2027 Subaru Outback vs 2027 Volkswagen Taos
Too close to call: Subaru Outback 91.6 vs Volkswagen Taos 90.4 with these weights. The Volkswagen Taos is ahead on price and warranty. Raise the warranty weight from 2 to 2.9 and it flips.
2027 Subaru Outback
The 2027 Subaru Outback is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact SUV with 3 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Outback AWD, is EPA-rated at 2…
2027 Volkswagen Taos
The 2027 Volkswagen Taos is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact SUV with 2 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Taos, is EPA-rated at 30 mpg …
2027 Subaru Outback
Toss-upToo close to call: Subaru Outback 91.6 vs Volkswagen Taos 90.4 with these weights. The Volkswagen Taos is ahead on price and warranty. Raise the warranty weight from 2 to 2.9 and it flips.
| Category · weight | 2027 Subaru Outbackoverall 91.6 | 2027 Volkswagen Taosoverall 90.4 | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricew 4 | 80.3 | 100 | ||||||||||||
Base MSRP of the trim (or the model's lowest trim). Lower is better. | ||||||||||||||
| Fuel & rangew 3 | 90 | 100 | ||||||||||||
EPA annual fuel cost and combined mpg / MPGe; EV range when both are electric. | ||||||||||||||
| Safetyw 4 | 100 | 93.8 | ||||||||||||
NHTSA 5-Star rating, WhichTrim Safety Signal (open recalls by severity), owner complaints, standard driver-assist features (from the press kit, or from what the manufacturer filed with NHTSA where there is none). Open park-outside / do-not-drive advisories cost 25 points. | ||||||||||||||
| Space & cargow 2 | 100 | 81 | ||||||||||||
Seats, cargo volume behind the 1st and 2nd rows, rear legroom. | ||||||||||||||
| Performancew 2 | 96.6 | 98.4 | ||||||||||||
Horsepower, torque and horsepower per ton. | ||||||||||||||
| Tech & comfortw 3 | 100 | 58.2 | ||||||||||||
Standard (1) and optional (0.5) infotainment, convenience, climate and interior features from the manufacturer's press kit. | ||||||||||||||
| Warrantyw 2 | 73.5 | 100 | ||||||||||||
Basic and powertrain coverage in years and miles. | ||||||||||||||
| Overall | 91.6 | 90.4 | ||||||||||||
Trim vs trim · all 7 categories compared
Subaru Outback: base trim Base AWD · Volkswagen Taos: base trim S FWD. Pick a trim in the tool to compare any other trim.
Raise the warranty weight from 2 to 2.9 and the answer flips.
Where the gap is
the biggest differences, from the scorecard's own numbersWhere the 2027 Subaru Outback wins
- It lists more comfort and tech equipment (27.5 points against 16 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½).
- It lists 24 standard driver-assist features against 18.
- It holds 34.6 cu ft behind the second row against 27.9.
Where the 2027 Volkswagen Taos answers
- It starts $6,495 lower ($26,500 against $32,995 base MSRP).
- It is covered for 50,000 miles basic against 36,000.
What they share
- A Safety Signal of 100.
Ranked by how far apart the two score on each measure, so a price gap and a horsepower gap are compared on the same scale. Every figure is on this page.
Specifications side by side
51 specs · manufacturer press kits| Spec | Subaru OutbackBase AWD | Volkswagen TaosS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Base MSRP (excludes destination) | $32,995 | $26,500 |
| Engine Basics | ||
| Aspiration | naturally aspirated | twin turbo |
| Cylinder count | 4 | 4 |
| Engine displacement | 2,498 cc | 1,498 cc |
| Engine type (full description) | DOHC 4-cylinder horizontally opposed SUBARU BOXER; aluminum cylinder block and heads | 1.5L inline four cylinder, 16V, turbocharged/intercooled, TSI (EA211) |
| Fuel injection system | gdi mpi | TSI |
| Valve configuration | DOHC | DOHC |
| Engine Output | ||
| Horsepower | 180 hp | 174 hp |
| Torque | 178 lb-ft | 184 lb-ft |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| MPG (city) | — | 27 mpg |
| MPG (combined) | — | 30 mpg |
| MPG (highway) | — | 35 mpg |
| Transmission | ||
| Final drive ratio | 4.111 | 3.24 |
| Transmission speeds | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission type | cvt | automatic hybrid |
| Dimensions Exterior | ||
| Ground clearance | 8.7 in | 6.5 in |
| Overall height | 67.5 in | 64.5 in |
| Overall length | 192 in | 176 in |
| Overall width | 74 in | 72.5 in |
| Wheelbase | 108 in | 106 in |
| Cargo | ||
| Cargo volume behind 1st row | 80.5 cu-ft | 65.9 cu-ft |
| Cargo volume behind 2nd row | 34.6 cu-ft | 27.9 cu-ft |
| Total interior volume | 112 cu-ft | 99.5 cu-ft |
| Seating | ||
| Passenger seating capacity | — | 5 |
| Headroom | ||
| Front headroom | 41 in | 40.7 in |
| Second-row headroom | 40.5 in | 39.8 in |
| Legroom | ||
| Front legroom | 43 in | 40.1 in |
| Second-row legroom | 39.5 in | 37.9 in |
| Weights | ||
| Curb weight (maximum) | 3,700 lbs | 3,206 lbs |
| Curb weight (minimum) | 3,700 lbs | 3,206 lbs |
| Gross vehicle weight rating | 5,027 lbs | 4,365 lbs |
| Payload capacity | — | 937 lbs |
| Suspension | ||
| Front suspension type | MacPherson-type struts, lower L-arms, coil springs, dampers, stabilizer bar, hydraulic engine mounts | strut-type with lower control arms, coil springs, telescopic dampers, anti-roll bar |
| Rear suspension type | Double wishbone, coil springs, dampers, stabilizer bar | torsion beam with coil springs, telescopic dampers |
| Steering | ||
| Steering type | Electric Power Assisted Rack-and-Pinion (Dual Pinion) | rack and pinion, electric power assist |
| Turning radius (curb-to-curb) | 36.5 ft | 35.1 ft |
| Brakes | ||
| Front brake diameter | 315 mm | 312 mm |
| Front brake type | ventilated disc | ventilated disc |
| Parking brake type | electronic | electro-mechanical |
| Rear brake diameter | 300 mm | 272 mm |
| Rear brake type | ventilated disc | solid disc |
| Wheels | ||
| Wheel diameter | 18 in | 17 in |
| Wheel material | alloy | alloy |
| Wheel width | 7 in | 7 in |
| Tires | ||
| Tire size | 225/60R18 100H | 215/55 R17 |
| Fuel System | ||
| Fuel tank capacity | 18 gal | 13.2 gal |
| Minimum recommended octane | 87 | 87 |
| Connected Services | ||
| Connected services brand | MySubaru Companion | myVW |
| Connected services trial (standard tier) | 60 months | — |
| Shoulder Room | ||
| Front shoulder room | 57.9 in | 56.5 in |
| Second-row shoulder room | 57.4 in | 55.2 in |
Green marks the better value where the direction is unambiguous (more room, more power, lower price). Blank rows are specs the press kit does not publish.
Equipment, feature by feature
114 features · differences first, then sharedSafety38 differ · 40 listed
| Feature | Subaru OutbackBase AWD | Volkswagen TaosS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Stop & Go | — | std |
| IQ.DRIVE • Front Assist (Forward Collision Warning & Automatic Emergency Braking w/ Pedestrian & Cyclist Monitoring) | — | std |
| Front Assist (Forward Collision Warning & Automatic Emergency Braking w/ Pedestrian & Cyclist Monitoring) | — | std |
| Rear Traffic Alert | — | std |
| Dual front & side airbags, front and rear curtain airbags | — | std |
| Dual front & side airbags, front and rear curtain airbags | — | std |
| Dual front & side airbags, front and rear curtain airbags | — | std |
| Lane Assist (Lane Keeping System) | — | std |
| Rearview Camera | — | std |
| 3-point seatbelts with tensioner height adjust | — | std |
| Adaptive Cruise Control w/Lane Centering | std | — |
| Auto Vehicle Hold | std | — |
| Auto Vehicle Shut Down | std | — |
| Automatic Emergency Steering | std | — |
| Automatic Post-Collision Braking System | — | std |
| Brake Assist | std | — |
| DriverFocus® Driver Monitoring System | std | — |
| Emergency Assist (semi-automated vehicle assistance in a medical emergency) | — | std |
| Emergency Lane Keep Assist | std | — |
| Emergency Stop Assist | std | — |
| EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology | std | — |
| Intelligent Crash Response System | — | std |
| Lane Change Assist | std | — |
| Lane Departure & Lane Sway Warning | std | — |
| Lead Vehicle Start Alert | std | — |
| Light Assist (High Beam Control for headlights) | — | std |
| Passenger Airbag ON / OFF Indicator | std | — |
| Pre-Collision Braking, Follow Distance Warning, and Throttle Management | std | — |
| Rear Cross-Traffic Warning | std | — |
| Rear Radar Detection Sensors | std | — |
| Rear Seat Reminder | std | — |
| Rear-Vision Camera | std | — |
| Reverse Automatic Braking | std | — |
| Seatbelt: Driver's Warning Light & Chime | std | — |
| Travel Assist (semi-automated driving assistance) | — | std |
| Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) with electronic traction control (TCS) and rollover sensors | std | — |
| Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) with electronic traction control (TCS) and rollover sensors | std | — |
| Tire pressure monitoring system | — | std |
| Active Side Assist (Blind Spot Monitor) | std | std |
| Electronic Stability Control (ESC) | std | std |
Infotainment19 differ · 19 listed
| Feature | Subaru OutbackBase AWD | Volkswagen TaosS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| myVW w/ available Wi-Fi | — | std |
| 6-speaker sound system | — | std |
| 6-speaker system | std | — |
| AM/FM Stereo HD Radio® | std | — |
| Bluetooth connectivity | — | std |
| Bluetooth® Audio Streaming, Hands-Free Phone Connectivity, SMS Text Messaging | std | — |
| Composition Media MIB3 infotainment w/ 8-inch display, AM/FM/HD Radio, media player, and voice control | — | std |
| Leatherette-wrapped, heated multifunction steering wheel | — | std |
| MySubaru Companion (5-Year Free Trial/Subscription Required After): SOS Emergency Assistance, Enhanced Roadside Assistance, Advanced Automatic Collision Notification, Maintenance Notifications, Diagnostic Alerts, Vehicle Condition Check, Vehicle Health Report, Service Appointment Scheduler, Remote Vehicle Locator, Stolen Vehicle Recovery and Immobilization | opt | — |
| MySubaru Companion+ (Subscription Required): Remote Engine Start w/Remote Climate Controls, Remote Lock, Unlock, Horn and Lights; Curfew, Boundary and Speed Alerts; Valet Mode w/Password Reset, Pin, and Speed Alert; Trip Logs; Driving Journal; MySubaru Personal Assistant | opt | — |
| Paddle Shift Control | std | — |
| SiriusXM w/ 360L | — | std |
| SiriusXM with 360L (4 Month Free Trial / Subscription required after) | opt | — |
| Subaru 12.1-inch Multimedia System | std | — |
| USB-C ports: 2 front (data and charge) | — | std |
| Voice Activated Controls | std | — |
| Volkswagen Digital Cockpit w/ 8-inch display | — | std |
| Wireless App-Connect (CarPlay, AndroidAuto, MirrorLink) w/ multi-phone pairing capability | — | std |
| Wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ | std | — |
Convenience6 differ · 6 listed
| Feature | Subaru OutbackBase AWD | Volkswagen TaosS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| KESSY keyless access with push-button start | — | std |
| 12-volt outlet | — | std |
| 12-Volt Power Outlet | std | — |
| Door Handles: w/ Driver & Front Passenger Door Unlock/Lock Sensor | std | — |
| Illuminated Engine Start / Stop Switch | std | — |
| Keyless Access w/ Push Button Start | std | — |
Climate1 differ · 1 listed
| Feature | Subaru OutbackBase AWD | Volkswagen TaosS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Manual HVAC | — | std |
Seating4 differ · 7 listed
| Feature | Subaru OutbackBase AWD | Volkswagen TaosS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 10-way Power Driver's Seat (includes 2-way Power Lumbar Support) | std | — |
| Rear Seatback 60/40 split | std | — |
| Reclining Seatback | std | — |
| Whiplash Reducing Front Seats | std | — |
| Heated front seats | std | std |
| 6-way manual driver seat | std | std |
| Cloth seats | std | std |
Interior9 differ · 9 listed
| Feature | Subaru OutbackBase AWD | Volkswagen TaosS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Leatherette-wrapped, heated multifunction steering wheel | — | std |
| Center Dash Panel: Black Tricot Cloth (No Stitch) | std | — |
| Cord Management Clip | std | — |
| Rear Seatback and Cargo Floor (Carpeted) | std | — |
| Rear Seatback Release Levers | std | — |
| Soft Grip Urethane Steering Wheel | std | — |
| Volkswagen Digital Cockpit Pro w/ fully configurable 10.25-inch display | std | — |
| Welcome Lighting | std | — |
| Rear View Mirror: Day / Night | std | — |
Exterior25 differ · 26 listed
| Feature | Subaru OutbackBase AWD | Volkswagen TaosS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Premium LED projector headlights w/ LED DRLs, all-weather lights | — | std |
| 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels w/ all-season tires | — | std |
| 18-inch five-spoke machined alloy wheels w/ all-season tires | — | std |
| Black roof rails | — | std |
| Door Handles: Body Color | std | — |
| Front Badge: Subaru 6 Star Logo | std | — |
| Front Grille: Black Insert Material w/ Black Accent | std | — |
| Heated front washer nozzles | — | std |
| LED Fog Lights | std | — |
| LED Steering Responsive Headlights w/Automatic High Beams | std | — |
| LED taillights and LED rear license plate lighting | — | std |
| Power Mirrors: Black | std | — |
| Rain-sensing wipers | — | std |
| Rear Badge / Black: OUTBACK | std | — |
| Rear Badge / Black: SYMMETRICAL AWD | std | — |
| Rear Badge: 6 Star Logo | std | — |
| Rear Bumper Trailer Hitch Cover | std | — |
| Roof Rail Tie Down Points: Black Finish | std | — |
| Roof Rails: Raised Ladder Type: Black finish w/ Black finish End Mount Accent Covers and Crossbar | std | — |
| Side Cladding Letter Imprint: SYMMETRICAL AWD | std | — |
| Sound Insulating Windshield | std | — |
| Wheel Arch & Side Cladding: Black | std | — |
| Windshield Wiper De-Icer (All-Weather Package) | std | — |
| Automatic headlights w/ "Coming Home/Leaving Home" feature | — | std |
| Rear Roof Spoiler: Body Color w/ Black Edge & End Panels | std | — |
| Power-adjustable, heated side mirrors | std | std |
Powertrain3 differ · 4 listed
| Feature | Subaru OutbackBase AWD | Volkswagen TaosS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Front-wheel drive | — | std |
| Driving Mode Selection | — | std |
| X-MODE® Single-Mode System with Hill Descent Control | std | — |
| 4Motion all-wheel drive | std | std |
Cargo2 differ · 2 listed
| Feature | Subaru OutbackBase AWD | Volkswagen TaosS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Sub-floor Cargo Area Storage Cover | std | — |
| Sub-floor Tire Repair Kit | std | — |
Highlighted rows are where the two differ. Wording is the manufacturer's own.
Safety record
NHTSA recalls, complaints, NCAPSubaru Outback
Top recalls
No recalls on file.
Volkswagen Taos
Top recalls
No recalls on file.
Ownership
EPA, manufacturer warranty| Subaru OutbackBase AWD | Volkswagen TaosS FWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $32,995 (base trim) | $26,500 (base trim) |
| Price range across trims | $32,995 – $46,595 7 trims | $26,500 – $35,900 9 trims |
| Powertrains | GAS | GAS |
| EPA configuration compared | Outback AWD | Taos |
| Combined mpg / MPGe | 27 | 30 |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $2,500 | $2,250 |
| EV range | — | — |
| Basic warranty | 3 yr / 36,000 mi | 4 yr / 50,000 mi |
| Powertrain warranty | 5 yr / 60,000 mi | — |
| Roadside assistance | — | 3 yr |
Common questions
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsWhich is better, the 2027 Subaru Outback or the 2027 Volkswagen Taos?
Too close to call: Subaru Outback 91.6 vs Volkswagen Taos 90.4 with these weights. The Volkswagen Taos is ahead on price and warranty. Raise the warranty weight from 2 to 2.9 and it flips. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2027 Subaru Outback scores 91.6 and the 2027 Volkswagen Taos 90.4. The weights are yours to change — move what you care about and the verdict recalculates on the page.
Which is cheaper, the 2027 Subaru Outback or the 2027 Volkswagen Taos?
The 2027 Volkswagen Taos starts lower — $26,500 against $32,995, a gap of $6,495 at the trims compared here. Both are manufacturer MSRPs before destination, options and dealer charges.
Which has the better safety record, the 2027 Subaru Outback or the 2027 Volkswagen Taos?
2027 Subaru Outback: no NHTSA rating yet, grade A, 0 recalls. 2027 Volkswagen Taos: no NHTSA rating yet, grade A, 0 recalls. Crash ratings come from NHTSA's own tests; the grade is WhichTrim's read of the recall record, and the two can disagree.
What are the biggest differences between the 2027 Subaru Outback and the 2027 Volkswagen Taos?
Where the 2027 Subaru Outback wins: it lists more comfort and tech equipment (27.5 points against 16 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½), lists 24 standard driver-assist features against 18, and holds 34.6 cu ft behind the second row against 27.9. Where the 2027 Volkswagen Taos answers: it starts $6,495 lower ($26,500 against $32,995 base MSRP) and is covered for 50,000 miles basic against 36,000. What they share: a Safety Signal of 100.