The 2026 Volkswagen Taos gets 28 to 31 miles per gallon combined, depending on the version. The best is the 2026 Taos at 31 mpg.
In the Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD class for 2026, the Taos ranks 11th (tied with 4 others) of 31 for combined mileage (31 mpg), 10th (tied with 4 others) of 31 for yearly fuel cost ($2,000 for its cheapest version, cheapest first) and 12th (tied with 2 others) of 31 for tailpipe CO2 (287 grams per mile for its lowest version, lowest first). The middle model of the class gets 30 mpg, costs $2,100 a year and puts out 297 grams per mile.
Across all 235 2026 models in the file that burn fuel, the middle best-version figure is 24 mpg and the highest is 57 mpg (Toyota Prius). Of the 234 other models, 41 get more miles per gallon than the 2026 Taos's best version, 8 other models get the same and 185 get less. The 2026 Taos's cheapest version costs $2,000 a year to fuel by the agency's figure; of the 225 other models with a cost figure, 36 cost less, 4 the same and 185 more.
Open the best-mileage list of this class for 2026. Cost and CO2 in the table are each model's lowest figure over its versions; plug-in hybrid and fuel-cell versions have no fuel cost and are left out of the cost column.
| Place | Model | Best version | mpg | Fuel a year, cheapest version | CO2 g/mi, lowest version |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 2026 Hyundai Kona | 2026 Kona FWD | 31 | $2,000 | 284 |
| 11 | 2026 Hyundai Venue | 2026 Venue | 31 | $2,000 | 291 |
| 11 | 2026 Nissan Kicks | 2026 Kicks | 31 | $2,000 | 287 |
| 11 | 2026 Volkswagen TaosThis car | 2026 Taos | 31 | $2,000 | 287 |
| 16 | 2026 Buick Encore | 2026 Encore GX FWD | 30 | $2,100 | 297 |
| 17 | 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan | 2026 Tiguan S | 29 | $2,150 | 307 |
| 18 | 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander | 2026 Outlander 2WD | 28 | $2,200 | 314 |
Pick a 2026 version, then set your miles and fuel price. Fuel price as of 2026-11-14, U.S. Department of Energy / EPA. The price box starts at the dated price of the fuel the picked version burns (regular, midgrade or premium gasoline, diesel, E85 or electricity) and sets the price of that fuel. Miles are limited to 1,000 to 60,000 a year and the price to $0.01 to $20.00; a value outside that is worked out at the nearest limit.
2026 Taos, 4-cyl 1.5 L: 28 mpg city, 36 highway, 31 combined. The agency's own estimate for the 2026 Taos version is $2,000 a year (15,000 miles, the agency's fuel prices).
The 3 nearest rivals in the Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD class for 2026, picked by closest combined mileage; only versions with a fuel-cost figure are listed. Same miles as on the left. The price box on the left is the price of the fuel of the version you picked: a rival that burns the same fuel uses that price, a rival that burns another fuel keeps the dated price of its own fuel. The 5-year line is 5 times the yearly gap.
Both cost the same to fuel.
Over 5 years both cost the same to fuel at these miles and these prices.
Dollar gaps use each car's best-mileage version.
| Rival in 2026 | Best version | Combined | Fuel a year, agency (15,000 miles) | Against the Taos (mileage) | Agency yearly fuel cost against the Taos | Side by side |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer | 2026 Trailblazer FWD | 31 mpg | $2,000 | same figure | same | Compare |
| 2026 Hyundai Kona | 2026 Kona FWD | 31 mpg | $2,000 | same figure | same | Compare |
| 2026 Hyundai Venue | 2026 Venue | 31 mpg | $2,000 | same figure | same | Compare |
EPA test figures for 2026; the last column is the yearly fuel cost against the cheapest version.
| Version | Engine | Gearbox | Drive | City | Highway | Combined | Fuel a year | CO2 g/mi | Fuel vs cheapest |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Taos | 4-cyl 1.5 L | Automatic (S8) | Front-wheel | 28 | 36 | 31 | $2,000 | 287 | cheapest |
| 2026 Taos 4motion | 4-cyl 1.5 L | Automatic (S8) | 4-wheel | 25 | 33 | 28 | $2,200 | 318 | +$200 |
Enter the price difference you were quoted for the 2026 Taos; this page has no prices. Miles come from the calculator. The fuel price box there sets the price of the fuel of the version picked there; a version here that burns another fuel keeps the dated price of its own fuel. Versions with no fuel-cost figure are not listed.
Type the price difference you were quoted to see the payback.
Tailpipe CO2: the 2026 Taos puts out 287 grams per mile; across the 2 tested versions the figure runs from 287 to 318.
EPA scores (1 to 10, 10 best) for the 2026 Taos: fuel economy score 6 (5 to 6 across versions), greenhouse gas score 6 (5 to 6 across versions).
Best combined figure of the Taos gas version each model year since 2016, set against the 2026 model.
| Model year | Best gas version | Versions tested | Against 2026 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 31 mpg | 2 | same as 2026 | |
| 2023 | 31 mpg | 2 | same as 2026 | |
| 2024 | 31 mpg | 2 | same as 2026 | |
| 2025 | 31 mpg | 2 | same as 2026 | |
| 2026This page | 31 mpg | 2 | this page |
Compared with the 2025 model: 2 versions were tested then and 2 now; the best figure went from 31 to 31 mpg (no change).
| Version in 2026 | 2026 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Taos, 4-cyl 1.5 L | 31 mpg | 31 mpg | no change |
| 2026 Taos 4motion, 4-cyl 1.5 L | 28 mpg | no like-for-like version in 2025 | no match |
1 2025 version has no match in 2026.
Crash-test stars from the U.S. safety agency's 5-Star Safety Ratings, checked 2026-11-14. 5 is the best.
| Vehicle | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 VOLKSWAGEN TAOS SUV N/A AWD | 4 of 5 | 4 of 5 | 5 of 5 | 4 of 5 |
| 2026 VOLKSWAGEN TAOS SUV N/A FWD | 4 of 5 | 4 of 5 | 5 of 5 | 4 of 5 |
The agency lists 2 variants; all 2 are shown.
The agency's record for the first rated vehicle also lists 4 complaints, 1 recall, 0 investigations.
4 complaints for the 2026 Volkswagen Taos are on file (checked 2026-11-14). Complaints are reports that owners sent to the safety agency. They are not proven defects, and the counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold.
| Part named in the reports | Reports | |
|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 1 | |
| Structure | 1 | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 1 |
0 of the 4 reports say the car was in a crash, 0 mention a fire and 0 mention an injury. One report can name more than one part.
1 recall is on file for the 2026 Volkswagen Taos at the U.S. safety agency (checked 2026-11-14). A dealer does recall repairs free of charge.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Taos vehicles. In the event of a rear-end crash, the fuel pressure sensor may dislodge or separate from the fuel tank.
Fix: Dealers will install a fuel pressure sensor wiring harness extension, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 4, 2026.
Other 2026 models of the same agency class, each with its best combined figure. The Taos itself is at 31 mpg.
More Volkswagen models that have a 2026 page here, with the class of each and its best combined figure.
The 2026 Taos with 31 mpg combined (28 city, 36 highway).
The 2026 Volkswagen Taos costs between $2,000 and $2,200 to fuel by the agency's estimate, which assumes 15,000 miles a year. The cheapest is the 2026 Taos at $2,000; the dearest is the 2026 Taos 4motion at $2,200. Use the calculator above for your own miles and fuel price.
2026 Taos 4motion: 28 mpg combined (25 city, 33 highway).
The 2026 Volkswagen Taos is 11th of 31 for combined mileage. The top of the class is the 2026 Kia Niro at 53 mpg, and the middle figure for the class is 30 mpg. In the list, the next one ahead is the 2026 Nissan Kicks at 31 mpg and the next one behind is the 2026 Buick Encore at 30 mpg.
The 2025 model had 2 tested versions and the 2026 model has 2. The best figure went from 31 to 31 mpg (no change).
In the agency's 5-Star Safety Ratings (checked 2026-11-14; 5 is the best), the stars are 2026 VOLKSWAGEN TAOS SUV N/A AWD: overall 4 of 5, front 4, side 5, rollover 4; 2026 VOLKSWAGEN TAOS SUV N/A FWD: overall 4 of 5, front 4, side 5, rollover 4. The agency lists 2 variants; all 2 are shown.
4 complaints for the 2026 Volkswagen Taos are on file at the safety agency (checked 2026-11-14); the part named most often is Power Train (1 report). Complaints are reports owners sent in, not proven defects.
The agency's database lists 1 recall for the 2026 Volkswagen Taos (checked 2026-11-14). They are listed above with the repair the maker offers.
For the 2026 Volkswagen Taos: EPA file 2026-11-04; fuel price 2026-11-14; crash tests 2026-11-14; complaints 2026-11-14; recalls 2026-11-14. Not covered: purchase price, towing, reliability, repair and insurance costs.
Mileage and fuel cost for the 2026 Volkswagen Taos: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, fueleconomy.gov vehicle file (file dated 2026-11-04). Recalls for the 2026 Volkswagen Taos: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (checked 2026-11-14). Crash-test ratings for the 2026 Volkswagen Taos: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (checked 2026-11-14). Complaints for the 2026 Volkswagen Taos: NHTSA (checked 2026-11-14). Fuel prices: U.S. Department of Energy / EPA (2026-11-14). Your own mileage depends on how and where you drive. Where our numbers come from.