The 2024 Volkswagen Taos is powered by the 1.5-liter turbocharged engine with up to 158 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. Paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive, the all-new VW Taos produces an EPA-estimated fuel economy rating of 28 MPG city and 36 MPG highway. In comparison, the Honda HR-V gets a 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder with 158 horsepower and less torque output at 138 lb-ft, and the Honda is less efficient than the VW Taos with an EPA-estimated 26 MPG city and 32 MPG highway.

While both models offer optional all-wheel drive, the VW Taos’s 4MOTION all-wheel-drive system is more impressive as it is able to distribute power between the front and rear wheels for optimized traction, and it features four different all-wheel-drive modes that can adapt to your current driving situation, including Snow, On-Road, Off-Road and Off-Road Custom Mode. Plus, the VW Toas’ available 4MOTION AWD is paired with a 7-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission for dynamic capability and fast, smooth and efficient shifting.

The 2024 Volkswagen Taos is packed with useful tech for daily driving, such as the standard VW Digital Cockpit that includes a standard 8-inch fully digital instrument cluster display, while the MIB2 Composition Color unit features a 6.5-inch capacitive touchscreen display. As a competing SUV, the Honda HR-V gets a 7-inch Audio Display touch-screen with Apple CarPlay compatibility and a less impressive 7-inch digital instrument cluster, while a 9-inch Display Audio touch-screen with wireless smartphone integration is available on select trims.

The 2024 VW Taos can be updated with the innovative VW Digital Cockpit Pro that includes an extra-large 10.25-inch fully configurable display and available customization that lets you select what’s displayed, such as speed, travel time, route guidance, driver assist features and more. On higher trims, the VW Taos offers the available MIB3 infotainment system with 8-inch glass-covered displays and Discover Media with navigation for an elevated experience. Also included is App-Connect for wireless connectivity, wireless charging and the BeatsAudio system with 8 speakers, including a subwoofer, and a 12-channel, 400-watt amplifier.

All 2024 Volkswagen Taos models come with IQ.DRIVE, a suite of driver assist technologies that help make driving easier. The all-new VW Taos offers Travel Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Active Blind Spot Monitor, Rear Traffic Alert, Front Assist, Emergency Assist and Lane Assist. With the Honda Sensing suite, the Honda HR-V gets features like Collision Mitigation Braking System™, Forward Collision Warning, Road Departure Mitigation System, Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow and Traffic Sign Recognition System.

The 2024 VW Taos adds intuitive driver assist features that help reduce the stress of driving, such as Light Assist, Dynamic Road Sign Display and Park Distance Control with Maneuver Braking, which can apply the brake automatically to help mitigate the chance of a collision with stationary objects while reversing into a spot, and it will let you know if you’re getting too close to detected obstacles in front of or behind your car. In addition, the VW Taos is equipped with a Rear View Camera System, Intelligent Crash Response System, Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, Tire Pressure Monitoring System and six stability-enhancing systems.

The 2024 Volkswagen Taos has a roomy interior with the versatility you want out of a compact SUV. The all-new VW Taos offers a heated, leatherette-wrapped, multi-function steering wheel for enhanced comfort and convenient access to various vehicle functions, and the SUV has two-tone cloth seats, CloudTex and cloth seats or available ventilated leather seating with contrast stitching. In comparison, the Honda HR-V has heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, body-stabilizing front seats with lumbar and side supports and available perforated leather on EX-L.

While the Honda HR-V has 24.4 cubic feet of trunk volume and 55.1 cubic feet of cargo capacity, the 2024 VW Taos provides even more storage space with up to 27.9 cubic feet behind the second row and a generous 65.9 cubic feet of cargo capacity when folding the rear seats down. Overall, the VW Taos offers an elevated experience with modern cabin amenities like an available panoramic sunroof, 10-color LED ambient lighting system and the Climatronic system with electronic controls that monitor key factors like position of the sun, intensity of its rays and outside temperature to adjust the level of cool air accordingly.