Volkswagen Taos vs. Tiguan: Which Volkswagen SUV Is Right for You?

Compact SUVs are highly popular in today’s car market. Volkswagen offers two exceptional contenders: the Taos and the Tiguan. Both SUVs offer a winning combination of practicality and fuel efficiency. The Taos, Volkswagen’s newest addition in North America, has quickly replaced the popular Golf as the brand’s starter hatchback due to its spaciousness. The Taos and Tiguan each cater to different preferences. In this article, we compare these vehicles to see what makes them unique, helping you choose the one that best suits your lifestyle.

Size and Exterior Design

The Volkswagen Taos and Tiguan each boast a unique appearance. The Taos is 64.4 inches high and 175.8 inches long, presenting a compact, contemporary appearance, which is ideal for city driving, where you need enhanced handling and maneuverability. The Tiguan is larger at 66.5 inches high, 185.1 inches long, and 72.5 inches wide, giving it a more traditional SUV appearance.

Both vehicles allow you to customize the wheels and colors to your preferences. The Taos may appeal to you if you commute daily or have a small family. If you want more space and command attention on the road, you may prefer the larger SUV.

Performance and Powertrain

In terms of performance, the Taos and Tiguan offer distinct driving experiences. The Taos has a 1.5-liter four-cylinder turbo engine, which delivers 158 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. This engine is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission in the front-wheel-drive models, while the all-wheel-drive versions feature a seven-speed direct shift gearbox. The Tiguan has a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 184 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque.

The Taos is exceptionally fuel-efficient, getting an EPA-estimated 28 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway. The Tiguan gets 24 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway and can tow up to 1,500 pounds.

Both these vehicles are available in front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The Taos excels in urban environments, offering agile handling and quick acceleration. It’s also easy to park because of its size. The Tiguan has more power, which is suitable for long trips on the highway. It can also handle some light off-road driving.

Interior Features and Comfort

The Volkswagen Taos and Tiguan reveal distinct interior layouts catering to diverse needs. While the Taos comfortably seats five, the Tiguan offers flexibility with an optional third row, accommodating up to seven passengers. The Taos offers 65.9 cubic feet of cargo space, while the Tiguan provides 73.4 cubic feet.

Both vehicles offer a responsive 8-inch touch screen for navigation and connectivity, as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration. Several USB-C ports keep your devices charged on the go.

The Tiguan offers heated seats for enhanced comfort, as well as the smart IQ.DRIVE system. Both models offer a choice between cloth and leather seats, as well as sufficient passenger space.

Although only the Tiguan offers dual-zone climate control, both SUVs have a large sunroof in higher trims, allowing in plenty of natural light.

Safety Features and Ratings

The Taos and Tiguan both offer the latest driver-assistance systems, including backup assist, lane departure warning, and rear parking sensors. Other systems include lane-keep assist, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.

The Tiguan offers additional features, such as front parking sensors, Volkswagen Car-Net services, and an SOS system for emergencies.

The Taos excelled in crash tests, earning high scores from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in numerous areas. It received Good ratings in key tests such as small overlap front on the driver side, moderate overlap front, side impact, and roof strength. The passenger-side small overlap front and head restraints and seats received Acceptable ratings.

Both vehicles offer advanced driver-assistance systems on higher versions, including smart cruise control and automatic emergency braking, as well as air bags throughout the cabin.

Price and Value Proposition

The base trim of the Volkswagen Taos starts at an affordable MSRP of $23,995, while the Tiguan starts at $28,880, increasing for higher trims.

Volkswagen offers solid warranties for both SUVs. These include bumper-to-bumper coverage for four years or 50,000 miles and two years or 20,000 miles of worry-free maintenance. Although the five-year maintenance costs for these SUVs are similar, the Taos may save you more money due to its smaller engine.

Experience the Volkswagen Taos and Tiguan at Lokey Volkswagen Today

The Volkswagen Taos and Tiguan offer different strengths. With its smooth design and impressive gas mileage, the Taos is ideal if you’re looking for style and efficiency. The Tiguan features a roomy interior and additional rear seating. This makes it perfect for larger groups or families. If you’re in the Clearwater, Florida, area, we invite you to visit Lokey Volkswagen to experience these exceptional vehicles firsthand. Our friendly team will walk you through their features to help you decide which one is perfect for your lifestyle. Contact us today to schedule a test drive.