Which is Better, 2023 Volkswagen Taos or Tiguan?

The Volkswagen lineup has a diverse selection of SUVs, and you’re sure to find one that will suit your needs. The Taos and Tiguan are two of these SUVs. While they share some key features, they are also very different in several ways. The Taos and the Tiguan offer 4Motion all-wheel drive and have similar trim lineups. The 2023 models for these SUVs are now available, but which one is better? Well, that depends on what you’re looking for. Here’s a comparison of the 2023 Volkswagen Taos versus the 2023 Tiguan.

What’s new for 2023?

2023 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2023 Volkswagen Taos

Both the Taos and Tiguan received minor updates for the 2023 model year. The Taos gained driver-assist features, such as a blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, forward collision warning, and automatic braking, as standard equipment for all trim levels. The S now comes with 18-inch wheels instead of 17-inch wheels for the all-wheel drive models, and the SEL now comes standard with a panoramic sunroof. The Tiguan SE R-Line Black has new 19-inch wheels, and across the lineup, the USB-C ports have upgraded charging capabilities.

Interior Space

The Taos is the smallest SUV in Volkswagen’s lineup. This subcompact has room for five in the cabin. When you’re driving the Taos, you’ll appreciate the comfortable position behind the wheel, providing a good amount of legroom for its class. The Taos, smaller than the Tiguan, has an impressive amount of cargo space for a subcompact. Front-wheel drive models offer 27.9 cu ft of storage space with the rear seats up, and all-wheel drive models offer 24.9 cu ft behind the rear seats.

The Tiguan is larger than the Taos and has three rows of seats and room for up to seven. With the third row up, it offers 12 cu ft of cargo space, but folding down the second and third rows opens up the back to accommodate 65 cu ft of gear. The all-wheel drive version of the Tiguan has just two rows of seats and 37.6 cu ft of space behind the second row.

Power and Performance

You’ll get more power with the Tiguan, but the new Volkswagen Taos has more than enough to propel the small SUV. The 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine provides 158 horsepower, and you can choose from either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Power for the Tiguan comes from a 2.0-liter four-cylinder gas engine that puts out 184 horsepower. This SUV also gives you a choice of front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.

If you like a spirited driving experience and don’t need the extra space, the Taos is more fun behind the wheel than the Tiguan. The turbo engine feels peppy, and it has either a seven-speed or eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The responsive steering system and strong brakes add to the driving experience. The new Volkswagen Tiguan has plenty of power, but it’s tuned for cruising instead of tackling curves with precision. Like the Taos, it has a responsive steering system.

Safety Systems

You get standard active safety systems in both the Taos and Tiguan. These Volkswagen SUVs come with a blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, forward collision warning, and automatic braking.

The IQ.Drive Package is optional for both models with any trim. It contains the following:

  • Adaptive cruise control: This feature adjusts your vehicle’s speed to maintain a set distance between you and the car in front.
  • Rain-sensing wipers: This feature automatically turns on the wipers when it senses rain on the windshield.
  • Lane keep assist: This makes minor steering inputs to keep your SUV centered in its lane.
  • Blind-spot intervention: This automatically steers your car back into its lane if you try to change lanes when someone is in your blind spot.
  • Emergency assist: This can detect when you’re unresponsive and bring your car to a stop.

The Tiguan stands apart from the Taos by offering more trim levels, and the higher trims have several extra safety systems. The high-end SEL R-Line adds a 360-degree surround-view camera system and an automated parking system that can steer the Tiguan into a parking spot with very little help from you.

You get front and rear parking sensors with the Tiguan, while the Taos adds rear parking sensors to its top-level SEL trim.

Technology

The technology features in the 2023 Taos and Tiguan are very similar. Both entry-level S trims come with a 6.5-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system, as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. You’ll get USB ports in both models and Volkswagen Car-Net connected services with a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Taos has a four-speaker stereo, and the larger Tiguan has a six-speaker stereo.

If you upgrade to the SE model with the Taos or Tiguan, it adds an 8-inch touch screen, a wireless version of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and wireless charging for smartphones. The Taos SE upgrades to a six-speaker stereo system, while the Tiguan SE upgrades the Bluetooth system to support multiple devices and adds a rear USB port.

The Tiguan further upgrades the technology in the SEL R-Line with a 10-25-inch digital instrument panel, and it adds an integrated navigation system. An upgraded premium stereo system comes with this high-end Tiguan, and you also get upgraded technology in the Taos. The SEL has a premium eight-speaker stereo system and a larger digital instrument display. This model also comes with navigation.

The most significant difference between the 2023 Volkswagen Taos and Tiguan is the size and seating capacity. The smaller Taos has seating for five, and while some Tiguan models have two rows, it also comes with three rows of seats so that you can bring your family and friends with you on road trips. The Tiguan also offers more trim levels and a higher-end trim with some added features you can’t get with the Taos.

If fast and quirky is what you want, the Taos will fit, but if you’re looking for space and added technology, the Tiguan is your answer. Stop by Volkswagen of Marion and have a closer look at each of these SUVs.