Chevy Trax vs Volkswagen Taos: 2026 Trax vs 2027 Taos Compared
Last updated: October 19, 2026 | Emich Chevrolet, Lakewood | Specs from each manufacturer
The 2026 Chevy Trax and 2027 Volkswagen Taos are both five-seat SUVs, but they start $4,800 apart. The Trax costs less and has more rear legroom. The Taos brings a 174-hp turbo engine, available 4Motion AWD, more cargo room in front-drive form and a standard IQ.DRIVE suite with adaptive cruise. Here’s how they compare, using each maker’s published figures. For Trax trims and pricing, see our Chevy Trax guide.
Quick Verdict
Pick the 2026 Trax if you want the lower price. The Trax LS starts at $21,700, $4,800 below the Taos S FWD at $26,500 before destination. It also has more rear legroom (38.7 vs 37.9 inches), and both front-drive models are EPA-estimated at 30 mpg combined. Pick the 2027 Taos if you want more power (174 hp vs 137), AWD, which the Trax doesn’t offer, or more cargo room in front-drive form. Adaptive cruise and blind-spot monitoring are standard on every Taos, and VW includes two scheduled maintenance visits.
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New 2026 Trax models on our Lakewood lot, with real-time pricing and current Chevrolet offers.
How the 2026 Trax and 2027 Taos Match Up
The 2026 Trax is the newest Trax on sale. Chevrolet has announced a redesigned 2027 Trax for spring 2027 without pricing, so we compare the 2026 model. The 2027 Taos is on sale now and adds a new Sport trim. The Trax is longer at 178.6 inches versus 175.9, while the Taos is taller and wider.
Every Trax uses a 1.2L turbo 3-cylinder with 137 hp and 162 lb-ft, a 6-speed automatic and front-wheel drive. Every Taos uses a 1.5L turbo 4-cylinder with 174 hp and 184 lb-ft and an 8-speed automatic, with front-wheel drive or 4Motion AWD. Chevrolet says the Trax is not rated to tow, and VW publishes no tow rating for the Taos.
Base for base, the Trax LS costs $4,800 less than the Taos S FWD, or $4,530 with destination ($1,795 vs $1,525). The Taos S includes adaptive cruise, blind-spot monitoring and rear traffic alert. The Trax LS offers blind-zone and rear cross traffic alerts in a $395 package but no adaptive cruise. A Trax LT with the LT Convenience ($595) and Driver Confidence ($795) packages has adaptive cruise, blind-zone alert, rear cross traffic alert, heated front seats and an 11-inch touchscreen for $24,590 before destination. That’s $1,910 below the Taos S FWD, or $1,640 with destination.
2026 Trax vs 2027 Taos Specs
| Spec | 2026 Chevy Trax | 2027 Volkswagen Taos |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (FWD, excl. destination) | $21,700 (LS) | $26,500 (S) |
| Destination charge | $1,795 | $1,525 |
| Starting price with destination | $23,495 | $28,025 |
| All-wheel drive | Not offered (FWD only) | Available, +$1,700 |
| Engine / transmission | 1.2L turbo 3-cyl / 6-speed automatic | 1.5L turbo 4-cyl / 8-speed automatic |
| Horsepower / torque | 137 hp / 162 lb-ft | 174 hp / 184 lb-ft |
| EPA city/hwy/combined (FWD) | 28/32/30 mpg | 27/35/30 mpg |
| Cargo behind rear seat | 25.6 cu ft | 27.9 cu ft (FWD); 24.9 (AWD) |
| Max cargo | 54.1 cu ft | 65.9 cu ft (FWD); 60.2 (AWD) |
| Rear legroom | 38.7 in | 37.9 in |
| Ground clearance | 7.3 in | 6.5 in (FWD); 7.6 in (AWD) |
| Touchscreen | 8 in (LS, 1RS); 11 in (LT, 2RS, ACTIV) | 8 in, standard |
| Adaptive cruise | Available on LT, 2RS, ACTIV (package) | Standard |
| Towing | Not rated to tow | Not published |
| NHTSA overall rating | Not rated (2026: 4-star frontal, 4-star rollover) | Not rated yet (2027) |
| Warranty | 3 yr/36k basic; 5 yr/60k powertrain; 1 maintenance visit | 4 yr/50k new vehicle; 2 maintenance visits |
Sources: chevrolet.com and Chevrolet Build & Price (2026 Trax), vw.com and Volkswagen’s 2027 Taos release, price sheet and technical specifications, fueleconomy.gov and NHTSA, checked October 19, 2026. MSRPs exclude destination, tax, title, license and dealer fees; dealer sets final price. Taos cargo and ground clearance vary by drive. EPA figures are estimates. VW publishes no separate powertrain warranty term for the Taos. Bold marks the better figure.
By the Numbers
Starting price, FWD (excl. destination)
MSRP before destination ($1,795 Chevrolet, $1,525 Volkswagen). Lower is better.
Horsepower
Cargo behind rear seat
4Motion AWD vs the Front-Drive Trax
Every Trax is front-wheel drive. Volkswagen offers 4Motion AWD on every Taos ($1,700 where optional), and the SEL is AWD only. AWD Taos models get Active Control with Snow, On-Road, Off-Road and Off-Road Custom modes (Off-Road Custom isn’t available on the S 4Motion), plus 7.6 inches of ground clearance versus 6.5 inches for a front-drive Taos.
Front-drive to front-drive, the Trax has more ground clearance, with 7.3 inches. If AWD is on your list for winter trips up I-70, the Taos offers it and the Trax does not. Chevrolet points AWD shoppers to the 2026 Trailblazer, and it offers a $125 engine block heater for the Trax.
Reasons to Choose Each
Choose the 2026 Chevy Trax if you want
- A lower starting price: $21,700 vs $26,500 for the Taos S FWD
- More rear legroom: 38.7 in vs 37.9 in
- The same 30 mpg EPA combined rating as a front-drive Taos
- An 11-inch touchscreen on LT, 2RS and ACTIV, vs 8 inches on every Taos
- Longer roadside assistance: 5 years/60,000 miles vs 3 years/36,000 miles
Choose the 2027 Volkswagen Taos if you want
- More power: 174 hp and 184 lb-ft
- 4Motion AWD on every trim ($1,700 where optional)
- More cargo space in front-drive form: 27.9 cu ft behind the rear seat, 65.9 max
- Adaptive cruise, blind-spot monitoring and Travel Assist standard
- A 4-year/50,000-mile new vehicle warranty and two scheduled maintenance visits included
Interior and Technology
Every Trax has wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. LS and 1RS use an 8-inch touchscreen and a 3.5-inch driver display; LT, 2RS and ACTIV get an 11-inch touchscreen and an 8-inch driver display. Every Taos has an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless App-Connect (CarPlay and Android Auto). Its driver display is an 8-inch Digital Cockpit on S and Sport and a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro from the SE up. Wireless charging starts on the Taos SE; on the Trax it comes with the Sunroof Package on LT, 2RS and ACTIV.
Chevy Safety Assist is standard on every Trax: automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, lane keep assist with lane departure warning, forward collision alert and IntelliBeam. The Driver Confidence Package adds blind-zone and rear cross traffic alerts, plus adaptive cruise on LT, 2RS and ACTIV. IQ.DRIVE is standard on every Taos, with Front Assist, Active Side Assist, Rear Traffic Alert, adaptive cruise with Stop & Go, Lane Assist and Travel Assist. VW describes Travel Assist as hands-on, so neither SUV offers hands-free driving.
The Bottom Line
The Trax saves you $4,800 to start, matches a front-drive Taos on EPA combined fuel economy and gives rear passengers more legroom. The Taos costs more, but it has 37 more horsepower, offers AWD, holds more cargo in front-drive form and comes with more driver aids standard. Check current Chevrolet offers, see what your current vehicle is worth with a trade-in appraisal, or browse 2026 Trax inventory.
Our honest pick: the Trax if you want a front-drive small SUV at a lower price. The Taos if you want more power, AWD or standard adaptive cruise and are willing to pay about $4,800 more to start.
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Chevy Trax vs Volkswagen Taos FAQ
Is the Chevy Trax cheaper than the Volkswagen Taos?
Yes. The 2026 Trax LS starts at $21,700 and the 2027 Taos S FWD at $26,500, before destination ($1,795 and $1,525). With destination: $23,495 vs $28,025. See current Chevrolet offers.
Which is more powerful?
The Taos. Its 1.5L turbo 4-cylinder makes 174 hp and 184 lb-ft with an 8-speed automatic. The Trax’s 1.2L turbo 3-cylinder makes 137 hp and 162 lb-ft with a 6-speed automatic.
Which gets better gas mileage?
They tie at 30 mpg combined in front-drive form: Trax 28 city / 32 highway, Taos 27/35. The Taos 4Motion is rated 25/33/28.
Does the Trax have AWD?
No. Every 2026 Trax is front-wheel drive, and Chevrolet says the 2027 Trax will be FWD across all models. The Taos offers 4Motion AWD on every trim.
Has NHTSA rated these SUVs?
NHTSA has not rated the 2027 Taos yet. The 2026 Trax has no NHTSA overall rating; it has 4-star frontal and 4-star rollover ratings.
Sources: chevrolet.com 2026 Trax page and 2027 Trax preview, chevrolet.com Build & Price, GM News, fueleconomy.gov and NHTSA for Chevrolet; each competitor’s official website, specifications, price sheets and press materials, fueleconomy.gov, NHTSA and IIHS for the rival, reviewed October 19, 2026. MSRP excludes destination, tax, title, license, dealer fees and options; destination charges differ by brand. EPA estimates; actual mileage will vary. Towing ratings depend on configuration and equipment and are for comparison only; review the owner’s manual before towing. Driver assistance features are no substitute for the driver’s responsibility to operate the vehicle safely; read the owner’s manual for feature limitations. All trademarks belong to their respective owners. Emich Chevrolet sells new Chevrolet vehicles.