Compare the2026 Volkswagen TaosVS 2026 Nissan Rogue

Safety
Warranty
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages

Safety

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Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the Taos deploy with different levels of force or don’t deploy at all to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The Taos’ side airbags will shut off if a child is leaning against the door. The Rogue’s side airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Volkswagen Taos achieved a “Acceptable” rating - the second highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Nissan Rogue has not been tested.

The Taos has a standard Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Rogue doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Both the Taos and Rogue have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Taos has Rear Traffic Alert (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Rogue’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Taos and the Rogue have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive and rear parking sensors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Volkswagen Taos is safer than the Nissan Rogue:

	Taos	Rogue
	Driver
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	32%	33%
Neck Compression	28 lbs.	54 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	103/74 lbs.	70/234 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	224	319
Neck Stress	135 lbs.	193 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Volkswagen Taos is safer than the Nissan Rogue:

	Taos	Rogue
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	12 inches	13 inches

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Volkswagen Taos is safer than the Rogue:

	Taos	Rogue
Overall Evaluation	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	189	290
Head Peak Forces	no contact	81 G’s
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Head Protection	GOOD	MARGINAL
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head Injury Criterion	259	455
Head Peak Forces	no contact	89 G’s
Neck Compression	112 lbs.	402 lbs.
Shoulder Force	312 lbs.	379 lbs.
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Head Protection	GOOD	MARGINAL

Warranty

The Taos comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck. The Rogue’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The Taos’ corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Rogue’s (7 vs. 5 years).

Fuel Economy and Range

The Taos has a standard locking fuel door with a power remote release convenient to the driver. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Rogue. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Volkswagen Taos higher (7 out of 10) than the Nissan Rogue (5). This means the Taos produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Rogue every 15,000 miles.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Taos’ front brake rotors are larger than those on the Rogue:

	Taos	Rogue
Front Rotors	12.3 inches	11.7 inches

The Taos stops shorter than the Rogue:

	Taos	Rogue
70 to 0 MPH	176 feet	177 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	130 feet	134 feet	Consumer Reports
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	134 feet	147 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

The Taos 4Motion®’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Rogue S’ standard 65 series tires. The Taos 4Motion®’s optional tires have a lower 45 series profile than the Rogue SL/Platinum/Dark Armor’s 55 series tires.

Suspension and Handling

The Taos has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Rogue’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The Taos’ front to rear weight distribution is more even (57% to 43%) than the Rogue’s (58.6% to 41.4%). This gives the Taos more stable handling and braking.

The Taos SEL 4Motion® handles at .85 G’s, while the Rogue Platinum pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Taos SEL 4Motion® executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Rogue Platinum (27.4 seconds @ .61 average G’s vs. 27.9 seconds @ .59 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Taos 4Motion®’s turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the Rogue’s (34.8 feet vs. 35.4 feet). The Taos’ turning circle is .3 feet tighter than the Rogue’s (35.1 feet vs. 35.4 feet).

Chassis

The Volkswagen Taos may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 pounds less than the Nissan Rogue.

The Taos is 7.1 inches shorter than the Rogue, making the Taos easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The design of the Volkswagen Taos amounts to more than styling. The Taos has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .31 Cd. That is lower than the Rogue (.33) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the Taos get better fuel mileage.

Passenger Space

The front step up height for the Taos is 1.1 inches lower than the Rogue (16.5” vs. 17.6”). The Taos’ rear step up height is 1.8 inches lower than the Rogue’s (16.7” vs. 18.5”).

Cargo Capacity

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Taos easier. The Taos’ cargo hatch lift-over height is 27 inches, while the Rogue’s liftover is 29.4 inches.

Ergonomics

The Taos’ front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Rogue’s passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

The Taos’ rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Rogue’s standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the Taos to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Rogue doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Taos SE/SEL has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Rogue doesn’t offer cornering lights. The Taos SE/SEL also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Taos SEL keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Rogue doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Taos has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the Rogue.

Economic Advantages

According to iSeeCars.com the 2025 Volkswagen Taos retains 51.91% of its original value after 5 years, more than the 51.38% resale value of the 2025 Nissan Rogue after five years, which can save the Volkswagen’s owner up to $1880.70602 in depreciation.

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