Volkswagen Taos vs. Volkswagen Tiguan: We Break Down The Differences

Published October 19, 2022
in Model Info

2022 Volkswagen Taos by Mr.choppers— CC BY-SA 3.0

Differences

At first glance comparing Volkswagen Taos vs. Volkswagen Tiguan might not seem necessary, the two look like very similar vehicles, but there are some key differences consumers should know about before deciding which vehicle is right for them.

For one thing, the Taos is a significantly smaller crossover vehicle, while the Tiguan is a larger SUV designed for bigger families, hauling more cargo, or just taking longer trips.

The Tiguan also offers more seating, while the Taos may be more practical for buyers looking to save on gas and get good fuel economy.

Those are just some of the core differences between these vehicles. There are other differences in performance, safety, and driver assists, as well as in the amenities you’ll find in the cabin.

Want to know the details of Volkswagen Taos vs. Volkswagen Tiguan? Keep reading:

Performance

Performance and safety are often tied as the two most important aspects of any vehicle, especially after you’ve already decided what size and general vehicle type you’re interested in.

Of the two, performance is where a lot more variation tends to happen between models. Almost all vehicle manufacturers, especially Volkswagen, want to go well on safety tests and ratings, which means that most vehicles are in a similar ballpark in those tests.

But performance? This is where a lot of your dollars are spent in terms of design and what parts are chosen for each vehicle.

Both the Taos and Tiguan have some performance similarities. For instance, both use VW’s new 4-cylinder inline turbocharged engine, and it works well for both vehicles. However, it’s a little perkier in the Taos thanks to the smaller and lighter design.

The difference in weight also shows up in the fuel economy of both vehicles. While CarAndDriver.com rated the Tiguan’s combined fuel economy at 26mpg, they rated the Taos at 31mpg combined.

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Given the price of fuel, that’s a significant difference not just in fuel economy but also in the cost to keep these vehicles on the road.

In terms of acceleration, there was another notable difference. While the Tiguan took 9.1 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 60, the Taos took just 7.4 seconds for the same acceleration, also according to CarAndDriver.com.

When it comes to Volkswagen Taos vs. Volkswagen Tiguan, this category has a clear winner. The Taos is a more efficient vehicle, accelerates faster, and uses less gas than its larger competitor.

However, because of the size difference between these two vehicles, it would be a big surprise if that weren’t the case. Let’s look at some other categories to see which vehicle is ready to come out on top.

Safety Features

Like most manufacturers, Volkswagen offers a very similar suite of safety features between different models. While not all vehicles get the exact same features, you can expect a lot of crossover and generally similar ratings from their vehicles.

While the Taos hasn’t been NHTSA rated, the Tiguan performs reasonably well in every category except frontal crashes, where it only gets 3 stars.

Both cars offer the three core features of VW safety and driver’s assistance for their modern lineup:

Automated braking and forward-collision warning
Lane assist with lane departure warnings
Blind-spot monitoring
Adaptive cruise control.

Additionally, the Tiguan offers a semi-autonomous driving mode that lets you relax while the vehicle takes over.

These are all pretty standard for vehicles since 2020, and there isn’t anything particularly standout about Volkswagen’s system. It’s effective enough, but nothing spectacular.

In both the Taos and Tiguan, Volkswagen includes the basic safety systems standard, but the more advanced features are reserved for higher trim levels. So, if you want the whole Volkswagen driver assist package, you’ll need to pay more to get it.

Overall, these two vehicles tie for safety. While the Tiguan is slightly more likely to roll over than the Taos, that’s a function of the size of the vehicles, so we aren’t going to fault the Tiguan for the difference.

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Dimensions

Dimensions can tell you a lot about a vehicle, so let’s take a look.

Both sets of dimensions from CarAndDriver.com:

Volkswagen Taos:

Wheelbase: 105.9 in
Length: 175.8 in
Width: 72.5 in
Height: 64.4 in
Passenger Volume: 99 ft3
Cargo Volume: 28 ft3
Curb Weight: 3244 lb

Volkswagen Tiguan:

Wheelbase: 109.9 in
Length: 186.1 in
Width: 72.4 in
Height: 66.5 in
Passenger Volume: 100 ft3
Cargo Volume: 38 ft3
Curb Weight: 4005 lb

Both vehicles have about the same amount of space for passengers, which is a bit of a surprise given the Tiguan’s additional size, but it makes more sense when you look at the cargo room. The Tiguan gives you an additional 10 cubic feet, which is a lot of extra space.

The Tiguan is also slightly longer, but no wider than the Taos. That’s important because it means that the extra interior space doesn’t have a huge impact on the maneuverability of the vehicle.

The Tiguan is only 2 inches taller than the Taos, another important note because it helps keep the center of balance lower on the Tiguan, keeping it much safer compared to taller vehicles.

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Amenities

In terms of cabin amenities, these two vehicles come up fairly similar again. The Tiguan does have a couple of advantages though, including larger infotainment screen sizes (both standard and optional upgrades) and an optional upgrade to the sound system designed for audiophiles.

Both are compatible with both Apple and Android, have mobile and wifi hotspot compatibility, and are Bluetooth compatible. You can also get Sirius XM and other radio or entertainment subscriptions with both models.

So, we’re going to give a slight edge to the Tiguan, but the two are overall similar when it comes to cabin amenities.

Price

Unsurprisingly, given the size difference, the Taos is a slightly more affordable vehicle, starting at just $24,790 according to CarAndDriver.com, while the Tiguan starts at $27,785.

However, the price difference between the two isn’t significant enough to really differentiate them. One is slightly more affordable because of its smaller size, but they’re both aimed at the same audience and the price difference shouldn’t make a difference in your buying decisions in this case.

Which Comes Out On Top: Volkswagen Taos vs. Volkswagen Tiguan

When you’re comparing two vehicles from the same manufacturer it’s often to look for which model is better than the other between two similar vehicles. When it comes to the Volkswagen Taos vs. Volkswagen Tiguan though, it’s less which vehicle is better and more which vehicle suits your needs better.

Both vehicles are similar, relatively popular, and similarly priced. They have a lot of the same features, some of the same components, and just aren’t that different from one another.

With that in mind, we’d recommend the Tiguan to anyone who needs more cargo space in their vehicle, or who is looking for a camping or family SUV. The Taos is a better option if you’re looking for a fuel-efficient commuter with plenty of space, or if you want a road-tripping vehicle smaller than a standard SUV, but larger than a standard sedan.

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