The Volkswagen Taos vs. Competitors

Volkswagen Taos vs Nissan Kicks and Hyundai Kona: Compare Small Crossovers in Sioux City, IA

Volkswagen SUVs are popular for their comfortable, well-equipped accommodations, plentiful practicality, and bold yet refined styling. The VW Taos delivers a signature Volkswagen experience with smaller space requirements and city-friendly maneuverability. This small crossover provides roomy seating, flexible cargo capacity, and confident drivability. It also offers numerous desirable amenities and tech features.

The VW Taos is exceptionally well-rounded and has earned Car and Driver "Editor's Choice" recognition four years in a row (2022-2025). Here's a quick look at how it compares in a few key areas to two other class competitors, the Nissan Kicks and Hyundai Kona.

New Volkswagen Taos vs. Nissan Kicks

• Performance: A recent refresh for the VW Taos included a re-tuned 1.5-liter turbo-four engine with 174 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque - an increase of 16 hp over the 2024 model. The Nissan Kicks naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder feels comparatively sluggish with just 141 horsepower and 140 pound-feet of torque.


• Passenger Space: While both models offer roomy seating for their size, rear occupants will appreciate the Taos for its extra legroom, which exceeds the Kicks by 3.4 inches (37.9 vs. 34.5).


• Cargo Capacity: A primary reason for choosing a crossover is the extra storage. The VW Taos has the edge, offering 65.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, compared to 60 in the Nissan Kicks.


• Features: The VW Taos comes standard with equipment that the Kicks reserves for higher tiers or doesn't offer. Examples include 17-inch alloy wheels, rain-sensing wipers, and roof rails. When equipped with all-wheel drive, the base trim also includes heated front seats and mirrors and larger 18-inch wheels. The Taos also has a larger standard touchscreen and digital driver display.


• Driver-Assistance: Both models include standard driver aids like forward collision mitigation, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. However, the VW Taos's base trim also includes lane-keeping assistance and adaptive cruise control. The Nissan Kicks reserves these features for higher trims.

New Volkswagen Taos vs. Hyundai Kona

• Performance: The VW Taos is propelled by a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine that makes 174 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The Hyundai Kona's standard powertrain is a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder. With 147 horsepower and 143 pound-feet of torque, it can't keep up with the VW Taos.


• Passenger Space: Both models are impressively spacious. While the Kona has the edge in legroom, the Taos offers more headroom.


• Cargo Capacity: If storage is a high priority, you'll appreciate the VW Taos, which offers 27.9 cubic feet behind the second row. When your Le Mars or Norfolk outings require more carry capacity, you can fold the rear seats for 65.9 cubic feet. The Hyundai Kona also offers a sizable storage area (25.5 - 63.7 cubic feet), but it's not quite as capacious as the VW Taos.


• Standard Features: The VW Taos and Hyundai Kona both offer nicely equipped base trims with alloy wheels, LED headlamps, intuitive infotainment, and driver aids like collision mitigation, blind-spot and rear cross-traffic monitoring, and lane-keeping assistance. However, the Taos comes standard with adaptive cruise control, roof rails, and rain-sensing wipers. All-wheel-drive models add 18-inch wheels and heated front seats. These features are available in the Kona, but you have to climb the trim ladder.


• Available Features: The VW Taos has several optional amenities that the Kona doesn't offer or reserves for higher tiers. Notable examples include leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, front accent lighting, parking sensors, and a wireless charging pad.

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