The Volkswagen Taos puts some newfound power behind its swing.

LOTS OF SMALL CHANGES can make a big difference, and that's just Volkswagen's strategy with the little Taos's mid-cycle refresh. New lights and wheel designs, a nicer interior with a larger screen, and some hardware tweaks have made this feature-filled small SUV more compelling for 2025.

- Andrew Krok

The diminutive turbo 1.5-liter four-cylinder produces the same 184 pound-feet of torque as before, but horsepower climbs from 158 to 174. Moreover, VW swapped out the all-wheel-drive model's reluctant seven-speed dual-clutch automatic for an eager eight-speed auto already found on the front-drive Taos.