VW Taos vs. Hyundai Kona

Volkswagen’s smallest crossover is the Taos, competing in the hotly contested subcompact SUV market. One of its primary challengers is the Hyundai Kona. So, we’ve compared their main features to help you decide which of these crossovers you should buy. To learn more about the Taos or arrange a test drive in Orange County, feel free to reach out to the team here at Capistrano Volkswagen.

Volkswagen Taos vs. Hyundai Kona Engine and Performance

A 158-horsepower four-cylinder engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission lead the Volkswagen Taos’ standard drive train. But if you upgrade to all-wheel drive (AWD), the eight-speed automatic is replaced by a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. Both power trains achieve excellent fuel economy. The front-wheel-drive (FWD) Taos manages 36 mpg on the highway and 28 mpg on city roads, while AWD models get 32 mpg and 25 mpg, respectively.

The Kona’s base engine is slightly weaker than the Taos’ unit, putting out just 147 horsepower. However, the Kona offers two other engines: a 195-horsepower four-cylinder and a 280-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder. But the two engine upgrades are only available in higher trims that cost considerably more. The Kona’s fuel economy is comparable with the Taos’ numbers since it achieves up to 35 mpg on the highway and 30 mpg on city roads.

Passenger and Cargo Capacity

The Taos offers a more spacious cabin than the Kona, making it the best choice if you have family or friends regularly riding with you. Behind the second row of seats, the Taos has 27.9 cubic feet of storage space in its FWD configuration and 24.9 cubic feet in AWD models. With the rear seats folded flat, it offers 65.9 cubic feet in FWD models and 60.2 cubic feet in AWD. By contrast, the Kona has just 19.2 cubic feet of space at the rear and a little over 45 cubic feet with the back seats down.

Due to its more extensive interior, the Taos also comes out on top in seating space. Tall adults can comfortably sit in the front or rear rows of the Taos, whereas the second row in the Kona is quite cramped and best left to kids.

Infotainment and Safety Technology

The infotainment systems offered in both vehicles include many similar features, although some differences are worth noting. While the Taos has a smaller touch screen than the Kona, it has more standard connectivity options than its Hyundai rival. These include features such as a Wi-Fi hotspot and BlueTooth. In their base trims, the Kona has an 8-inch screen and a six-speaker stereo, while the Taos has a 6.5-inch screen and a four-speaker stereo.

Both crossovers offer you the choice of upgrading to a larger touch screen, measuring 8 inches in the Taos and 10.25 inches in the Kona. Other optional add-ons in the Taos include wireless device charging, a navigation system, and an eight-speaker audio system. As for the Kona, possible upgrades include an eight-speaker stereo and a navigation system.

These crossovers also possess a wide range of standard and optional safety features. The Kona standard setup has forward automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, and pedestrian detection. In addition, the driver drowsiness monitor checks on your performance and alerts you when it’s time to take a break.

The Taos has many optional safety features, including most of those offered by the Kona. You can add adaptive cruise control, which adjusts your speed on the highway to ensure you maintain a safe distance from other motorists and travel at a steady pace. Front and rear parking sensors will help you maneuver your Taos into a tight spot. And traffic sign recognition can alert you to speed limits and other important driving rules.

Taos vs. Kona Pricing and Trims

The Taos has a slightly higher starting price than the Kona, with an MSRP of $23,495 compared to $21,300. However, the extra cost gets you a more powerful engine and a broader range of entertainment equipment. But the Kona has more options for trims, offering five trims compared to the Taos’ three.

The first step up the trim ladder from the Taos’ base S trim is the Taos SE, which has synthetic leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a power-adjustable driver’s seat. The SE also features most of the driver safety tech offered by Volkswagen and keyless entry. While the final trim level, the Taos SEL, gains you genuine leather upholstery, an eight-speaker stereo, a navigation system, and automatic climate control.

The Kona’s N-Line trim gets you the more powerful four-cylinder engine, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and heated front seats. Stepping up to the Limited trim will get you the larger infotainment screen, leather-trimmed seats, and rain-sensing windshield wipers. The top-of-the-line N trim has an MSRP of over $34,000, which makes it significantly more expensive than the top Taos trim. However, the extra money gets you the turbocharged four-cylinder engine, a sport-tuned suspension, and paddle shifters.

As you can see, both the Taos and Kona have many strengths to consider. The Taos offers a better balance of affordability, engine performance, and infotainment equipment than the Kona. Its base engine performs better than the Kona’s, and the selection of entertainment features offered in the base Taos is only available in the Kona’s higher trims.

In addition, the Taos has a more spacious cabin you can use for transporting cargo or passengers. Although the Kona offers a much stronger engine in its lineup, you’ll have to pay considerably more to get it.

We hope that our review of the top features of the Volkswagen Taos and Hyundai Kona has helped you decide on your next vehicle purchase. If you’d like to learn more about the Taos or arrange a test drive in Orange County, don’t hesitate to contact us. Our Volkswagen team is standing by to help make all the arrangements for a hassle-free purchase, including competitive auto financing and advice on which trim to choose. To get started, browse our online inventory or swing by our Capistrano dealership today.