2025 Volkswagen Taos SEL 4Motion Review

Written By: Jerry Reynolds | Aug 5, 2025 5:03:13 PM

This week I bring you another compact SUV to consider in this overly-loaded segment. As I say on the show, the compact SUV segment is one of the hardest for me to choose from, because literally, just about every automaker has a great entry. The Taos was completely redone in 2022 and undergoes a light refresh for 2025.

My review vehicle is the top-of-the-line SEL trim and it starts at under $35,000 fully loaded. That price includes the fact that it has 4Motion, the VW all-wheel drive system. It automatically distributes power between the front and rear wheels as needed, enhancing traction and stability in slippery or uneven conditions. It is seamless and will kick in automatically when needed, nothing further to do for the driver.

Exterior

I like the looks of this SUV, especially in the Monterey Blue color. There are lights that run all the way across the front fascia, and thin LED headlights that look sleek and modern.

The front grill has a Lexus vibe going and it looks just a little angry, actually. Black cladding surrounds the wheel wells and runs along the bottom between the doors, and this makes a nice accent for the sharp-looking 19” black wheels.

The rearview is especially nice with LED taillights, an illuminated VW badge, and functional square dual exhaust built into the rear bumper. A good-sized spoiler completes the 2025 exterior refresh.

Powertrain

Under the hood you’ll find a revised naturally aspirated 1.5liter TSI turbocharged inline-4 engine that delivers about 174-horses and 184 pound-foot of torque, reflecting a 16 horsepower bump over the previous generation. Volkswagen achieved this with upgrades like a larger intercooler, tweaked fuel injectors, and a required gasoline particulate filter.

This engine is mated to a smooth-shifting eight-speed conventional automatic transmission, replacing the old seven-speed DSG dual-clutch unit, particularly on 4Motion models. That combo eliminates the DSG’s abrupt or jerky behavior, improves power delivery, and contributes to better refinement and improved fuel economy versus the previous setup. It does have start/stop, but there is a button to disable it.

Interior

Let’s take a look at this very well-done cabin. The refreshed cabin of the 2025 VW Taos SEL 4Motion delivers a more refined and upscale feel, starting with soft-touch materials and contrast stitching that extends across the dash and door panels.

The dashboard layout is clean and modern, centered around a standard 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with built-in navigation, Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a wireless charging pad. A 10.25-inch fully digital instrument cluster comes standard on the SEL, offering configurable views and sharp graphics. Look up and you’ll see a power panoramic moon roof with a power sliding cover.

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Front passengers enjoy two-tone leather-trimmed, power-adjustable seats with both heating and ventilation, while rear seat occupants benefit from surprisingly large legroom, adjustable A/C vents, and a fold-down center armrest with cupholders.

The cargo area is also generous for the class, offering nearly 25 cubic feet behind the rear seats and over 60 cubic feet with the second row folded, and the seats fold very flat and are easy to raise and lower.

The Taos retains familiar physical controls for essential functions, but touch-sensitive climate sliders and a compact gear selector bring a more modern edge, although not as easy to operate.

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The overall interior strikes a smart balance between comfort, tech, and usability, making it feel more expensive than its price suggests. You can choose drive modes from the center console that include: Eco, Normal, Sport, and Custom.

Standard Features

Standard features on the Taos SEL include: Leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, a power driver’s seat with lumbar support, dual-zone automatic climate control, a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel, an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless device charging, keyless access with push-button start, remote start, ambient interior lighting, a 10.25-inch fully digital instrument cluster, satellite radio, a premium Beats audio system with subwoofer, rain-sensing wipers, LED headlights and taillights, 19-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic sunroof, silver roof rails. Sadly missing is a power liftgate, which I would have expected on the SEL trim.

Safety

Standard safety features include the full IQ.DRIVE suite with adaptive cruise control, lane keeping system, front assist with forward collision warning and autonomous emergency braking, pedestrian monitoring, blind spot monitoring, rear traffic alert, and emergency assist. Additional safety systems include automatic high beam control, a rearview camera, tire pressure monitoring, intelligent crash response, automatic post-collision braking, electronic stability control, and electronic brake-force distribution. These features work together to enhance driver awareness, support safer decision-making, and help protect occupants in the event of an accident.

Options

My tester has no options except a small $395 for the 19” alloy wheels, which is a great buy.

Ride and Drive

The Taos rides and handles very well, quite sporty for a small SUV. Visibility is great, and interior noise is much better than I’ve had with many small SUVs. For me personally, I’d like some more horses under the hood, but if you are looking for fuel economy, it does well at 25 city, 33 highway, and a very good 28 combined.

Verdict

Price-wise, it is one of the better buys out there for an all-wheel drive with an extremely long list of standard features and a very nice interior. MSRP as equipped on this one is $36,515 before discounts and rebates.