Taos vs. Tiguan: A Volkswagen Comparison

• The Volkswagen Taos and Tiguan offer distinct experiences; Taos is more affordable and fuel-efficient, while Tiguan provides more space and trim options.
• Taos is designed for fuel efficiency and city driving, with a smaller engine but more rear legroom in certain configurations.
• Tiguan can seat up to seven with three-row configurations in FWD models, featuring a larger engine and more cargo space in AWD models.
• Both models feature modern technology and safety features, but Tiguan has a higher towing capacity and slightly better off-road capability.

Short of lining up the Volkswagen Taos and Tiguan on a car lot and spending the entire day comparing features, quickly distinguishing between the two can require an experienced eye. Check out the table below for a quick overview of the key differences between the VW Taos and Tiguan: 

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Volkswagen starts pricing on the 2024 Taos at $23,995 for the S model. SE variants cost $28,165, while SEL models top out at $33,515. In contrast, the Tiguan S starts roughly $5,000 higher at $28,880. SE models cost $31,580, the SE R-Line Black model is $3,000 more, and, finally, the SEL R-Line costs $38,880. 

The Volkswagen Taos seats up to five passengers and offers 37.9 inches of rear legroom. The Taos’ wheelbase is 105.9 inches, while its overall length measures 175.8 inches. Without mirrors, the Taos comes to 72.5 inches wide and sits 64.4 inches tall. 

Front-wheel drive Tiguan models have a seven-passenger seating capacity in a three-row configuration, while AWD models can only seat up to five between two rows. The 2024 Tiguan is 186.1 inches long with a 109.9-inch wheelbase, measuring 72.4 inches wide without mirrors and 66.5 inches in height. Legroom in the FWD variants measures 36.6 inches in the second row and 27.9 inches in the third. On two-row AWD models, rear legroom measures 38.7 inches. 

The 2024 VW Tiguan has cloth and leather seating (depending on trim), a leather steering wheel, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a power driver’s seat on the SE model. SE R-Line Black models have an available panoramic sunroof, ambient lighting, and an Easy Open & Easy Close remote liftgate. Cargo space behind the front seat maxes out at 73.4 cubic feet on the AWD model. Front-wheel-drive models offer 12 cubic feet behind the third row and 33 cubic feet behind the second row, for a total of up to 65.3 cubic feet of cargo volume. 

Compare that to the 65.9 cubic feet of maximum cargo space in the 2024 Volkswagen Taos. The Taos offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, an eight-way power driver’s seat, a heated leather steering wheel, and ambient interior lighting. Heated and ventilated front seats are available, depending on trim. 

The Volkswagen Taos and Tiguan twins mirror the larger Atlas and Atlas Sport models in sharing similar features but offering a slightly different approach to German SUVs. The Taos offers broader lines with dynamic accents, giving it a sporty look. The new Tiguan borrows cues from big brother Atlas with a three-lined grille broken by the characteristic Volkswagen badge, tucked headlights, and bowtie-like air vents that finish off the front bumper. 

While the 2024 Tiguan has a max towing capacity of 1,500 pounds, the brand doesn’t advise towing with the Taos. Equipping the Taos with a tow hitch could unlock a payload of around 800 pounds. However, this Volkswagen is more of a grocery-getter than a toy hauler any day. 

The Taos has a single engine: the 1.5-liter turbo four-cylinder. This engine puts out 158 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. It can be paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, but the SEL variants use a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. All-wheel drive is available. 

Volkswagen equips the Tiguan SEL R-Line with standard AWD. The engine powering this midsize SUV is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 184 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque. This larger four-cylinder is also mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. 

In terms of fuel efficiency, the Taos and Tiguan post similar ratings: 

The base Taos has the highest fuel-efficiency ratings. The lowest is the Tiguan S, with only 24 combined MPG. Comparatively, the Taos models lose four points when switching to AWD variants, while the Tiguan model only loses a point in all categories. 

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan scored “Good” ratings in all Crashworthiness categories from the IIHS. However, the 2024 VW Taos scored “Good” in all the same categories except for the “Small overlap front: passenger-side” test, where it scored an “Acceptable” rating. Front-wheel-drive and AWD versions of the 2024 Taos received similar ratings from the NHTSA, with four out of five stars in the overall safety rating. The FWD and AWD models of the 2024 Tiguan received a similar rating from the NHTSA, with the caution that the driver door unlatched and opened during the impact test, increasing the chances for the driver to be ejected. 

Volkswagen’s standard safety features include: 

• Travel Assist
• Emergency Assist
• Rear Traffic Assist
• Lane Assist
• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Front Assist
• Active Blind Spot Monitor

The available Driver Assistance features include Parking Distance Control, Light Assist, Dynamic Road Sign Display, and Area View. 

Technological features on the 2024 Taos include a 6.5-inch touchscreen on base S models, Bluetooth, and Volkswagen Digital Cockpit connectivity. SE models feature an eight-inch infotainment touchscreen, incorporating navigation on the SEL model. Remote start, keyless entry, wireless charging, and push-button start are standard on the SE, while the SEL gets a BeatsAudio sound system. 

The new VW Tiguan incorporates similar features on equivalent trim models, with the same 6.5-inch infotainment system touchscreen on base S models. The SE and SE R-Line Black models have wireless charging, an eight-inch touchscreen (with navigation on the higher trim), and a Fender premium sound system. The SEL R-line also features ventilated front seats. 

One of the tricks car salesmen use to seal the deal is getting you to admit you want a car before you’ve even started talking about numbers. However, the Volkswagen Taos makes a great addition to your garage if you’re looking for a compact SUV that hits all the right marks regarding crossovers but also offers fuel efficiency. The Taos nimbly maneuvers around city streets and also provides enough cargo space to accommodate a few suitcases for that cross-country trip. If you’re looking for an SUV to grow into, the Taos fits the bill. 

On the other hand, the Volkswagen Tiguan has always straddled the line between a too-small SUV and a bulky crossover that makes parking in tight spaces more challenging. Volkswagen has spent more time developing the Tiguan throughout the years, similar to the Touareg nameplate. However, it’s a viable option if you don’t need the sheer passenger and cargo capacity of the Atlas but want something a bit larger than a compact.