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Toyota RAV4 vs Volkswagen Taos

2026 Toyota RAV4 vs 2026 Volkswagen Taos — two small SUVs compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

Toyota RAV4

2026 Toyota RAV4

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV
VS3 – 3Tie: 3 categories each
Volkswagen Taos

2026 Volkswagen Taos

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WDAWD/4WD

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The short version

The Toyota RAV4 is more fuel-efficient: 43 vs 31 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $600 a year less in fuel for the Toyota RAV4 (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The Toyota RAV4 is the bigger car, about 5 inches longer.

Across all model years since 2005, the Volkswagen Taos has had fewer recall campaigns (8 vs 50).

The two cars

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 is a small SUV offered with a 2.5L 4-cyl engine, including a hybrid version and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. It measures about 181 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 106-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,746 lb (Le 4dr SUV).

The 2026 Volkswagen Taos is a small SUV offered with a 1.5L 4-cyl turbo engine and front-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive. It measures about 176 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 106-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,430 lb (4dr SUV AWD).

Buying used? The 2022 RAV4 and the 2024 Taos have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2019 RAV4 and the 2022 Taos.

Basics

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Hybrid
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.5L 4-cyl
Engines
1.5L 4-cyl turbo
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

43 MPG
Best combined MPG
31 MPG
47 city
City / highway MPG (best)
28 city
$1,550
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$2,150

Performance & space

186 hp
Horsepower (most powerful)
174 hp
5
Seats (most)
5
181.1 in
Length
176 in
72.8 in
Width
72.8 in
66.5 in
Height
64.6 in
3,746 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
3,175 lb

Safety & reliability

13
Driver-assist features standard
13
2
Recalls (2026)
1
50
Recalls, all years since 2005
8
42
Owner complaints (latest year)
4

Interest

45,921
Wikipedia views, 30 days
5,271

Buying used

2022
Best used year
2024
2019
Year to avoid
2022

Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Toyota RAV4 if…

  • You want lower fuel bills (43 vs 31 MPG)
  • You want more room (5 in longer)
  • You want a hybrid or electric option

Choose the Volkswagen Taos if…

  • You want something easier to park (5 in shorter)
  • You put reliability history first (8 vs 50 recalls since 2005)

Pros & cons of each

2026 Toyota RAV4

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 43 MPG combined — 42% better than the average 2026 small SUV (30.2 MPG).
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.

2026 Volkswagen Taos

  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.

Full 2026 Toyota RAV4 specs →Full 2026 Volkswagen Taos specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →