Some of my regular readers know that 2025 has been particularly challenging for me. I tried to make sense of things through writing. The experience of my sister’s deteriorating health and eventual passing necessitated several last-minute road trips. The Genesis GV80 coupe and Camry XSE both ended up being noble steeds on the trip between D.C. and where I grew up. This Volkswagen Taos arrived on January 29, just four days after I lost Elaine and two days before her funeral. Honestly, I barely took any photos, let alone extensive test drive notes.
I contacted my friends at DriveShop and canceled the remaining loans. I wasn’t interested in anything I had previously enjoyed, and I honestly considered quitting writing. It’s a pretty classic symptom of depression: losing interest in things you once enjoyed. However, with the wonderful support of my fiancé and other family members, along with some prescription assistance, I got back into it. Apologies to Volkswagen for the minimal content on the Taos, but I still wanted to put something together.
I took a few notes; um, here they are.
Pretty good first impression, good size and style. Seats are very comfortable. Fairly no nonsense dashboard. Some haptic buttons, but they seem a little easier to use than previous Volkswagens.
I have a handful of pictures, as you’ll see. I’ll try to do what I usually do and provide a quick overview of the 2025 Taos, but this won’t be a standard feature review like I typically create.
For 2025, the Taos offers four trim levels, starting at a very reasonable price just under $25,000. An SE like our tester is just under $27,900, while the SE Black comes in at just over $30,000 and the top-spec SEL is almost $35,700.
The 2025 model year introduces an upgraded turbocharged four-cylinder engine, now boasting a 16-horsepower increase to 174 hp, which results in quite lively acceleration. Five years into its first generation, the Taos has also received a refresh with updated interior and exterior styling.
What I appreciate about this loan is that it’s not the highest trim level. We typically receive a fully loaded version of a new vehicle to review, but this 2025 Taos SE is priced at $32,025 out the door. The only addition is $495 for upgraded paint.
As I mentioned in my first impression, the Taos makes a strong initial impression. It’s a great size, almost like a taller VW Golf. I appreciate its very simple exterior layout. With a large lower air dam and a recognizable VW face, the Taos is free of drama—no scoops, slats, or unnecessary design elements.
Inside, the design is even more simplistic. Although the screen appears slightly tacked-on, the rest of the dashboard remains clean and devoid of unnecessary design elements. The SE is equipped with upgraded Climatronic dual-zone automatic climate control, CloudTex and cloth seating surfaces, as well as Wireless App-Connect smartphone integration and wireless charging.
In the end, I only spent a few days in the Taos. Even though the 2025 model has some updates, check out my 2022 Taos SE review for other impressions. I look forward to checking out another Taos soon, and ideally, 2025 starts to get better.