2025 Volkswagen Taos vs 2026 Kia Seltos

$25,495 · Crossover

$23,690 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Choosing between the 2025 Volkswagen Taos and the 2026 Kia Seltos can be tricky, as both offer 31 combined MPG for efficient daily driving. The main point of difference comes down to power versus initial cost. The Taos boasts a punchier 174 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque, making its 8-speed automatic feel more engaging than the Seltos’s 147 hp and 132 lb-ft paired with a CVT. However, the Seltos has a lower entry price, starting at $23,690 compared to the Taos's $25,495 MSRP. While the Taos is slightly longer at 175.9 inches versus 172.6 inches, it offers marginally more cargo space at 27.9 cubic feet versus 26.6 cubic feet. Both use regular unleaded, but the VW's extra power might appeal to those needing more oomph on the highway, even if it costs about $1,805 more upfront.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Volkswagen Taos

The Taos's extra 27 horsepower provides better acceleration for merging onto busy commuter highways.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Kia Seltos

The Seltos wins for families needing the lowest possible initial outlay at an MSRP of $23,690.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Volkswagen Taos

With 184 lb-ft of torque and a traditional 8-speed automatic, the Taos offers a more spirited driving experience.

💰 Best Value

2026 Kia Seltos

The Seltos undercuts the Taos on MSRP by nearly $2,000 while matching its excellent 31 combined MPG rating.

Choose the Volkswagen Taos if...

You prioritize acceleration and desire 174 horsepower for easier passing.
You need the slightly larger cargo capacity of 27.9 cubic feet.
You prefer the feel of a traditional 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission.

Choose the Kia Seltos if...

Keeping the initial purchase price under $24,000 is critical (MSRP $23,690).
You value a slightly more compact footprint, measuring 172.6 inches long.
You are comfortable with a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) for smoothness.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Volkswagen Taos	Kia Seltos
Length	175.9"	172.6"
Width	72.5"	70.9"
Height	64.5"	63.6"
Wheelbase	105.9"	103.5"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Volkswagen	Kia
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	—	✓
Rear Fixed Headrests	—	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	—	✓
Engine Immobilizer	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Volkswagen	Kia
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	Kia
Transmission Type	8-speed shiftable automatic	continuously variable-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	front wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	—	✓

Fuel

Feature	Volkswagen	Kia
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	28/36 MPG	28/34 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	31 MPG	31 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	369.6/475.2 mi.	369.6/448.8 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	13.2 gal.	13.2 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

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

Power Feature

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

Frontseats

Feature	Volkswagen	Kia
Front Head Room	40.7 in.	40.0 in.
Front Leg Room	40.1 in.	41.4 in.
Front Shoulder Room	56.5 in.	55.5 in.
Front Hip Room	53.9 in.	53.0 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	Kia
Rear Head Room	39.8 in.	38.4 in.
Rear Leg Room	37.9 in.	38.0 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	55.2 in.	54.9 in.
Rear Hip Room	45.4 in.	48.8 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Folding Rear Seat Feature	✓	—
Pass-Thru Center Armrest	✓	—
Reclining Rear Seats	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Volkswagen	Kia
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	215/55R H	P215/55R17
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Inside Mounted

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Volkswagen	Kia
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.	5 yr./ 100000 mi.
Roadside Assistance	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	2 yr./ 20000 mi.	—

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Volkswagen Taos and 2026 Kia Seltos.

Is the difference in horsepower noticeable between the 2025 Taos and 2026 Seltos?

Yes, the Taos offers a significant boost with 174 hp compared to the Seltos's 147 hp, which is a 27 hp advantage. This difference should translate to noticeably quicker acceleration, especially when the vehicles are fully loaded.

How do the fuel economy ratings compare for these two small crossovers?

Both vehicles are excellent on gas, as they share an identical 31 MPG combined rating. They both achieve 28 MPG in city driving, though the Taos ekes out 36 MPG highway versus the Seltos’s 34 MPG highway.

Which vehicle offers more space for groceries or luggage?

The 2025 Volkswagen Taos provides slightly more usable space, offering 27.9 cubic feet of cargo capacity. The 2026 Kia Seltos follows closely behind with 26.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats.

Is there a significant price gap between the base models?

There is a noticeable difference in the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price. The Seltos starts at $23,690, undercutting the Taos, which begins at $25,495.

What type of transmissions do these front-wheel-drive models use?

The Taos utilizes an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission, which often appeals to drivers who like more control over shifting. Conversely, the Seltos is equipped with a continuously variable-speed automatic transmission (CVT).