek leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (36).
- Which has better horsepower: 2027 Subaru Crosstrek or 2026 Volkswagen Taos?
- The 2027 Subaru Crosstrek leads on horsepower in this comparison (194).
- Which has better maxTowingLbs: 2027 Subaru Crosstrek or 2026 Volkswagen Taos?
- The 2027 Subaru Crosstrek leads on maxTowingLbs in this comparison (3,500).
- How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2027 Subaru Crosstrek vs 2026 Volkswagen Taos?
- NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Volkswagen Taos (4/5 NHTSA overall).