Volkswagen · Small SUVs · Gasoline
Volkswagen Taos: MPG and annual fuel cost, 2026
The Volkswagen Taos has 2 rated versions for 2026, from 28 to 31 MPG combined; its most efficient version is tied for 47th of 113 small SUVs, in the upper half.
- 31MPG combinedtied 47th of 113 in class
- $2,150a year in fueltied 46th of 113 in class
- 287g/mile CO2
Where it stands
Compared only with the gasoline models of its class it is tied for 3rd of 58 gasoline small SUVs, in the top quarter. The median of that narrower group is 26 MPG, against 29 MPG for all small SUVs together.
Among all gasoline models of the year, regardless of size, it is tied for 14th of 180 gasoline models, in the top quarter.
Within the 7 Volkswagen models rated for 2026 it is 3rd on combined rating; the median of the make's line-up is 29 MPG.
In its class, just ahead of it is the Nissan Rogue at 32 MPG and just behind it is the Buick Encore at 30 MPG.
Fuel cost and CO2
At 15,000 miles a year with 55% of them in the city, with regular gasoline at $4.47 per gallon, the annual fuel bill of the most efficient version is about $2,150. That is $150 less than the small SUVs median of $2,300, which makes it tied for 46th of 113 small SUVs, in the upper half.
Tailpipe CO2 is 287 g/mile, 11 g/mile below the small SUVs median of 298.
Rated versions
Its city rating is 28 and its highway rating 36: the highway figure is 8 higher. 2 versions are rated for 2026. The most efficient, Taos: 1.5 L, 4 cyl, Automatic (S8), FWD, gets 31 MPG; the least efficient listed, Taos 4motion: 1.5 L, 4 cyl, Automatic (S8), 4WD, gets 28 MPG, a gap of 3 MPG. With the file's assumptions that gap is worth about $250 a year in fuel.
| Version | Combined MPG | City MPG | Highway MPG | Annual fuel cost | CO2 g/mile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taos: 1.5 L, 4 cyl, Automatic (S8), FWD | 31 | 28 | 36 | $2,150 | 287 |
| Taos 4motion: 1.5 L, 4 cyl, Automatic (S8), 4WD | 28 | 25 | 33 | $2,400 | 318 |
Year by year
The Volkswagen Taos is in the data for 5 of the 8 model years from 2019 to 2026. The headline rating did not move between 2022 and 2026: 31 MPG both times.
| Model year | Versions | Best MPG | Lowest MPG | Fuel cost | CO2 g/mi | Class median |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 31 | 28 | $2,150 | 287 | 29 |
| 2025 | 2 | 31 | 28 | $2,150 | 287 | 29 |
| 2024 | 2 | 31 | 27 | $2,150 | 286 | 28 |
| 2023 | 2 | 31 | 28 | $2,150 | 286 | 27 |
| 2022 | 2 | 31 | 28 | $2,150 | 286 | 26 |
Similar models
| Model | Powertrain | Combined MPG | Annual fuel cost | Model year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hyundai Kona | Gasoline | 31 | $2,150 | 2026 |
| Hyundai Venue | Gasoline | 31 | $2,150 | 2026 |
| Buick Encore | Gasoline | 30 | $2,250 | 2026 |
| Nissan Rogue | Gasoline | 32 | $2,100 | 2026 |
| Toyota Corolla Cross | Gasoline | 32 | $2,100 | 2026 |
Compare and rank
Rankings: Small SUVs, Gasoline, Volkswagen, Gasoline small SUVs.
Data: US EPA and DOE, as prepared in methods and data.