Compare the2026 Volkswagen TaosVS 2026 Honda CR-V

The Taos has a standard Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The CR-V doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Taos has standard Rear Traffic Alert and automatically engage the brakes. Only the CR-V EX/Hybrid offers Cross Traffic Monitor and the CR-V’s Cross Traffic Monitor does not include automatic braking.

Both the Taos and the CR-V have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive and rear parking sensors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Volkswagen Taos is safer than the Honda CR-V:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Volkswagen Taos is safer than the Honda CR-V:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The Taos comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck. The CR-V’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The Taos’ corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the CR-V’s (7 vs. 5 years).

Volkswagen pays for scheduled maintenance on the Taos for 1 year and 8000 miles longer than Honda pays for maintenance for the CR-V (2/20,000 vs. 1/12000).

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Taos has a standard 640-amp battery. The CR-V’s 410-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

The Taos’ 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 5 lbs.-ft. more torque (184 vs. 179) than the CR-V’s standard 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the Taos FWD gets better fuel mileage than the CR-V 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder FWD (28 city/36 hwy vs. 28 city/33 hwy).

Both the Taos and the CR-V have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All Taos’s have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily. The CR-V Hybrid doesn’t offer a way to disable start/stop.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Volkswagen Taos uses regular unleaded gasoline. The CR-V with the 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder engine requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Volkswagen Taos higher (7 out of 10) than the Honda CR-V (5 to 6). This means the Taos produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the CR-V every 15,000 miles.

The Taos stops shorter than the CR-V:

The Taos 4Motion®’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the CR-V LX’s standard 65 series tires. The Taos 4Motion®’s optional tires have a lower 45 series profile than the CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid’s 55 series tires.

The Taos has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The CR-V’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The Taos has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The CR-V doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The Taos SEL 4Motion® handles at .85 G’s, while the CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Taos SEL 4Motion® executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.9 seconds quicker than the CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid (27.4 seconds @ .61 average G’s vs. 29.3 seconds @ .57 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Taos 4Motion®’s turning circle is 2.2 feet tighter than the CR-V Hybrid’s (34.8 feet vs. 37 feet). The Taos’ turning circle is 2.2 feet tighter than the CR-V 1.5T’s (35.1 feet vs. 37.3 feet).

The Volkswagen Taos may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 to 500 pounds less than the Honda CR-V.

The Taos is 8.9 inches shorter than the CR-V, making the Taos easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Taos has .7 inches more front headroom and 1.6 inches more rear headroom than the CR-V.

The Taos has a higher standard payload capacity than the CR-V (937 vs. 850 lbs.).

The power windows standard on both the Taos and the CR-V have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Taos is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The CR-V prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Taos’ front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The CR-V’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

The Taos’ rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The CR-V’s standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the Taos to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The CR-V doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Taos SE/SEL has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The CR-V doesn’t offer cornering lights. The Taos SE/SEL also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Taos SEL keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The CR-V doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Taos has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel is only available on the CR-V TrailSport/Sport Touring.

Compared to traditional radio, the Volkswagen Taos’ standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks. Satellite radio is only offered on the CR-V EX-L/Sport-L/Sport Touring.