2025 Toyota Corolla Cross vs 2025 Volkswagen Taos

$24,135 · Crossover

$25,495 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Trying to decide between the highly practical 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross and the slightly punchier 2025 Volkswagen Taos? This comparison boils down to efficiency versus raw capability. The Corolla Cross immediately grabs the MPG crown, delivering 32 MPG combined, slightly ahead of the Taos's 31 MPG combined rating. However, the Taos edges out the Toyota in power, boasting 174 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque versus the Corolla Cross’s 169 hp and 151 lb-ft. Pricewise, the Corolla Cross starts lower at $24,135 compared to the Taos’s $25,495. Interestingly, while the Taos offers more hauling room with 27.9 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Corolla Cross’s 24 cu ft, the Toyota is slightly smaller overall at 176.1 inches long.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Toyota Corolla Cross

The Corolla Cross wins for daily commuting due to its slightly superior combined fuel economy of 32 MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Volkswagen Taos

The Volkswagen Taos is better suited for families needing more space, offering 27.9 cu ft of cargo capacity versus the Toyota's 24 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Volkswagen Taos

Enthusiasts will prefer the Taos because it offers notably higher torque at 184 lb-ft compared to the Corolla Cross's 151 lb-ft.

💰 Best Value

2025 Toyota Corolla Cross

The Corolla Cross presents better baseline value starting at $24,135, which is $1,360 cheaper than the starting MSRP of the Taos.

Choose the Toyota Corolla Cross if...

You prioritize maximizing fuel stops, as the 2025 Corolla Cross achieves 32 MPG combined.
Your budget is firm, given its lower starting MSRP of $24,135.
You prefer the dependable, efficient performance characteristics of a continuously variable-speed automatic transmission.

Choose the Volkswagen Taos if...

You need maximum storage space, leveraging the Taos's leading 27.9 cu ft cargo capacity.
You prefer quicker acceleration response provided by the Taos's 184 lb-ft of torque.
You value having an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission over a CVT.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Toyota Corolla Cross	Volkswagen Taos
Length	176.1"	175.9"
Width	71.9"	72.5"
Height	64.9"	64.5"
Wheelbase	103.9"	105.9"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Toyota	Volkswagen
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Dual Rear 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	✓	✓
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	✓	—
Blind Spot Monitor	—	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	—	✓
Automatic Headlights	—	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Toyota	Volkswagen
Base Engine Displacement	2.0 L	1.5 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	169 hp @ 6600 rpm	174 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque	151 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	Toyota	Volkswagen
Transmission Type	continuously variable-speed automatic	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	front wheel drive

Fuel

Feature	Toyota	Volkswagen
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	31/33 MPG	28/36 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	32 MPG	31 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	384.4/409.2 mi.	369.6/475.2 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	12.4 gal.	13.2 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Toyota	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	✓	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	—
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Single Zone Climate Control	✓	✓
Push Button Start	—	✓
Leatherette Steering Wheel	—	✓
Heated Steering Wheel	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Toyota	Volkswagen
Infotainment Display	8.0 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	With Real Time Traffic	—
Satellite Radio Trial Period	3 months	—
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	✓	—

Power Feature

Feature	Toyota	Volkswagen
Remote Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Toyota	Volkswagen
Front Head Room	38.6 in.	40.7 in.
Front Leg Room	42.9 in.	40.1 in.
Front Shoulder Room	52.7 in.	56.5 in.
Front Hip Room	52.6 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	Toyota	Volkswagen
Rear Head Room	39.0 in.	39.8 in.
Rear Leg Room	32.0 in.	37.9 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	52.4 in.	55.2 in.
Rear Hip Room	43.8 in.	45.4 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Folding Rear Seat Feature	—	✓
Pass-Thru Center Armrest	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Toyota	Volkswagen
Wheel Material	Steel	—
Wheel Cover Type	Full	—
Wheel Diameter	17 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	P215/65R17	215/55R H
Wheel Finish	—	Painted Alloy
Wheel Size	—	17 x 7.0 in
Spare Tire Type	—	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	—	Inside Mounted

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Toyota	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	2 yr./ unlimited mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	2 yr./ 25000 mi.	2 yr./ 20000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross and 2025 Volkswagen Taos.

How do the power outputs compare between the 2025 Corolla Cross and the 2025 Taos?

The Volkswagen Taos has the edge in power, producing 174 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. The Toyota Corolla Cross is slightly less powerful, delivering 169 hp and 151 lb-ft of torque.

Which crossover is more fuel-efficient for highway driving?

The Corolla Cross offers marginally better highway efficiency, rated at 33 MPG highway compared to the Taos's 36 MPG highway rating, although the Taos has a slight advantage here.

Is there a significant difference in starting price for these two models?

Yes, the Toyota Corolla Cross has a more accessible entry point at $24,135 for the base trim. The Volkswagen Taos starts slightly higher, listed at an MSRP of $25,495.

If I frequently haul cargo, which crossover provides more room?

The Volkswagen Taos is the superior choice for hauling, boasting 27.9 cubic feet of cargo capacity. The Toyota Corolla Cross offers 24 cubic feet behind the rear seats.

What kind of transmission does each vehicle use?

The 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross utilizes a continuously variable-speed automatic transmission (CVT). In contrast, the 2025 Volkswagen Taos is equipped with an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission.