2025 Ford Maverick vs 2025 Volkswagen Taos

$28,145 · Crossover

$25,495 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Ford Maverick bursts onto the scene with an impressive 191 hp, promising brisk acceleration from its hybrid powertrain, easily achieving an outstanding 38 MPG combined. Its longer 199.8-inch frame suggests more utility, though its $28,145 MSRP places it higher. In contrast, the 2025 Volkswagen Taos thrills with a punchier 184 lb-ft of torque paired with a traditional 8-speed automatic, albeit with lower peak power at 174 hp. The Taos commands attention with its lower entry price of $25,495 and slightly more manageable 175.9-inch length. The most dramatic gap lies in fuel economy: the Maverick delivers a massive 7 MPG advantage over the Taos's 31 MPG combined rating. While the Maverick focuses on hyper-efficiency and modern hybrid tech, the Taos offers accessible torque and a slightly more conventional driving feel for the budget-conscious buyer.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Ford Maverick

The Maverick wins for commuters due to its segment-leading 38 MPG combined fuel economy rating.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Volkswagen Taos

The Taos offers a lower entry price of $25,495 and includes a defined 27.9 cu ft of cargo capacity.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Ford Maverick

The Maverick provides superior outright performance with 191 hp compared to the Taos's 174 hp.

💰 Best Value

2025 Volkswagen Taos

The Taos presents better immediate value with a significantly lower MSRP of $25,495.

Choose the Ford Maverick if...

You prioritize maximum fuel efficiency, benefiting from the Maverick's 38 MPG combined rating.
You prefer the higher peak power output of 191 hp for acceleration.
You require the slightly larger footprint indicated by the 199.8-inch length for potential utility.

Choose the Volkswagen Taos if...

Sticking to a strict budget is paramount, given the Taos's attractive $25,495 starting price.
You desire more low-end pulling power, reflected in the Taos's 184 lb-ft of torque.
You prefer the predictable shifting of the 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission over an electric variable transmission.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Ford Maverick	Volkswagen Taos
Length	199.8"	175.9"
Width	72.6"	72.5"
Height	68.8"	64.5"
Wheelbase	121.1"	105.9"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Ford	Volkswagen
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Brake Preparation System	✓	—
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Rear Headrests	3	3
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	—
Blind Spot Monitor	—	✓
Lane Departure Warning	—	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	—	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	—	✓
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	—	✓
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Ford	Volkswagen
Base Engine Displacement	2.5 L	1.5 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	hybrid	gas
Horsepower	191 hp @ 5600 rpm	174 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque	155 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm	184 lb-ft @ 1750 rpm
Number of Valves	16	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	—	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Ford	Volkswagen
Transmission Type	electrically variable-speed automatic	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	front wheel drive

Fuel

Feature	Ford	Volkswagen
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	42/35 MPG	28/36 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	38 MPG	31 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	579.6/483.0 mi.	369.6/475.2 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	13.8 gal.	13.2 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Ford	Volkswagen
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Cruise Control	✓	—
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	✓	—
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Single Zone Climate Control	✓	✓
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Push Button Start	—	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	—	✓
Leatherette Steering Wheel	—	✓
Heated Steering Wheel	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Ford	Volkswagen
Infotainment Display	13.2 in	8.0 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	6	4
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	—	✓

Power Feature

Feature	Ford	Volkswagen
One-Touch Power Windows	1	—
Remote Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Ford	Volkswagen
Front Head Room	40.2 in.	40.7 in.
Front Leg Room	42.8 in.	40.1 in.
Front Shoulder Room	57.3 in.	56.5 in.
Front Hip Room	55.4 in.	53.9 in.
Seat Material: Cloth	✓	✓
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	6-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	4-way	6-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	—	✓

Rearseats

Feature	Ford	Volkswagen
Rear Head Room	39.6 in.	39.8 in.
Rear Leg Room	35.9 in.	37.9 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	55.6 in.	55.2 in.
Rear Hip Room	54.1 in.	45.4 in.
Folding Rear Seatback	✓	—
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	—	✓
Folding Rear Seat Feature	—	✓
Pass-Thru Center Armrest	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Ford	Volkswagen
Wheel Finish	Painted Steel	Painted Alloy
Wheel Diameter	17 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	225/65R17	215/55R H
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Underbody Mounted	Inside Mounted
Wheel Size	—	17 x 7.0 in

Suspension

Feature	Ford	Volkswagen
Front Suspension Type	Independent	Independent
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	—
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	—
Stabilizer Bar	—	✓

Warranty

Feature	Ford	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 Ford Maverick and 2025 Volkswagen Taos.

Which vehicle is significantly better on gas between the 2025 Maverick and Taos?

The 2025 Ford Maverick is substantially more efficient, achieving 38 MPG combined versus the Volkswagen Taos’s 31 MPG combined rating, creating a clear 7 MPG separation favoring the Maverick for long-term running costs.

Does the higher horsepower in the Maverick equate to a better driving experience than the Taos's torque advantage?

While the Maverick has more horsepower at 191 hp, the Taos delivers better torque performance with 184 lb-ft, which often translates to better initial responsiveness off the line, despite its lower 174 hp total.

How do the physical sizes of these crossovers compare?

The Maverick is substantially longer at 199.8 inches compared to the Taos's 175.9 inches, although both are similarly wide at approximately 72.6 inches.

Is the 2025 Volkswagen Taos cheaper than the Ford Maverick?

Yes, the Taos offers a significantly lower starting MSRP at $25,495, making it the more budget-friendly choice compared to the Maverick, which begins at $28,145.

What is the main difference in powertrain between the two FWD models?

The Maverick utilizes an electrically variable-speed automatic transmission paired with its hybrid system, whereas the Taos uses a conventional 8-speed shiftable automatic paired with its gasoline engine.

Which vehicle provides better verified cargo capacity?

The provided specifications list the 2025 Volkswagen Taos with a specific 27.9 cu ft of cargo capacity, a metric not detailed for the Ford Maverick in this comparison.