VS
At a Glance
Power
180hp @ 5800
174hp @ 5500
Torque
178lb-ft @ 3700
184lb-ft @ 1750
Fuel
30 mpg est.
29 mpg est.
Towing
1500lbs
—
Engine
2.5 L/152ci
1.5 L/91ci
Choosing between the Subaru Crosstrek and the Volkswagen Taos is one of the most common decisions car buyers in the United States face. The Subaru Crosstrek delivers 180hp @ 5800 while the Volkswagen Taos produces 174hp @ 5500. On fuel, the Crosstrek returns 30 mpg est. while the Taos uses 29 mpg est. — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at $30,625 for the Crosstrek and $35,900 for the Taos. Both vehicles have their merits. The right choice depends on your priorities: fuel economy, performance, towing ability, safety features or total cost of ownership. This comparison covers every specification available so you can make an informed decision.
Specification
Subaru CrosstrekSport AWD 2026 - From $30,625
Volkswagen TaosSEL 4MOTION 2026 - From $35,900
Performance
Power Output (hp)
180hp @ 5800
174hp @ 5500
Torque (lb-ft)
178lb-ft @ 3700
184lb-ft @ 1750
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
2.5 L/152ci
1.5 L/91ci
Cylinders
4
4
Fuel Type
Gasoline
Gasoline
Forced Induction Device
—
Turbocharged
Transmission
Automatic
Automatic
Number of Gears
—
8
Drive Wheels
All Wheel Drive
All Wheel Drive
Fuel Economy
Fuel Economy (Combined, est.)
30 mpg est.
29 mpg est.
Fuel Economy - City (mpg)
26mpg
25mpg
Fuel Economy - Highway (mpg)
33mpg
33mpg
Fuel Tank Capacity (gal)
16.6gal
14.5gal
Dimensions
Length (in)
176.4in
175.8in
Width (in)
70.9in
72.5in
Height (in)
63in
64.6in
Wheelbase (in)
105.1in
105.6in
Curb Weight (lbs)
3332lbs
3437lbs
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity (lbs)
1500lbs
—
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Brake Assist
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Stability Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Traction Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Driver Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Passenger Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Side Airbags Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Curtain Airbags
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Features & Tech
Air Conditioning
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Climate Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Cruise Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Bluetooth
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Backup Camera
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Rear Parking Aid
—
✓ Standard
Sunroof
—
✓ Standard
Heated Seats
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Power Seat Adjustment
—
✓ Standard
Keyless Entry
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Trailer Hitch
✓ Standard
—
Alloy Wheels
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
Subaru Crosstrek
4 / 4 categories
Performance
Crosstrek
Fuel Economy
Crosstrek
Value
Crosstrek
Practicality
Crosstrek
Pros & Cons
Subaru Crosstrek
Better fuel economy (30 mpg est.)
Lower starting price ($30,625)
Few notable weaknesses
Volkswagen Taos
Well-rounded specification
Higher fuel consumption (29 mpg est.)
Higher starting price
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the Crosstrek or Taos?
The Crosstrek gets 30 mpg est. and the Taos gets 29 mpg est. on the combined cycle. The Crosstrek is the more fuel-efficient choice. In real-world conditions with a mix of highway and urban driving, actual figures will be slightly higher.
Which has more power, the Crosstrek or Taos?
The Crosstrek produces 180hp @ 5800 and 178lb-ft @ 3700 of torque while the Taos delivers 174hp @ 5500 and 184lb-ft @ 1750 of torque. The Crosstrek is the more powerful option.
What is the price difference between the Crosstrek and Taos?
The Crosstrek starts from $30,625 and the Taos from $35,900. The Crosstrek is cheaper by $5,275 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Which has a higher towing capacity, the Crosstrek or Taos?
The Crosstrek has a braked towing capacity of 1500lbs and the Taos can tow not specified. Always verify towing limits in the owner's manual before hitching a trailer.
Should I buy the Crosstrek or the Taos?
It depends on your priorities. If fuel economy matters most, check the mpg figures above. If you need towing capacity, compare the towing ratings. For day-to-day driving - commutes, school runs and highway trips - consider ground clearance, service network coverage, and total cost of ownership including insurance and maintenance. Use the spec tables above to compare every detail before making your decision.