2025 Volkswagen Taos vs 2026 Hyundai Kona

$25,495 · Crossover

$25,350 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Volkswagen Taos bursts onto the scene offering a punchier powertrain, boasting 174 horsepower compared to the 2026 Hyundai Kona's 147 horsepower, making it the spirited choice. The Taos provides 184 lb-ft of torque, promising slightly more immediate engagement from its 8-speed automatic transmission. Conversely, the Kona grabs attention with its slightly lower curb presence, measuring 171.3 inches long and 62.2 inches high, while both achieve an excellent Combined MPG of 31. Although the Taos is wider at 72.5 inches, it counters with superior practicality, offering 27.9 cubic feet of cargo space against the Kona's 25.5 cu ft. While the initial outlay is nearly identical—$25,495 for the VW versus $25,350 for the Hyundai—the Taos clearly prioritizes driver output and utility.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Volkswagen Taos

The Taos offers superior highway efficiency (36 MPG highway) and a more robust engine for merging.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Volkswagen Taos

With 27.9 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to 25.5 cu ft, the Taos provides more room for family gear.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Volkswagen Taos

The 27-horsepower advantage and higher torque output make the Taos the more engaging vehicle to drive aggressively.

💰 Best Value

2026 Hyundai Kona

The Kona delivers an identical Combined MPG of 31 for $145 less than the Taos.

Choose the Volkswagen Taos if...

You crave a stronger highway passing punch, thanks to its 174 hp output.
You need maximum utility, benefiting from the Taos's 27.9 cu ft of standard cargo capacity.
You prefer the responsive feel of a traditional 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission.

Choose the Hyundai Kona if...

You prioritize the lowest entry price, saving $145 at an MSRP of $25,350.
You desire the slightly better fuel economy in stop-and-go traffic, achieving 29 MPG city.
You prefer a marginally more compact footprint, being over 4 inches shorter in length than the Taos.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Volkswagen Taos	Hyundai Kona
Length	175.9"	171.3"
Width	72.5"	71.9"
Height	64.5"	62.2"
Wheelbase	105.9"	104.7"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Volkswagen	Hyundai
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	3
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	—	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	—	✓
Engine Immobilizer	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Volkswagen	Hyundai
Base Engine Displacement	1.5 L	2.0 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	174 hp @ 5500 rpm	147 hp @ 6200 rpm
Torque	184 lb-ft @ 1750 rpm	132 lb-ft @ 4500 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	Volkswagen	Hyundai
Transmission Type	8-speed shiftable automatic	continuously variable-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	front wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	—	✓

Fuel

Feature	Volkswagen	Hyundai
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	28/36 MPG	29/34 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	31 MPG	31 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	369.6/475.2 mi.	359.6/421.6 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	13.2 gal.	12.4 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Volkswagen	Hyundai
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	✓	—
Rear Parking Sensors	—	✓
Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling	—	✓
Driver Vanity Mirror	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Volkswagen	Hyundai
Infotainment Display	8.0 in	12.3 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	4	6
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	—	✓

Power Feature

Feature	Volkswagen	Hyundai
Remote Keyless Entry	✓	—
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
One-Touch Power Windows	—	1
Keyless Entry	—	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Volkswagen	Hyundai
Front Head Room	40.7 in.	39.9 in.
Front Leg Room	40.1 in.	41.7 in.
Front Shoulder Room	56.5 in.	56.8 in.
Front Hip Room	53.9 in.	54.3 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	Volkswagen	Hyundai
Rear Head Room	39.8 in.	38.3 in.
Rear Leg Room	37.9 in.	38.2 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	55.2 in.	55.2 in.
Rear Hip Room	45.4 in.	52.4 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Folding Rear Seat Feature	✓	—
Pass-Thru Center Armrest	✓	—
Reclining Rear Seats	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Volkswagen	Hyundai
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	—
Wheel Size	17 x 7.0 in	17 x 7.0 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	215/55R H	215/60R17
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Inside Mounted
Wheel Material	—	Alloy

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Volkswagen	Hyundai
Basic Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	10 yr./ 100000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	7 yr./ 100000 mi.	7 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	2 yr./ 20000 mi.	—

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Volkswagen Taos and 2026 Hyundai Kona.

Which crossover is officially more powerful for spirited driving?

The 2025 Volkswagen Taos holds a clear edge in performance metrics, delivering 174 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. This significantly outpaces the 2026 Hyundai Kona, which offers only 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, making the Taos the livelier choice.

How do their fuel economy ratings compare on the highway?

Both vehicles are highly efficient, sharing a combined rating of 31 MPG. However, the Taos pulls ahead slightly on extended journeys, reaching 36 MPG highway compared to the Kona’s 34 MPG highway rating.

Is there a significant difference in interior storage space?

Yes, the Taos offers considerably more accessible utility, providing 27.9 cubic feet of cargo space. The Kona is smaller inside, offering 25.5 cubic feet of storage behind the rear seats.

Which car uses a more traditional transmission setup?

The 2025 Volkswagen Taos utilizes an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission, which often provides a more direct feel. The 2026 Hyundai Kona employs a continuously variable-speed automatic (CVT).

Since both run on regular gas, is the price difference notable?

The pricing is extremely close, with the Kona at $25,350 and the Taos at $25,495, a minimal $145 spread. Since both vehicles use regular unleaded fuel, overall running costs related to fuel type will be identical.

Which crossover feels smaller or more nimble in parking situations?

The 2026 Hyundai Kona is the more compact vehicle, being shorter in length (171.3 inches vs. 175.9 inches) and narrower (71.9 inches vs. 72.5 inches), which might translate to slightly easier maneuvering in tight urban environments.