The 2025 Volkswagen Taos arrives with various updates to enhance its appeal in the competitive compact SUV market. Known for its practical size and efficiency, the Taos has long been a favourite among drivers in the Greater Toronto Area looking for an affordable, versatile vehicle. However, the 2025 model takes things further by introducing significant design, technology, performance, and safety improvements. Whether you're a first-time buyer or a returning Volkswagen customer, the redesigned Taos brings a lot to the table. Here are 10 key enhancements that make the 2025 Taos stand out.
1- Redesigned Front-End Styling
The 2025 Taos features a refreshed exterior design, starting with a bold new front end. The revised bumper and grille give the SUV a more dynamic appearance, making it feel more premium and modern. One of the most striking features is the available light bar that integrates seamlessly into the grille, adding a sleek and futuristic touch to the front fascia. Standard LED projector headlights, now available across all trims, enhance the vehicle's look and improve nighttime visibility, making it both stylish and functional.
At the rear, connected taillights and an illuminated Volkswagen badge help maintain a cohesive design language, adding to the Taos' upscale appeal. These changes make the 2025 model look sharper and more distinctive than its predecessor, drawing attention whether it's parked or on the move. The revised styling and new colour options ensure the Taos keeps up with contemporary design trends without losing its practicality.
2- Expanded Color and Wheel Options
For 2025, Volkswagen has expanded the exterior customization options for the Taos, offering three new paint colours: Serrano Green Metallic, Monterey Blue Pearl, and Alpine Grey. These colours bring fresh aesthetic choices to the lineup, allowing drivers to pick a shade that best suits their personality and style. These new hues complement the vehicle's updated design, providing a broader palette for buyers seeking more individuality.
In addition to new colours, the 2025 Taos also introduces a selection of new aluminum alloy wheels, available in 17, 18, and 19-inch sizes. These redesigned wheels add a more aggressive and refined look to the SUV, enhancing its overall road presence. Whether you're opting for the entry-level trim or the more premium models, the wheel choices provide an extra layer of customization, allowing the Taos to cater to a wide range of tastes.
3- More Powerful 1.5-Litre Turbocharged Engine
Under the hood, the 2025 Taos benefits from an upgraded 1.5-litre EA211 turbocharged four-cylinder engine. This updated engine boosts the vehicle's power output from 158 horsepower in previous models to 174 horsepower, delivering a more responsive and enjoyable driving experience. Key hardware updates include:
- Revised piston rings.
- New fuel injectors.
- A larger intercooler.
- A modified turbo housing designed to improve performance and efficiency.
The increased horsepower doesn't just translate to better acceleration; it also makes the Taos feel more capable in various driving conditions, whether merging onto a highway or navigating city streets. Volkswagen's engineering upgrades ensure that this compact SUV offers the right power and fuel efficiency balance, making it suitable for everyday commuting and longer trips.
4- New Eight-Speed Automatic Transmission for AWD Models
A significant change for the 2025 Taos AWD models is switching from a seven-speed dual-clutch DSG® automatic transmission to a more conventional eight-speed automatic. This change enhances the driving experience, particularly in stop-and-go traffic, by providing smoother shifts and more predictable power delivery. The new transmission is designed to make the Taos more comfortable for daily driving while maintaining performance when needed.
The eight-speed automatic transmission pairs well with the AWD system, ensuring better handling and stability across various terrains and weather conditions. This upgrade mainly benefits drivers in regions with common snow, rain, or rough roads. By improving comfort and drivability, this transmission change is one of the more practical updates in the 2025 Taos.
5- Updated Infotainment System
Inside the 2025 Taos, Volkswagen has revamped the dashboard, emphasizing the vehicle's infotainment system. Every Taos trim now has a standard 8-inch floating infotainment display seamlessly integrated into the dashboard's design. This screen offers improved visibility and ease of use and a more intuitive interface for controlling media, navigation, and other vehicle settings.
The updated system supports wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, making it easier for drivers to connect their smartphones without cables. These updates make the 2025 Taos more user-friendly and tech-forward, ensuring it remains competitive in a market where in-car technology is becoming increasingly important for buyers.
6- Enhanced Climate Control with Touch Functionality
Volkswagen has upgraded the climate control system in the 2025 Taos, introducing a dual-zone automatic Climatronic® HVAC system with touch-sensitive controls. This new system allows the driver and front passenger to set their preferred temperatures, improving comfort during long drives. The touch control feature adds a layer of sophistication to the cabin, offering an easy-to-use interface for adjusting climate settings.
The climate system upgrade is also paired with improved acoustic dampening materials throughout the cabin, reducing external noise and creating a more serene environment. These changes enhance the overall driving experience, making the Taos feel more refined and comfortable, whether stuck in traffic or cruising on the highway.
7- Improved Interior Materials and Design
Volkswagen has taken steps to enhance the interior quality of the 2025 Taos, ensuring that it feels more premium than ever before. The new dashboard design, featuring a sleek infotainment display, adds a modern and cohesive look to the cabin. Trim-specific materials like MicroCloud leatherette for Comfortline models and genuine leather in Highline trims elevate the SUV's sense of luxury.
For those seeking a more unique look, the Comfortline Black Edition introduces black accents throughout the cabin, including a black roof and unique wheels. In Highline models, introducing leather seats in a new "Blue Night" dark blue hue adds a touch of elegance, giving the Taos a more sophisticated and upscale feel.
8- Expanded Suite of Safety Features
Safety is Volkswagen's top priority, and the 2025 Taos reflects this commitment by offering an expanded range of advanced safety features—the IQ.DRIVE® suite of driver assistance technologies is available across all trims, including systems like Travel Assist for semi-automated driving, Front Assist for collision avoidance, and Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go functionality.
Additional safety technologies such as Active Blind Spot Monitor, Rear Traffic Alert, and Emergency Assist help give drivers more confidence behind the wheel. The 2025 Taos also offers Park Distance Control, which helps guide drivers when parking in tight spaces. These features improve safety and contribute to a more convenient and stress-free driving experience.
9- Quieter Cabin with Acoustic Dampening
One of the more subtle but significant improvements in the 2025 Taos is the addition of new acoustic dampening treatments throughout the cabin. Volkswagen has focused on reducing road and wind noise, creating a quieter and more peaceful interior environment. Whether driving in the city or on the highway, the enhanced sound insulation makes a noticeable difference in cabin comfort.
This improvement is particularly beneficial for long-distance driving, where road noise can contribute to fatigue. The quieter cabin and the new climate control system ensure that the 2025 Taos offers a more comfortable and refined ride than previous models.
10- Restyled Rear and Updated Lighting
In addition to the refreshed front end, the 2025 Taos also sees updates at the rear. Connected taillights now come standard, providing a more cohesive and premium look. The illuminated Volkswagen badge on the rear further emphasizes the vehicle's modern design language, giving the compact SUV a distinctive appearance, especially at night.
These updates aren't just about aesthetics—they also improve visibility and safety for vehicles behind you. LED lighting for both the headlights and taillights ensures better illumination, adding style and function to the 2025 Taos. These changes help the Taos stand out while enhancing its overall road presence.
Conclusion
The 2025 Volkswagen Taos offers a well-rounded package of improvements that elevate the driving experience across the board. The new Taos builds on its strengths while addressing areas where enhancements were needed, from its refreshed exterior and more powerful engine to the upgraded infotainment system and expanded safety features. Whether you're drawn to its more aggressive styling, improved comfort, or advanced technology, the 2025 Taos is a strong contender in the compact SUV segment, offering more value and performance than ever.