2025 Subaru Outback vs 2026 Volkswagen Taos
Comparison Overview
The most significant financial divergence between the 2025 Subaru Outback and the 2026 Volkswagen Taos is the $3,495 difference in their starting MSRPs, with the Taos at $26,500 compared to the Outback's $29,995. Performance metrics show the Outback yielding higher power output at 182 hp and 176 lb-ft of torque versus the Taos’s 174 hp and superior 184 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy favors the smaller Taos, achieving 31 MPG combined (28/36 city/highway) compared to the Outback's 28 MPG combined (26/32). Furthermore, the Outback offers substantially more utility, boasting 32.6 cu ft of cargo capacity against the Taos's 27.9 cu ft. Dimensionally, the Outback is also notably longer at 191.1 inches versus the Taos’s 175.9 inches, which contributes to its greater interior space, although both utilize regular unleaded fuel.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2026 Volkswagen Taos
The 2026 Volkswagen Taos is the superior choice for commuters due to its superior combined fuel economy rating of 31 MPG versus the Outback's 28 MPG.
2025 Subaru Outback
The 2025 Subaru Outback provides 32.6 cu ft of cargo capacity, significantly exceeding the Taos's 27.9 cu ft, offering better utility for families.
2026 Volkswagen Taos
The Taos offers superior low-end acceleration potential with 184 lb-ft of torque compared to the Outback's 176 lb-ft, despite having lower peak horsepower.
2026 Volkswagen Taos
The 2026 Volkswagen Taos presents better initial value with an MSRP that is $3,495 lower than the Subaru Outback.
Choose the Subaru Outback if...
- You require standard All-Wheel Drive capability for varied terrain.
- Maximum cargo volume of 32.6 cu ft is necessary for gear or large items.
- You prioritize the slightly higher 182 hp engine output for overall performance.
Choose the Volkswagen Taos if...
- Initial purchase price is a primary concern, as it starts at $26,500.
- Maximum highway fuel efficiency of 36 MPG is critical for long-distance driving.
- You prefer the engagement of an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission over a CVT.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Subaru Outback | Volkswagen Taos |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 191.1" | 175.9" |
| Width | 73.0" | 72.5" |
| Height | 66.1" | 64.5" |
| Wheelbase | 108.1" | 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 | ✓ | — |
| Self-Leveling Headlights | ✓ | — |
| Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Fog Lights | ✓ | — |
| Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| 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 | 2.5 L | 1.5 L |
| Number of Cylinders | flat 4 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 182 hp @ 5800 rpm | 174 hp @ 5500 rpm |
| Torque | 176 lb-ft @ 4400 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 | — |
| Hill Descent Control | ✓ | — |
Fuel
| Feature | Subaru | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 26/32 MPG | 28/36 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 28 MPG | 31 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 481.0/592.0 mi. | 369.6/475.2 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 18.5 gal. | 13.2 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Subaru | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Power Steering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear View Camera | ✓ | ✓ |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Overhead Console with Storage | ✓ | — |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Leather Steering Wheel | ✓ | — |
| Dual Zone Climate Control | ✓ | — |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | ✓ | — |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Cargo Floor Mats | ✓ | — |
| 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 | 40.1 in. | 40.7 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 42.8 in. | 40.1 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 58.1 in. | 56.5 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 55.5 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 |
| Driver Seat Heating | Multi-level | — |
| Passenger Seat Heating | Multi-level | — |
| Passenger Seat Height Adjustment | — | ✓ |
Rearseats
| Feature | Subaru | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 39.1 in. | 39.8 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 39.5 in. | 37.9 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 57.4 in. | 55.2 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 54.8 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 | Subaru | 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 | 225/65R H | 215/55R H |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Inside Mounted | Inside Mounted |
Suspension
| Feature | Subaru | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | — |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | — |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | — |
| Front Suspension Type | — | Independent |
| Stabilizer Bar | — | ✓ |
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 Outback and 2026 Volkswagen Taos.
How does the standard drivetrain compare between the 2025 Outback and 2026 Taos?
The 2025 Subaru Outback comes standard with All-Wheel Drive, which is a key feature for traction. Conversely, the 2026 Volkswagen Taos base model utilizes Front-Wheel Drive, requiring an upgrade for AWD capability.
Which vehicle is better for highway fuel costs?
The 2026 Volkswagen Taos is more economical on the highway, achieving 36 MPG compared to the 2025 Subaru Outback's 32 MPG highway rating. This difference of 4 MPG contributes to lower recurring fuel expenses.
Is the performance difference in torque meaningful between the two crossovers?
Yes, the 2026 Taos generates 184 lb-ft of torque, slightly beating the Outback's 176 lb-ft. This extra torque might translate to better initial responsiveness, despite the Taos having 8 fewer horsepower.
What is the exact difference in size and utility?
The Outback is physically larger, measuring 191.1 inches long versus the Taos’s 175.9 inches. This size translates directly into cargo space, where the Outback offers 32.6 cu ft compared to the Taos's 27.9 cu ft.
What transmission type does each crossover utilize?
The 2025 Subaru Outback employs a continuously variable-speed automatic transmission (CVT). The 2026 Volkswagen Taos features a more traditional 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission.
How much more expensive is the Subaru Outback at base trim?
The 2025 Subaru Outback has a starting MSRP of $29,995. This is precisely $3,495 more expensive than the 2026 Volkswagen Taos, which starts at $26,500.
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