VS
At a Glance
Power
174hp @ 5500
201hp @ 5000
Torque
184lb-ft @ 1750
221lb-ft @ 1500
Fuel
29 mpg est.
26 mpg est.
Towing
—
1800lbs
Engine
1.5 L/91ci
2.0 L/121ci
Choosing between the Volkswagen Taos and the Volkswagen Tiguan is one of the most common decisions car buyers in the United States face. The Volkswagen Taos delivers 174hp @ 5500 while the Volkswagen Tiguan produces 201hp @ 5000. On fuel, the Taos returns 29 mpg est. while the Tiguan uses 26 mpg est. — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at $28,200 for the Taos and $38,745 for the Tiguan. 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
Volkswagen TaosS 4MOTION 2026 - From $28,200
Volkswagen Tiguan2.0T SE R-Line Black 4MOTION 2026 - From $38,745
Performance
Power Output (hp)
174hp @ 5500
201hp @ 5000
Torque (lb-ft)
184lb-ft @ 1750
221lb-ft @ 1500
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
1.5 L/91ci
2.0 L/121ci
Cylinders
4
4
Fuel Type
Gasoline
Gasoline
Forced Induction Device
Turbocharged
Turbocharged
Transmission
Automatic
Automatic
Number of Gears
8
8
Drive Wheels
All Wheel Drive
All Wheel Drive
Fuel Economy
Fuel Economy (Combined, est.)
29 mpg est.
26 mpg est.
Fuel Economy - City (mpg)
25mpg
22mpg
Fuel Economy - Highway (mpg)
33mpg
30mpg
Fuel Tank Capacity (gal)
14.5gal
15.6gal
Dimensions
Length (in)
175.8in
184.4in
Width (in)
72.5in
73in
Height (in)
64.6in
66.5in
Wheelbase (in)
105.6in
109.9in
Curb Weight (lbs)
3437lbs
3801lbs
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity (lbs)
—
1800lbs
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
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
Alloy Wheels
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
Tie
2 / 4 categories
Performance
Tiguan
Fuel Economy
Taos
Value
Taos
Practicality
Tiguan
Pros & Cons
Volkswagen Taos
Better fuel economy (29 mpg est.)
Lower starting price ($28,200)
Few notable weaknesses
Volkswagen Tiguan
Well-rounded specification
Higher fuel consumption (26 mpg est.)
Higher starting price
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the Taos or Tiguan?
The Taos gets 29 mpg est. and the Tiguan gets 26 mpg est. on the combined cycle. The Taos 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 Taos or Tiguan?
The Taos produces 174hp @ 5500 and 184lb-ft @ 1750 of torque while the Tiguan delivers 201hp @ 5000 and 221lb-ft @ 1500 of torque. The Tiguan is the more powerful option.
What is the price difference between the Taos and Tiguan?
The Taos starts from $28,200 and the Tiguan from $38,745. The Taos is cheaper by $10,545 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Which has a higher towing capacity, the Taos or Tiguan?
The Taos has a braked towing capacity of not specified and the Tiguan can tow 1800lbs. Always verify towing limits in the owner's manual before hitching a trailer.
Should I buy the Taos or the Tiguan?
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.