2026 Subaru Crosstrek vs 2026 Volkswagen Taos

$26,995 · Crossover

$26,500 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The most significant numerical divergence between the 2026 Volkswagen Taos and the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek lies in cargo utility, where the Taos offers 27.9 cu ft compared to the Crosstrek's 19.9 cu ft, an 8.0 cubic foot advantage. The Taos, priced at $26,500, undercuts the Crosstrek's $26,995 MSRP by $495. Power delivery favors the Crosstrek slightly, producing 180 hp versus the Taos's 174 hp, although the Taos secures a 6 lb-ft torque advantage (184 vs. 178 lb-ft). Fuel economy benchmarks show the FWD Taos achieving 31 MPG combined (28/36 MPG), exceeding the AWD Crosstrek's 29 MPG combined (26/33 MPG). Dimensionally, the Taos is notably taller at 64.5 inches compared to the Crosstrek's 62.8 inches, influencing interior headroom and overall stance.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Volkswagen Taos

The Volkswagen Taos wins for commuters due to its superior combined fuel economy rating of 31 MPG versus the Crosstrek's 29 MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Volkswagen Taos

The Taos is the definitive choice for families, offering 27.9 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Crosstrek's restrictive 19.9 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Subaru Crosstrek

The Subaru Crosstrek appeals more to driving enthusiasts with its standard All-Wheel Drive and slightly higher 180 hp output.

💰 Best Value

2026 Volkswagen Taos

The Volkswagen Taos provides better base value, with a lower MSRP of $26,500 and higher fuel efficiency.

Choose the Subaru Crosstrek if...

You require standard All-Wheel Drive traction for adverse weather conditions.
You prefer the marginally higher peak horsepower rating of 180 hp.
You favor a vehicle with the smaller overall footprint, measuring 176.4 inches in length.

Choose the Volkswagen Taos if...

Maximizing cargo space is essential, given its 27.9 cu ft capacity.
Achieving 31 MPG combined fuel economy is a primary metric.
You want the lowest entry price point at $26,500.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Subaru Crosstrek	Volkswagen Taos
Length	176.4"	175.9"
Width	70.9"	72.5"
Height	62.8"	64.5"
Wheelbase	105.1"	105.9"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Subaru	Volkswagen
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Dual Rear 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 Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	—
Brake Preparation System	✓	—
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Adaptive Headlights	✓	—
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	3	3
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	—
Engine Immobilizer	✓	—
Blind Spot Monitor	—	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	—	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	—	✓
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Subaru	Volkswagen
Base Engine Displacement	2.5 L	1.5 L
Number of Cylinders	flat 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	180 hp @ 5800 rpm	174 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque	178 lb-ft @ 3700 rpm	184 lb-ft @ 1750 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	Subaru	Volkswagen
Transmission Type	continuously variable-speed automatic	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	front wheel drive
Center Differential Type	Limited Slip	—
Hill Descent Control	✓	—

Fuel

Feature	Subaru	Volkswagen
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	26/33 MPG	28/36 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	29 MPG	31 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	431.6/547.8 mi.	369.6/475.2 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	16.6 gal.	13.2 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Subaru	Volkswagen
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	—
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls 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	✓	✓
Single Zone Climate Control	✓	✓
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Leatherette Steering Wheel	—	✓
Heated Steering Wheel	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Subaru	Volkswagen
Infotainment Display	7.0 in	8.0 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	4	4
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
Auxiliary Audio Input	✓	—
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	—
Satellite Radio Trial Length	4 months	—
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	—	✓

Power Feature

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

Frontseats

Feature	Subaru	Volkswagen
Front Head Room	39.8 in.	40.7 in.
Front Leg Room	42.9 in.	40.1 in.
Front Shoulder Room	56.8 in.	56.5 in.
Front Hip Room	55.1 in.	53.9 in.
Seat Material: Cloth	✓	✓
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	6-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	4-way	6-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	—	✓

Rearseats

Feature	Subaru	Volkswagen
Rear Head Room	38.0 in.	39.8 in.
Rear Leg Room	36.5 in.	37.9 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	55.3 in.	55.2 in.
Rear Hip Room	53.2 in.	45.4 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Folding Rear Seat Feature	—	✓
Pass-Thru Center Armrest	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Subaru	Volkswagen
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	P225/60R17	215/55R H
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Inside Mounted

Suspension

Feature	Subaru	Volkswagen
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	—
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	—
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	—
Front Suspension Type	—	Independent
Stabilizer Bar	—	✓

Warranty

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek and 2026 Volkswagen Taos.

What is the key difference in drivetrain between these two crossovers?

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek comes standard with All-Wheel Drive, whereas the base 2026 Volkswagen Taos is equipped with Front Wheel Drive. This impacts traction capabilities in low-grip situations.

Which vehicle offers more passenger and cargo utility?

The Volkswagen Taos is significantly more capacious, boasting 27.9 cu ft of cargo space against the Crosstrek's 19.9 cu ft. Additionally, the Taos is taller by 1.7 inches.

How do the engine outputs compare directly?

The Crosstrek produces a peak of 180 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque, slightly outpacing the Taos's 174 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. While the Crosstrek has more horsepower, the Taos has more torque.

Is there a significant MSRP difference between the base models?

Yes, the Volkswagen Taos has a lower Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) at $26,500, making it $495 cheaper than the Subaru Crosstrek's starting price of $26,995.