2025 Hyundai Kona vs 2026 Volkswagen Taos
Comparison Overview
The most significant measurable difference is the output, with the 2026 Volkswagen Taos (car2) delivering 174 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, establishing a substantial 27 hp advantage over the 2025 Hyundai Kona's (car1) 147 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque. Despite this power disparity, both crossovers achieve an identical 31 MPG combined rating. The Taos also offers greater physical volume, measuring 175.9 inches long compared to the Kona's 171.3 inches, resulting in 27.9 cubic feet of cargo capacity versus the Kona's 25.5 cubic feet. Conversely, the Kona enters the segment at a lower initial price point of $24,550, undercutting the Taos's MSRP of $26,500 by $1,950. The Kona utilizes a continuously variable transmission, while the Taos employs an 8-speed shiftable automatic, impacting driving feel.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Hyundai Kona
The 2025 Kona wins for commuters due to its superior highway efficiency of 34 MPG compared to the Taos's 36 MPG, balanced against its $1,950 lower MSRP.
2026 Volkswagen Taos
The 2026 Taos is preferred for families, offering 2.4 cubic feet more cargo capacity (27.9 cu ft vs. 25.5 cu ft) and greater physical dimensions.
2026 Volkswagen Taos
The Taos is the enthusiast choice, significantly outperforming the Kona with 174 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque versus the Kona's 147 hp and 132 lb-ft.
2025 Hyundai Kona
The Kona presents better initial value, starting at an MSRP of $24,550, which is nearly $2,000 less than the Taos.
Choose the Hyundai Kona if...
- Your primary concern is the lowest possible entry price, with an MSRP of $24,550.
- You prioritize slightly better highway fuel economy at 34 MPG.
- You prefer the dimensions of the smaller crossover (171.3 inches long).
Choose the Volkswagen Taos if...
- You require maximum utility, as indicated by 27.9 cu ft of cargo space.
- You desire significantly more acceleration, boasting 174 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque.
- You prefer the gear-shifting characteristics of an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Hyundai Kona | Volkswagen Taos |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 171.3" | 175.9" |
| Width | 71.9" | 72.5" |
| Height | 62.2" | 64.5" |
| Wheelbase | 104.7" | 105.9" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Hyundai | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Blind Spot Monitor | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Departure Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Attention Alert | ✓ | — |
| 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 Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 | ✓ | — |
| Headlight Delay-Off | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Hyundai | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.0 L | 1.5 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 147 hp @ 6200 rpm | 174 hp @ 5500 rpm |
| Torque | 132 lb-ft @ 4500 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 | Hyundai | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | continuously variable-speed automatic | 8-speed shiftable automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | front wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Hill Descent Control | ✓ | — |
Fuel
| Feature | Hyundai | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 29/34 MPG | 28/36 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 31 MPG | 31 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 359.6/421.6 mi. | 369.6/475.2 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 12.4 gal. | 13.2 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Hyundai | 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 | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | ✓ | — |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Single Zone Climate Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling | ✓ | — |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | — | ✓ |
| Front Seatback Storage | — | ✓ |
| Leatherette Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Heated Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Hyundai | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 12.3 in | 8.0 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 6 | 4 |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | ✓ | — |
Power Feature
| Feature | Hyundai | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 1 | — |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | — |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Remote Keyless Entry | — | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Hyundai | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 39.9 in. | 40.7 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 41.7 in. | 40.1 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 56.8 in. | 56.5 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 54.3 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 | — | 6-way |
| Passenger Seat Height Adjustment | — | ✓ |
Rearseats
| Feature | Hyundai | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 38.3 in. | 39.8 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 38.2 in. | 37.9 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 55.2 in. | 55.2 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 52.4 in. | 45.4 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | ✓ | — |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | — |
| Folding Rear Seat Feature | — | ✓ |
| Pass-Thru Center Armrest | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Hyundai | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Material | 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 | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Inside Mounted | Inside Mounted |
| Wheel Finish | — | Painted Alloy |
Suspension
| Feature | Hyundai | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Front Suspension Type | Independent | Independent |
| Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Hyundai | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 10 yr./ 100000 mi. | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 7 yr./ unlimited mi. | 7 yr./ 100000 mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 2 yr./ 20000 mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Hyundai Kona and 2026 Volkswagen Taos.
How does the powertrain performance compare between the 2025 Kona and 2026 Taos?
The 2026 Taos is substantially more powerful, generating 174 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. The 2025 Kona trails significantly with 147 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque, despite both using regular unleaded fuel.
Are there any fuel economy differences between these front-wheel-drive models?
Both vehicles achieve an identical 31 MPG combined rating for their FWD configurations. However, the Taos edges out the Kona slightly in highway driving, achieving 36 MPG compared to the Kona's 34 MPG.
Which crossover offers more interior storage space?
The 2026 Volkswagen Taos provides superior cargo volume at 27.9 cubic feet. The 2025 Hyundai Kona offers 25.5 cubic feet of cargo capacity behind the rear seats.
What is the MSRP difference between the base models?
The 2025 Hyundai Kona starts at $24,550, making it $1,950 more affordable than the 2026 Volkswagen Taos, which has an MSRP of $26,500.
Do the transmission types affect driving dynamics?
Yes; the Kona uses a continuously variable-speed automatic transmission for smoother, non-stepped acceleration. The Taos uses an 8-speed shiftable automatic, which offers distinct gear shifts potentially favored by performance-oriented drivers.
Is one vehicle physically larger than the other?
Yes, the Taos is dimensionally larger; it is 175.9 inches long and 64.5 inches high, whereas the Kona measures 171.3 inches long and 62.2 inches high.
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