Against 381 other 4-cyl cars rated 2024–2026, the Taos beats their 26.3 mpg average by 4.7 mpg, about $221 a year.
Every Volkswagen Taos engine, compared
The Volkswagen Taos was rated in a single specification, so its gas mileage does not vary by version — only by model year. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5L 4-cyl | 28 / 36 | 2022–2026 | $1,239 |
What that actually costs
Against its rivals in the same model years, the Toyota RAV4 gets 37.5 mpg, the Jeep Wrangler 18.8 mpg and the Honda CR-V 35 mpg, next to 31 mpg for the 2026 Taos.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile (2026) | $0.103 |
| Fuel per year | $1,239 |
| Fuel over five years | $6,195 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars, 2024–2026 | −$221 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,000 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The 2026 Volkswagen Taos gives up 8 mpg in town: 36 on the highway against 28 in the city, $304 a year if every mile were city driving.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City (2026) | 28 mpg | $1,371 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 36 mpg | $1,067 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +8 mpg (29%) | Typical for its type |
How the Taos changed over the years
Combined figure across the 5 model years the Taos was rated in, all of them at 31 mpg.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 28 / 36 | 1 | $1,239 | |
| 2025 | 28 / 36 | 1 | $1,239 | |
| 2024 | 28 / 36 | 1 | $1,239 | |
| 2023 | 28 / 36 | 1 | $1,239 | |
| 2022 | 28 / 36 | 1 | $1,239 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
- Fuel profile built from your actual mileage and local prices
- Fuel tracker: what you really spend, month by month
- Insurance and fuel folded into 5-year cost to own
- Compare any two cars on total cost, not sticker price
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
How we count
This page rests on 5 EPA ratings of the Volkswagen Taos — 1 engine across 2022–2026. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $2,000. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the 2026 Volkswagen Taos get?
31 mpg combined, 28 city and 36 highway, per EPA. Across every year since 2022 the Taos has averaged 31 mpg.
Is the 2026 Taos more efficient than the 2025?
About the same: 31 against 31 mpg combined.
Does the Taos get better gas mileage than the Toyota RAV4?
No: 31 mpg for the 2026 Taos against 37.5 for the 2026 Toyota RAV4, about $215 a year more to run.
Mark ForCar as a preferred source and our data shows up first in your Google results. One click, no account.