2025 Volkswagen Taos vs 2026 Chevrolet Trax

$25,495 · Crossover

$21,600 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The most significant numerical variance between the 2025 Volkswagen Taos and the 2026 Chevrolet Trax is the MSRP difference of $3,895, positioning the Trax as the considerably more accessible option at $21,600 versus the Taos's $25,495. Performance metrics also diverge notably; the Taos generates 174 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque, eclipsing the Trax’s 137 hp and 162 lb-ft. Fuel economy remains closely matched, with the Taos achieving a slightly better 31 MPG combined compared to the Trax's 30 MPG combined. In terms of physical dimensions, the Taos is 1.3 inches shorter in length (175.9 inches vs 178.6 inches) but is 1.1 inches taller (64.5 inches vs 61.4 inches). However, the Taos offers greater utility with 27.9 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Trax’s 25.6 cu ft, indicating a superior packaging efficiency despite the smaller overall length.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Volkswagen Taos

The Taos achieves a slightly better 31 MPG combined and offers superior highway efficiency at 36 MPG compared to the Trax's 32 MPG highway rating.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Volkswagen Taos

The Taos provides 27.9 cu ft of cargo capacity, which is 2.3 cu ft more utility than the Trax's 25.6 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Volkswagen Taos

The Taos possesses a significant performance advantage, outputting 174 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque, substantially exceeding the Trax’s 137 hp and 162 lb-ft.

💰 Best Value

2026 Chevrolet Trax

The Chevrolet Trax secures the value verdict with its $21,600 MSRP, representing a $3,895 savings over the base model Volkswagen Taos.

Choose the Volkswagen Taos if...

If maximizing power is a priority, the 174 hp engine is 37 hp stronger than the competition.
If you require maximum storage space, the Taos offers 27.9 cubic feet of cargo volume.
If efficiency on longer trips matters, the Taos achieves 36 MPG on the highway versus 32 MPG for the Trax.

Choose the Chevrolet Trax if...

If budget is the primary constraint, the Trax saves $3,895 with an MSRP of $21,600.
If a taller, more commanding presence is desired, the Trax sits 3.1 inches lower at 61.4 inches in height.
If powertrain simplicity is preferred, the Trax utilizes a 6-speed automatic transmission instead of the Taos’s 8-speed unit.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Volkswagen Taos	Chevrolet Trax
Length	175.9"	178.6"
Width	72.5"	71.8"
Height	64.5"	61.4"
Wheelbase	105.9"	106.0"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Volkswagen	Chevrolet
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	—
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic 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	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	3	2
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	—
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	—	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	—	✓
Engine Immobilizer	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Volkswagen	Chevrolet
Base Engine Displacement	1.5 L	1.2 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 3
Base Engine Type	gas	flex-fuel (FFV)
Horsepower	174 hp @ 5500 rpm	137 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque	184 lb-ft @ 1750 rpm	162 lb-ft @ 2500 rpm
Number of Valves	16	12
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Volkswagen	Chevrolet
Transmission Type	8-speed shiftable automatic	6-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	front wheel drive

Fuel

Feature	Volkswagen	Chevrolet
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	28/36 MPG	28/32 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	31 MPG	30 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	369.6/475.2 mi.	369.6/422.4 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	13.2 gal.	13.2 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

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

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Volkswagen	Chevrolet
Infotainment Display	8.0 in	8.0 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	4	4
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Auxiliary Audio Input	—	✓
Satellite Radio	—	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	—	3 months
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	—	✓

Power Feature

Feature	Volkswagen	Chevrolet
Remote Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
One-Touch Power Windows	—	4

Frontseats

Feature	Volkswagen	Chevrolet
Front Head Room	40.7 in.	39.6 in.
Front Leg Room	40.1 in.	41.9 in.
Front Shoulder Room	56.5 in.	55.7 in.
Front Hip Room	53.9 in.	52.1 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	4-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	✓	—

Rearseats

Feature	Volkswagen	Chevrolet
Rear Head Room	39.8 in.	38.1 in.
Rear Leg Room	37.9 in.	38.7 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	55.2 in.	54.3 in.
Rear Hip Room	45.4 in.	45.8 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Folding Rear Seat Feature	✓	—
Pass-Thru Center Armrest	✓	—

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Volkswagen	Chevrolet
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Steel
Wheel Size	17 x 7.0 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	215/55R H	225/60R17
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Inside Mounted
Wheel Cover Type	—	Full
Wheel Diameter	—	17 in

Suspension

Feature	Volkswagen	Chevrolet
Front Suspension Type	Independent	Independent
Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓

Warranty

Feature	Volkswagen	Chevrolet
Basic Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	7 yr./ 100000 mi.	6 yr./ 100000 mi.
Roadside Assistance	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	2 yr./ 20000 mi.	1 yr./ unlimited mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Volkswagen Taos and 2026 Chevrolet Trax.

Which vehicle is significantly more powerful for passing maneuvers?

The 2025 Volkswagen Taos is significantly more powerful, generating 174 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. This compares to the 2026 Chevrolet Trax's output of 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque, a 37 hp difference favoring the Taos.

What is the concrete price difference between the base models?

The base MSRP difference is substantial: the 2026 Chevrolet Trax starts at $21,600, whereas the 2025 Volkswagen Taos is priced at $25,495. This results in a direct price gap of $3,895.

How do their fuel economy ratings compare?

Both vehicles offer similar efficiency, with the Taos holding a slight edge at 31 MPG combined (28 city/36 highway). The Trax achieves 30 MPG combined (28 city/32 highway), indicating better efficiency on the Taos highway runs.

Does the longer Trax offer more cargo room?

No, despite the Trax being 2.7 inches longer externally (178.6 inches vs 175.9 inches), the Taos provides superior internal capacity. The Taos boasts 27.9 cu ft of cargo room compared to the Trax’s 25.6 cu ft.

Which vehicle uses a different transmission type?

The two crossovers utilize different automatic transmissions; the Taos is equipped with an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission. Conversely, the Trax employs a 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission.

Are both crossovers capable of being equipped with all-wheel drive?

Based strictly on the provided data, both the base 2025 Volkswagen Taos and the 2026 Chevrolet Trax are listed with front-wheel drive (FWD) as the standard configuration, with no mention of AWD availability in these trims.