2025 Dodge Hornet vs 2026 Volkswagen Taos
Comparison Overview
Get ready to rumble! The 2025 Dodge Hornet bursts onto the scene, flexing its muscles with a potent 268 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, offering an AWD, performance-oriented crossover thrill starting at $29,995. Conversely, the 2026 Volkswagen Taos seduces buyers with sheer efficiency and affordability, bringing a lower MSRP of $26,500 and sipping fuel for an outstanding 31 MPG combined. While the Hornet charges ahead with a massive 94 hp advantage, the Taos counters with a remarkable 7 MPG better fuel economy. Furthermore, the Taos offers slightly more utility with 27.9 cu ft of cargo space compared to the Hornet’s 27 cu ft. The choice boils down to whether you prioritize raw American muscle or intelligent, economical daily driving dynamics in these compact crossovers.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2026 Volkswagen Taos
The 2026 Volkswagen Taos wins for commuters due to its superior fuel efficiency, achieving 31 MPG combined versus the Hornet's 24 MPG.
2026 Volkswagen Taos
The Taos offers slightly more usable space with 27.9 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Hornet's 27 cu ft, making it marginally better for hauling gear.
2025 Dodge Hornet
The 2025 Dodge Hornet delivers serious excitement with 268 hp and standard All-Wheel Drive, significantly outpacing the Taos's 174 hp.
2026 Volkswagen Taos
The Taos provides better fundamental value by costing $3,495 less and delivering better ongoing fuel savings.
Choose the Dodge Hornet if...
- You demand thrilling acceleration supported by 268 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque.
- All-Wheel Drive capability is a necessity for your driving conditions.
- You are willing to spend $29,995 for superior power output in this segment.
Choose the Volkswagen Taos if...
- Maximizing fuel economy is crucial, given its 36 MPG highway rating.
- You prefer using regular unleaded fuel instead of premium recommended for Car 1.
- Budget is paramount, as the Taos has a lower starting MSRP of $26,500.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Dodge Hornet | Volkswagen Taos |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 178.0" | 175.9" |
| Width | - | 72.5" |
| Height | 63.8" | 64.5" |
| Wheelbase | 103.8" | 105.9" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Dodge | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Blind Spot Monitor | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Departure Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pre-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electronic Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Traction Control System | ✓ | ✓ |
| LATCH System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Child Safety Locks | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) | 4-Wheel | 4-Wheel |
| Brake Preparation System | ✓ | — |
| Brake Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | ✓ | ✓ |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Headrests | 3 | 3 |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | — |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | — |
| Post-Collision Safety System | — | ✓ |
| Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation | — | ✓ |
| Front Ventilated Disc Brakes | — | ✓ |
| Rear Solid Disc Brakes | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Dodge | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.0 L | 1.5 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 268 hp | 174 hp @ 5500 rpm |
| Torque | 295 lb-ft | 184 lb-ft @ 1750 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 16 | 16 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | — | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | — | ✓ |
Drive Train
| Feature | Dodge | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 9-speed shiftable automatic | 8-speed shiftable automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | all wheel drive | front wheel drive |
Fuel
| Feature | Dodge | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | premium unleaded (recommended) | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 21/29 MPG | 28/36 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 24 MPG | 31 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 283.5/391.5 mi. | 369.6/475.2 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 13.5 gal. | 13.2 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Dodge | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Push Button Start | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Power Steering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear View Camera | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Parking Sensors | ✓ | — |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Overhead Console with Storage | ✓ | — |
| Leatherette Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Zone Climate Control | ✓ | — |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | ✓ | — |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Front Seatback Storage | — | ✓ |
| Heated Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Single Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
| Interior Air Filtration | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Dodge | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 10.25 in | 8.0 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 6 | 4 |
| Android Auto (Wired) | ✓ | — |
| Apple CarPlay (Wired) | ✓ | — |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | ✓ | — |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | 6 months | — |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | — | ✓ |
Power Feature
| Feature | Dodge | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 4 | — |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | — |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Remote Keyless Entry | — | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Dodge | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Seat Material: Cloth/Sueded Microfiber | ✓ | — |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Manual Adjustments | 6-way | 6-way |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | 6-way | 6-way |
| Passenger Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Folding Capability | ✓ | — |
| Front Head Room | — | 40.7 in. |
| Front Leg Room | — | 40.1 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | — | 56.5 in. |
| Front Hip Room | — | 53.9 in. |
| Seat Material: Cloth | — | ✓ |
Rearseats
| Feature | Dodge | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Rear Seat Feature | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pass-Thru Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Head Room | — | 39.8 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | — | 37.9 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | — | 55.2 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | — | 45.4 in. |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Dodge | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | Painted Alloy |
| Wheel Size | 17 x 7.0 in | 17 x 7.0 in |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 215/60R17 | 215/55R H |
| Spare Tire Type | — | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | — | Inside Mounted |
Suspension
| Feature | Dodge | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | — |
| Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Suspension Type | — | Independent |
Warranty
| Feature | Dodge | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. | 7 yr./ 100000 mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | — | 2 yr./ 20000 mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Dodge Hornet and 2026 Volkswagen Taos.
How significant is the performance difference between the 2025 Hornet and the 2026 Taos?
The performance gap is substantial; the Hornet packs 268 horsepower, a 94 hp advantage over the Taos's 174 horsepower. This means the Hornet will feel significantly quicker in acceleration tests.
Which vehicle costs less to run daily based on fuel needs?
The 2026 Taos is cheaper to run daily, achieving 31 MPG combined on regular unleaded gasoline. The Hornet achieves only 24 MPG combined and recommends premium fuel.
Is the extra cost of the Dodge Hornet justified by its features?
The Hornet costs $3,495 more than the Taos, but this price nets you AWD, significantly higher horsepower, and torque figures. Your justification depends on valuing performance over economy.
Do these two crossovers offer similar practicality for hauling items?
They are very close in utility; the 2026 Taos has a slight edge with 27.9 cubic feet of cargo capacity, compared to the Hornet's 27.0 cubic feet.
What drivetrain setups do these two models feature?
The 2025 Dodge Hornet comes standard with All-Wheel Drive paired to a 9-speed automatic transmission. In contrast, the 2026 Volkswagen Taos uses a Front Wheel Drive setup with an 8-speed automatic.
Comparing dimensions, is one vehicle noticeably larger or smaller than the other?
The vehicles are very similarly sized overall; the Taos is slightly shorter in length (175.9 inches vs. 178.0 inches) but slightly taller (64.5 inches vs. 63.8 inches) than the Hornet.
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