Kia Sportage vs Volkswagen Taos

The roads of Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Rio Rancho, New Mexico, are made for compact models. You can load up the whole ride with your friends or the cargo you need for your day. Popular model options on the road today are the Kia Sportage and the Volkswagen Taos.

Both of them are of a similar size, so which model is the better choice? Pitre Kia is here to help you figure it out. Our team has created this Kia Sportage vs. VW Taos comparison to tackle their performance, interior, and safety features, so you can see for yourself.

Performance

An important factor when considering your next set of wheels is performance. Odds are that you probably want a ride that's fun to drive and has plenty of power to get you where you want to go.

The VW Taos has one engine option-a standard 1.5L turbocharged engine that works with an 8-speed automatic transmission and generates 158 horsepower. Front-wheel drive is standard, but available 4MOTION® all-wheel drive is an option for those who want it.

The Kia Sportage has a bit more power and flexibility since you get two engine options. The standard one is a 2.4L 4-cylinder engine with an output of 181 horsepower, which outperforms the VW Taos right out of the gate. The second option-an available 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine-goes even further, offering 240 horsepower!

Inside the Cabin

The VW Taos and the Kia Sportage interiors are comfortable and stylish. Both provide standard cloth trim seats with optional upgrades like leather seat trims. The VW Taos also offers an 8-way power-adjustable driver's seat, but the Sportage comes in with an available 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat.

Technology to keep you connected and make your drives more fun is standard on both models. The Sportage offers Bluetooth® capability from the first trim onward, just like the VW Taos.

Each model also offers color touchscreens. Although the VW Taos starts out with a 6.5-inch touchscreen and offers an optional 8-inch one, the standard Sportage touchscreen starts out at eight inches.

Safety and Driver-Assist Features

One of the many aspects of these rides that makes them so safe on the road today is their driver-assist and safety features. Both the VW Taos and the Kia Sportage have similar features, like:

• Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning-See directly behind your ride when in reverse with an image on your infotainment screen.
• Blind-Spot Collision Warning-This system keeps an eye on your blind spots when you're changing lanes. If there is a ride in your blind spot, it lets you know.

The Sportage has an additional feature that comes standard, which the Taos doesn't have-Driver Attention Warning. This feature keeps an eye on your driving patterns to detect potential distracted driving. If you seem inattentive, it will warn you.

Get Behind the Wheel of the Kia Sportage

It's a tough race but when we compare the performance, interior, and safety features of the Kia Sportage and the Volkswagen Taos, it's clear that the Kia Sportage pulls ahead for the win.

Do you want to see how the Kia Sportage performs on the streets of Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Rio Rancho, NM? Visit Pitre Kia to get behind the wheel and experience it for yourself or schedule a test drive online today!