2025 Subaru Impreza vs 2026 Volkswagen Taos
Comparison Overview
Choosing between the agile wagon and the trendy crossover often boils down to prioritizing practical grip versus elevated utility. If you need an everyday driver that handles unpredictable weather with confidence, the 2025 Subaru Impreza starts lower at $24,360 and offers standard All-Wheel Drive, making it a predictable choice. However, the 2026 Volkswagen Taos provides significantly more usable space, boasting 27.9 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Impreza's 20.4 cu ft, and it delivers better performance metrics with 174 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. While the Taos nets slightly better fuel economy at 31 MPG combined versus the Impreza's 30 MPG, the Impreza maintains a tight footprint at just 70.1 inches wide. Ultimately, buyers must weigh the Taos's extra height (64.5 inches) and power against the Impreza's established AWD security and lower entry price.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Subaru Impreza
The Impreza offers better city maneuverability due to its smaller width (70.1 inches) and slightly better city MPG (27 MPG).
2026 Volkswagen Taos
The Taos is the clear winner for families needing more gear space, offering 27.9 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Impreza's 20.4 cu ft.
2026 Volkswagen Taos
With 174 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque, the Taos provides considerably more accessible power than the Impreza's 152 hp.
2025 Subaru Impreza
The Impreza has a lower starting MSRP of $24,360 while still including standard All-Wheel Drive.
Choose the Subaru Impreza if...
- You prioritize standard All-Wheel Drive for year-round safety over raw power.
- You want the lowest entry point into this comparison, starting at $24,360 MSRP.
- You prefer the lower, less imposing ride height typical of a wagon (58.3 inches tall).
Choose the Volkswagen Taos if...
- You need maximum utility, as the Taos offers a large 27.9 cu ft of cargo space.
- You enjoy peppier acceleration thanks to its 174 hp engine output.
- You want the absolute best fuel economy, achieving 36 MPG on the highway.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Subaru Impreza | Volkswagen Taos |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 176.2" | 175.9" |
| Width | 70.1" | 72.5" |
| Height | 58.3" | 64.5" |
| Wheelbase | 105.1" | 105.9" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Subaru | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Departure Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | — |
| Brake Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | ✓ | ✓ |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Adaptive Headlights | ✓ | — |
| Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Front Multi-Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | — |
| Rear Headrests | 3 | 3 |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | — |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | — |
| Blind Spot Monitor | — | ✓ |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | — | ✓ |
| Rear Solid Disc Brakes | — | ✓ |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Subaru | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.0 L | 1.5 L |
| Number of Cylinders | flat 4 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 152 hp @ 6000 rpm | 174 hp @ 5500 rpm |
| Torque | 145 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 | Subaru | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | continuously variable-speed automatic | 8-speed shiftable automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | all wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Center Differential Type | Limited Slip | — |
Fuel
| Feature | Subaru | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 27/34 MPG | 28/36 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 30 MPG | 31 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 448.2/564.4 mi. | 369.6/475.2 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 16.6 gal. | 13.2 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Subaru | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Power Steering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear View Camera | ✓ | ✓ |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Zone Climate Control | ✓ | — |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Push Button Start | — | ✓ |
| Leatherette Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Heated Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Single Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Subaru | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 7.0 in | 8.0 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 4 | 4 |
| Android Auto (Wired) | ✓ | — |
| Apple CarPlay (Wired) | ✓ | — |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auxiliary Audio Input | ✓ | — |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | ✓ | — |
| Satellite Radio Trial Length | 4 months | — |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
Power Feature
| Feature | Subaru | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 2 | — |
| Remote Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Subaru | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 39.8 in. | 40.7 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 42.9 in. | 40.1 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 56.8 in. | 56.5 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 55.1 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 | Subaru | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 38.0 in. | 39.8 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 36.5 in. | 37.9 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 55.3 in. | 55.2 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 53.2 in. | 45.4 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Rear Seat Feature | — | ✓ |
| Pass-Thru Center Armrest | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Subaru | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Material | Steel | — |
| Wheel Cover Type | Full | — |
| Wheel Size | 16 x 6.5 in | 17 x 7.0 in |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 205/55R16 | 215/55R H |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Inside Mounted | Inside Mounted |
| Wheel Finish | — | Painted Alloy |
Suspension
| Feature | Subaru | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | — |
| Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Suspension Type | — | Independent |
Warranty
| Feature | Subaru | 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 | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | — | 2 yr./ 20000 mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Subaru Impreza and 2026 Volkswagen Taos.
How does the size difference affect daily driving between these two?
The 2025 Impreza is slightly shorter in length (176.2 inches) and significantly narrower (70.1 inches), making it easier to tuck into tight city parking spots. The 2026 Taos, while only slightly longer, is wider and much taller (64.5 inches), offering better outward visibility.
Is the Subaru Impreza’s AWD worth the trade-off in horsepower?
The Impreza comes standard with AWD, which is excellent for consistent traction on slippery surfaces, drawing from its 152 hp. The Taos uses Front-Wheel Drive standard, offering 22 more horsepower (174 hp) for better acceleration on dry pavement.
Which vehicle offers a better deal for the money?
Value leans toward the Impreza, starting at $24,360 MSRP, which is over $2,000 cheaper than the Taos's $26,500 MSRP. However, if interior space is critical, the Taos's superior cargo capacity might justify its higher cost.
How much more fuel-efficient is the Volkswagen Taos?
The Taos is slightly more efficient overall, achieving 31 MPG combined versus the Impreza's 30 MPG combined. On the highway, the Taos pulls ahead with 36 MPG compared to the Impreza’s 34 MPG.
What transmission difference should a driver consider?
The Impreza uses a Continuously Variable Automatic Transmission (CVT), known for smooth, efficient operation. The Taos steps up with an 8-speed shiftable automatic, which enthusiasts might prefer for offering more defined gear steps during spirited driving.
Does either car require premium fuel?
Fortunately, both the 2025 Subaru Impreza and the 2026 Volkswagen Taos specify regular unleaded fuel, keeping running costs predictable for both models.
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