2025 Volkswagen Taos vs 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross
Comparison Overview
The 2025 Volkswagen Taos enters the ring bringing more punch, boasting 174 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque from its spirited engine, while the slightly pricier (by $560) 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross counters with superior fuel sipping, achieving a combined 32 MPG compared to the Taos's 31 MPG. The VW feels eager thanks to its robust torque figure and 8-speed transmission, offering a dynamic edge. Conversely, the Corolla Cross leans into efficiency with its exceptional 31 MPG city rating, edging out the Taos’s 28 MPG in urban settings. Though both are compact crossovers—the Taos at 175.9 inches long and the Corolla Cross at 176.1 inches—the Taos offers significantly more utility with 27.9 cu ft of cargo space versus the Corolla Cross's 24 cu ft. For drivers prioritizing accessible performance and space, the Taos excels; for pure, economical commuting, the Corolla Cross holds a slight edge.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2026 Toyota Corolla Cross
The 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross wins for commuters due to its superior 32 MPG combined fuel economy, making daily trips cheaper.
2025 Volkswagen Taos
The 2025 Volkswagen Taos is better for families as it offers substantially more utility with 27.9 cubic feet of cargo capacity compared to the Corolla Cross's 24 cubic feet.
2025 Volkswagen Taos
Enthusiasts will prefer the Taos because its 174 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque significantly outpace the Corolla Cross's 169 hp and 151 lb-ft.
2026 Toyota Corolla Cross
The 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross presents slightly better value given its lower MSRP of $24,935 and marginally better fuel efficiency.
Choose the Volkswagen Taos if...
- You prioritize driving engagement and want 184 lb-ft of torque for quicker acceleration.
- You need maximum flexibility, benefiting from the Taos's larger 27.9 cu ft cargo capacity.
- You prefer the engagement of a traditional 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission over a CVT.
Choose the Toyota Corolla Cross if...
- You are focused purely on maximizing fuel savings with a combined 32 MPG rating.
- You want the lowest upfront cost with an MSRP starting at $24,935.
- You drive primarily in stop-and-go traffic, where its 31 MPG city rating is highly beneficial.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Volkswagen Taos | Toyota Corolla Cross |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 175.9" | 176.1" |
| Width | 72.5" | 71.9" |
| Height | 64.5" | 64.9" |
| Wheelbase | 105.9" | 103.9" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Volkswagen | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags | — | ✓ |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | — | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Volkswagen | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 169 hp @ 6600 rpm |
| Torque | 184 lb-ft @ 1750 rpm | 151 lb-ft @ 4400 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 | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 8-speed shiftable automatic | continuously variable-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | front wheel drive | front wheel drive |
Fuel
| Feature | Volkswagen | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 28/36 MPG | 31/33 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 31 MPG | 32 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 369.6/475.2 mi. | 384.4/409.2 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 13.2 gal. | 12.4 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Volkswagen | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Ventilation Ducts | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Volkswagen | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | — | With Real Time Traffic |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | — | 3 months |
| Speed Sensitive Volume Control | — | ✓ |
Power Feature
| Feature | Volkswagen | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Remote Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Volkswagen | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 40.7 in. | 38.6 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 40.1 in. | 42.9 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 56.5 in. | 52.7 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 53.9 in. | 52.6 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 | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 39.8 in. | 39.0 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 37.9 in. | 32.0 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 55.2 in. | 52.4 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 45.4 in. | 43.8 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Rear Seat Feature | ✓ | — |
| Pass-Thru Center Armrest | ✓ | — |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Volkswagen | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | — |
| Wheel Size | 17 x 7.0 in | — |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 215/55R H | P215/65R17 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | — |
| Spare Tire Location | Inside Mounted | — |
| Wheel Material | — | Steel |
| Wheel Cover Type | — | Full |
| Wheel Diameter | — | 17 in |
Suspension
| Feature | Volkswagen | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Front Suspension Type | Independent | Independent |
| Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | — |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | — | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | — | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Volkswagen | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 2 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | 2 yr./ 20000 mi. | 2 yr./ 25000 mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Volkswagen Taos and 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross.
Which crossover is more powerful for passing maneuvers?
The 2025 Volkswagen Taos is the clear winner in raw power, producing 174 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. This notably surpasses the 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross's 169 hp and significantly higher 151 lb-ft torque figure, making the Taos feel punchier on the open road.
How big is the difference in daily fuel costs between these two?
The Corolla Cross offers a slight financial advantage for daily driving, achieving 32 MPG combined versus the Taos’s 31 MPG combined. Furthermore, the Corolla Cross boasts 31 MPG in the city, outperforming the Taos’s 28 MPG city rating.
If I haul gear frequently, which crossover is the better choice?
Space matters for family hauling, and the Volkswagen Taos provides 27.9 cubic feet of cargo capacity, which is significantly more practical than the Corolla Cross’s 24 cubic feet. This difference of nearly 4 cubic feet can hold bulky items better.
Are the driving dynamics very different given the transmissions?
Yes, the driving feel will differ; the Taos uses an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission that offers distinct gear changes. In contrast, the Corolla Cross employs a continuously variable-speed automatic (CVT), which provides smoother, non-step acceleration tailored for efficiency.
How close are the vehicle sizes externally?
These crossovers are nearly identical in footprint, with the Taos measuring 175.9 inches long and the Corolla Cross at 176.1 inches long, so maneuverability should be very similar. The Corolla Cross is slightly taller at 64.9 inches compared to the Taos’s 64.5 inches.
Do either of these vehicles require premium gasoline?
Fortunately, neither the 2025 Volkswagen Taos nor the 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross demands premium fuel; both are specified to run on economical regular unleaded gasoline.
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