2025 Volkswagen Taos vs 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
Comparison Overview
The battle between the 2025 Volkswagen Taos and the 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport pits eager efficiency against rugged capability. The Taos draws first blood with its spirited 174 horsepower and excellent 31 MPG combined rating, promising more pep for your daily drive. Conversely, the Outlander Sport captivates buyers with standard All-Wheel Drive (AWD) and a lower starting MSRP of $24,995, although its 148 horsepower feels noticeably less potent. While the Taos enjoys superior highway cruising with 36 MPG, the Outlander Sport compensates by being slightly smaller (171.9 inches long versus the Taos's 175.9 inches) and offers AWD grip for adverse conditions. The 26 horsepower deficit in the Mitsubishi is clear on paper, but its lower price and standard AWD present a compelling argument against the Taos’s superior powertrain and fuel economy.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Volkswagen Taos
The 2025 Taos wins for commuters due to its segment-leading 31 MPG combined efficiency.
2026 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
The 2026 Outlander Sport is preferred by families needing the security of standard All-Wheel Drive.
2025 Volkswagen Taos
Enthusiasts will gravitate towards the Taos for its punchier 174 horsepower output compared to the Outlander Sport's 148 hp.
2026 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
The Outlander Sport offers a compelling initial value proposition with its $24,995 starting price and standard AWD.
Choose the Volkswagen Taos if...
- You prioritize highway cruising comfort, thanks to its 36 MPG highway rating.
- You want the responsiveness provided by the 174 hp engine and 184 lb-ft of torque.
- You need the larger interior volume, offering 27.9 cubic feet of cargo capacity.
Choose the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport if...
- All-Weather security is paramount, as it comes standard with All-Wheel Drive.
- Keeping the upfront cost low is the main driver, starting at $24,995.
- Maneuverability in tight city spots is key, being 4 inches shorter in length than the Taos.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Volkswagen Taos | Mitsubishi Outlander Sport |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 175.9" | 171.9" |
| Width | 72.5" | 71.3" |
| Height | 64.5" | 64.8" |
| Wheelbase | 105.9" | 105.1" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Volkswagen | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | — | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Volkswagen | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 148 hp @ 6000 rpm |
| Torque | 184 lb-ft @ 1750 rpm | 145 lb-ft @ 4200 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 | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 8-speed shiftable automatic | continuously variable-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | front wheel drive | all wheel drive |
Fuel
| Feature | Volkswagen | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 28/36 MPG | 23/29 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 31 MPG | 26 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 369.6/475.2 mi. | 363.4/458.2 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 13.2 gal. | 15.8 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Volkswagen | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | — | ✓ |
| Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Volkswagen | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Android Auto (Wired) | — | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wired) | — | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | — | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | — | 3 months |
Power Feature
| Feature | Volkswagen | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Remote Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| One-Touch Power Windows | — | 1 |
Frontseats
| Feature | Volkswagen | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 40.7 in. | 39.4 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 40.1 in. | 41.6 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 56.5 in. | 56.2 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 | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 39.8 in. | 37.9 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 37.9 in. | 36.3 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 55.2 in. | 55.5 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 45.4 in. | 51.6 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Rear Seat Feature | ✓ | — |
| Pass-Thru Center Armrest | ✓ | — |
| Folding Center Armrest | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Volkswagen | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | — |
| Wheel Size | 17 x 7.0 in | 16 x 6.5 in |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 215/55R H | P215/70R16 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Inside Mounted | Inside Mounted |
| Wheel Material | — | Steel |
| Wheel Cover Type | — | Full |
Suspension
| Feature | Volkswagen | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Front Suspension Type | Independent | — |
| Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | — |
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | — | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | — | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | — | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Volkswagen | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| 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./ 100000 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 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport.
How much better is the fuel economy of the 2025 Taos versus the 2026 Outlander Sport?
The Volkswagen Taos offers a significant edge in fuel efficiency, achieving 31 MPG combined compared to the Outlander Sport’s 26 MPG combined rating. This translates to roughly 5 MPG better performance across mixed driving cycles.
Is the performance difference noticeable between the two crossovers?
Yes, the performance gap is substantial; the Taos delivers 174 horsepower, which is 26 horsepower more than the Outlander Sport’s 148 hp. This difference should make the Taos feel quicker when accelerating onto highways.
Which car comes standard with AWD for poor weather driving?
The 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport is equipped with standard All-Wheel Drive, which is a key advantage over the front-wheel-drive configuration of the base 2025 Volkswagen Taos.
How do the cargo capacities compare for hauling gear?
The Taos offers substantially more room for luggage, boasting 27.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats. The Outlander Sport provides a tighter 21.7 cubic feet in the same configuration.
If budget is the top concern, which crossover is the clear winner?
The 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport wins on initial purchase price with an MSRP of $24,995, slightly undercutting the Volkswagen Taos’s starting price of $25,495.
Do both vehicles use the same type of fuel?
Both the 2025 Volkswagen Taos and the 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport are designed to run efficiently on regular unleaded fuel, meaning no premium requirement for either model.
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