Subaru Crosstrek vs Volkswagen Taos: cost to own

Verdict, over 6 years

The Subaru Crosstrek costs about $5,722 less

That's $79 a month. Closest matching trims: same fuel and drive where possible.

Crosstrek Convenience✓ $962/moTrue cost

Taos Trendline 4MOTION$1,042/moTrue cost

2027 Subaru Crosstrek

Closest matching trim: Crosstrek Convenience

Sticker (MSRP)$30,695

+$7,428→↓Freight, fees, HST

Drive away$38,123

+ running costs→↓− $18,934 resale

True cost$962/moA month to own, after resale

2026 Volkswagen Taos

Closest matching trim: Taos Trendline 4MOTION

Sticker (MSRP)$32,595

+$7,714→↓Freight, fees, HST

Drive away$40,309

+ running costs→↓− $15,972 resale

True cost$1,042/moA month to own, after resale

Line by line


Price
Sticker (MSRP)	✓ $30,695	$32,595	Crosstrek by $1,900
Freight and fees, before tax	✓ $3,042	$3,077	Crosstrek by $35
Sales tax (HST)	✓ $4,386	$4,637	Crosstrek by $251
Drive-away price	✓ $38,123	$40,309	Crosstrek by $2,186
Running costs, 6 years
Fuel or charging	✓ $13,559	$14,062	Crosstrek by $503
Insurance (estimate)	✓ $11,878	$11,944	Crosstrek by $66
Maintenance (estimate)	$9,519	✓ $8,643	Taos by $876
Loan rate	6.5%	6.5%	—
Loan interest	✓ $6,966	$7,426	Crosstrek by $460
Lost return on your money	✓ $8,091	$8,513	Crosstrek by $422
Resale after 6 yrs	✓ −$18,934	−$15,972	Crosstrek by $2,962
Total
True cost	✓ $69,293	$75,016	Crosstrek by $5,723
True cost a month	✓ $962/mo	$1,042/mo	Crosstrek by $80
You pay each month	✓ $1,044/mo	$1,076/mo	Crosstrek by $32
Practical
Fuel type	Gas	Gas	—
Seats	5	5	—
Carry-ons, 2 people	5	6	—
Towing, lb	1,500	—	—
Cargo behind row 2, litres	564	✓ 705	—
Length	4.48 m	4.47 m	—
Ground clearance	✓ 22 cm	19 cm	—
Resale % after 6 yrs	✓ 62%	49%	—
US crash test	✓ 5★	4★	—
European crash test	✓ 5★ (2024)	—	—

Price

Sticker (MSRP)

Crosstrek Convenience ✓ $30,695Taos Trendline 4MOTION $32,595Cheaper by Crosstrek by $1,900

Freight and fees, before tax

Crosstrek Convenience ✓ $3,042Taos Trendline 4MOTION $3,077Cheaper by Crosstrek by $35

Sales tax (HST)

Crosstrek Convenience ✓ $4,386Taos Trendline 4MOTION $4,637Cheaper by Crosstrek by $251

Drive-away price

Crosstrek Convenience ✓ $38,123Taos Trendline 4MOTION $40,309Cheaper by Crosstrek by $2,186

Running costs, 6 years

Fuel or charging

Crosstrek Convenience ✓ $13,559Taos Trendline 4MOTION $14,062Cheaper by Crosstrek by $503

Insurance (estimate)

Crosstrek Convenience ✓ $11,878Taos Trendline 4MOTION $11,944Cheaper by Crosstrek by $66

Maintenance (estimate)

Crosstrek Convenience $9,519Taos Trendline 4MOTION ✓ $8,643Cheaper by Taos by $876

Loan rate

Crosstrek Convenience 6.5%Taos Trendline 4MOTION 6.5%Cheaper by —

Loan interest

Crosstrek Convenience ✓ $6,966Taos Trendline 4MOTION $7,426Cheaper by Crosstrek by $460

Lost return on your money

Crosstrek Convenience ✓ $8,091Taos Trendline 4MOTION $8,513Cheaper by Crosstrek by $422

Resale after 6 yrs

Crosstrek Convenience ✓ −$18,934Taos Trendline 4MOTION −$15,972Cheaper by Crosstrek by $2,962

Total

True cost

Crosstrek Convenience ✓ $69,293Taos Trendline 4MOTION $75,016Cheaper by Crosstrek by $5,723

True cost a month

Crosstrek Convenience ✓ $962/moTaos Trendline 4MOTION $1,042/moCheaper by Crosstrek by $80

You pay each month

Crosstrek Convenience ✓ $1,044/moTaos Trendline 4MOTION $1,076/moCheaper by Crosstrek by $32

Practical

Fuel type

Crosstrek Convenience GasTaos Trendline 4MOTION GasCheaper by —

Seats

Crosstrek Convenience 5Taos Trendline 4MOTION 5Cheaper by —

Carry-ons, 2 people

Crosstrek Convenience 5Taos Trendline 4MOTION 6Cheaper by —

Towing, lb

Crosstrek Convenience 1,500Taos Trendline 4MOTION —Cheaper by —

Cargo behind row 2, litres

Crosstrek Convenience 564Taos Trendline 4MOTION ✓ 705Cheaper by —

Length

Crosstrek Convenience 4.48 mTaos Trendline 4MOTION 4.47 mCheaper by —

Ground clearance

Crosstrek Convenience ✓ 22 cmTaos Trendline 4MOTION 19 cmCheaper by —

Resale % after 6 yrs

Crosstrek Convenience ✓ 62%Taos Trendline 4MOTION 49%Cheaper by —

US crash test

Crosstrek Convenience ✓ 5★Taos Trendline 4MOTION 4★Cheaper by —

European crash test

Crosstrek Convenience ✓ 5★ (2024)Taos Trendline 4MOTION —Cheaper by —

✓ marks the better figure. Resale is from used prices: the Crosstrek from its own, the Taos typical for its type and brand. Their stickers differ by $1,900.