2023 Volkswagen Taos vs 2023 Subaru Crosstrek: Why buy the VW Taos?

If you're looking for a small SUV, you may find yourself comparing the 2023 Volkswagen Taos and 2023 Subaru Crosstrek. Both models offer appealing features in the small SUV segment of Canada, but only one can be right for you. If you want performance and efficiency combined, the 2023 Taos has the edge. With a better engine under its hood and more interior space, the Taos stands out from the competition. In this article, we compare these two models to help you decide which vehicle is best suited to your needs.

Better performance in the 2023 VW Taos

The 2023 VW Taos is a clear winner when it comes to performance. It's powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine that delivers 158 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, which is significantly more than the entry-level Subaru Crosstrek. 

On top of having more torque than any engine offered in the Crosstrek lineup, the Taos has a better fuel economy rating. On the highway, it averages just 6.6 litres per 100 kilometres compared to the Crosstrek’s average of over 7.0 litres per 100 kilometres. The Taos is more efficient even when equipped with 4Motion all-wheel drive. Furthermore, when it comes to handling and agility, the Taos offers more driving pleasure and is simply more fun to drive than the Crosstrek.

Highlights of the 2023 Volkswagen Taos Performance:

• The 2023 VW Taos is powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder that offers class-leading standard torque

• The new Taos delivers 158 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque

• The Taos has more horsepower than the entry-level Subaru Crosstrek

• The 2023 VW Taos also has more torque than any engine offered in the Crosstrek lineup

• Despite better performance, it has a better fuel economy rating

• The new Taos averages just 6.6 litres per 100 kilometres on the highway while the Crosstrek averages over 7.0 litres per 100 kilometres

• When equipped with 4Motion all-wheel drive, the Taos is still more efficient than the AWD Crosstrek

Interior comparison

When it comes to interior space, the 2023 Taos has a clear advantage over the 2023 Crosstrek. Up front, the Taos offers nearly 3 cm more headroom for drivers and a whopping 4 cm extra for rear passengers. When it comes to cargo space, the Taos is also a winner with up to 790 litres of space when the rear seats are in place. That's 200 extra litres compared to what you get with the Crosstrek, giving you plenty of additional storage room.

Highlights of the 2023 VW Taos Interior:

• It offers nearly 3 cm of extra headroom upfront
• Rear passengers will also be more comfortable in the Taos with an extra 4 cm of rear head room and rear leg room
• The 2023 VW Taos also offers up to 790 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats while the 2023 Subaru Crosstrek has just 589 litres
• That’s 200 extra litres of cargo space for Taos owners

In conclusion, the 2023 Volkswagen Taos is a clear winner when it comes to performance, fuel economy, and interior space. It offers superior power and torque over the 2023 Subaru Crosstrek and also has better fuel economy ratings. Meanwhile, the Taos also features more interior space for both front and rear passengers. Furthermore, it has 200 extra litres of cargo space compared to the Crosstrek. Moreover, all these additional features come at a more affordable price than the Crosstrek. So, if you're looking for a small SUV with superior performance and great value for money, the 2023 Volkswagen Taos is definitely worth exploring.