The 2025 Honda HR-V and 2025 Volkswagen Taos are subcompact SUVs that deliver great fuel economy and a surprising amount of cabin space, given their modest dimensions.
The HR-V, which underwent a complete redesign for the 2023 model year, grew roomier and more refined. Based on the platform used in Honda’s Civic sedan and hatchback, it boasts agile steering, making it easy to maneuver in bustling city traffic. Good outward visibility and a comfortable highway ride also help set the HR-V apart from rival small SUVs.
One of those would be the Volkswagen Taos, of course. Serving as VW’s smallest and lowest-priced SUV, the Taos is similar to the HR-V in that it’s easy on your fuel budget, has adult-friendly levels of headroom and legroom, and is adept at darting around corners. Moreover, Taos provides above-average cargo space for its segment.
Let’s look at some highlights of the Honda HR-V and Volkswagen Taos.
2025 Honda HR-V
The Honda HR-V is offered in three trims: LX, Sport, and EX-L. Standard features on the HR-V include a 7-inch touchscreen, wired smartphone connectivity, a trio of USB ports, a 4-speaker audio system, and automatic climate control.
Every HR-V is powered by a 158-horsepower 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard, with all-wheel drive (AWD) as an option.
Honda HR-V Highlights
Safety ratings and Honda Sensing: The HR-V Honda Sensing bundle of driver aids comes standard. This includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, forward collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. It’s worth noting that the HR-V earns Top Safety Pick+ status, the highest possible score, in crash and safety testing conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto: Want to leave your phone cords at home? Wireless smartphone connectivity is available on the HR-V as standard equipment on the range-topping EX-L model.
Noise cancellation: Using the audio system’s speakers, the Honda HR-V’s active noise cancellation keeps the interior a calm, quiet place to spend your time. This is standard on every model.
HondaLink: The HondaLink smartphone app lets an HR-V owner schedule upcoming service appointments, track the vehicle should it be stolen, send alerts if a crash is detected while parked, and set geofenced boundaries for other drivers.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the HR-V models for sale near you.
2025 Volkswagen Taos
Introduced for the 2022 model year, the Taos received a welcome freshening for 2025. Among the upgrades are more power, improved technology, and revised styling inside and out.
The Taos gets down the road courtesy of a 174-hp turbocharged 4-cylinder engine and 8-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is available on the S and SE trims and standard on the top-of-the-line SEL model.
Volkswagen Taos Highlights
Virtual assistant: Among the technology upgrades is the ChatGPT-enabled virtual assistant known as IDA. With a simple “Hello, IDA,” a driver can initiate a wide range of actions, like changing climate settings, tuning the audio system, and even responding to questions.
Cargo space: Just because you want a small SUV doesn’t mean you have to pack light for every journey. Behind its split-folding rear seat, the Taos provides 27.9 cubic feet of cargo room. Fold the rear seat down, and this expands to more than 65 cubic feet. These numbers put Taos near the top of its class.
Digital instrument display: Called “Digital Cockpit,” this sleek instrument display was first used in high-end luxury vehicles by Audi (VW’s corporate cousin). Now, this tech touch is standard in the Taos. It comes in two sizes: 8 inches for the entry-level trim and 10.25 inches for the SE and SEL.
IQ.Drive: Like Honda Sensing, this is VW-speak for its grouping of standard safety items. Every Taos comes with active blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and more.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Taos models for sale near you.
Similarities
The HR-V and Taos deliver ample value and versatility. They each provide a nice balance of performance and fuel economy, plus the option of all-wheel drive for those times when roads turn slick and treacherous. Their passenger space is nearly identical. Roadworthiness is another trait they share; consequently, they can handle any city or highway task thrown at them.
Pricing
New 2025 Volkswagen Taos Prices
|
Retail Price
|
Fair Purchase Price (92620)
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
$26,420 |
$24,853 |
|||
$28,120 |
$26,660 |
|||
$29,320 |
$27,727 |
|||
$31,020 |
$29,385 |
|||
$31,570 |
$30,136 |
|||
$33,270 |
$31,702 |
|||
$36,120 |
$34,451 |
The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors. The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for New 2025 Honda HR-V vehicles and New 2025 Volkswagen Taos vehicles in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership. These prices are updated weekly. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) quoted includes the destination fee, but does not include tax, license, document fees, and options.
Specifications
| 2025 Honda HR-V | 2025 Volkswagen Taos | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder | 1.5-liter turbo 4-cylinder |
| Towing Capacity | N/A | N/A |
| Horsepower | 158 hp @ 6,500 rpm | 174 hp @ 1,750 rpm |
| Torque | 138 lb-ft @ 4,200 rpm | 184 lb-ft @ 1,750 rpm |
| Transmission | Automatic, CVT | automatic, 8-speed w/tiptronic |
| Fuel Economy | 26 city/32 highway/28 combined mpg | 25 city/33 highway/28 combined mpg |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 5 years/50,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | 5 stars | 4 stars |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 104.5 inches | 105.9 inches |
| Overall Length | 179.8 inches | 175.8 inches |
| Width | 72.4 inches | N/A |
| Height | 63.4 inches | 64.5 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 35.1 feet | 35.1 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 39.4 inches | 40.7 inches |
| Headroom, 2nd Row | 38.0 inches | 39.8 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 41.9 inches | 40.1 inches |
| Legroom, 2nd Row | 37.7 inches | 37.9 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 56.6 inches | 56.5 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 2nd Row | 55.2 inches | 55.2 inches |
| Cargo Behind Second Seat | 24.4 feet | 27.9 feet |
| Cargo With All Seats Down | N/A | N/A |
Specification table reflects the typical configuration of vehicles shown.
Conclusion
The Honda HR-V and VW Taos are similar in some ways but have different personalities. The HR-V has the trustworthy reputation of the Honda name and the low ownership costs, great resale value, and dependability that come with it. Meanwhile, the Taos is a little sportier, a little roomier, and has a more upscale look and feel. Which is right for you depends on what you’re looking for.
