2025 Volkswagen Taos vs. 2025 Buick Encore GX Comparability

The 2025 Volkswagen Taos and 2025 Buick Encore GX are subcompact SUVs with seating for 5 and non-obligatory all-wheel drive (AWD). They’re stable selections in a crowded phase that features rivals just like the Toyota Corolla Cross, Chevrolet Trailblazer, Honda HR-V, Kia Seltos, and Hyundai Kona. 

Each the Taos and Encore GX have beginning costs hovering within the $26,000 to $27,000 vary, which makes them extremely reasonably priced in comparison with bigger SUVs. Their tidy dimensions imply they’re simple to park and splendid for navigating city visitors, plus their turbocharged engines are simple on the gas price range. VW gave the Taos a mid-cycle refresh, whereas Buick made just a few slight tweaks to the Encore GX for this mannequin yr. Each, nevertheless, stay sturdy rivals within the subcompact area.

Let’s check out the highlights of the Volkswagen Taos and Buick Encore GX.

2025 Volkswagen Taos

The 2025 VW Taos is offered in 4 trims: S, SE, SE Black, and SEL. New for the 2025 mannequin yr is revised exterior styling that features a new entrance bumper, grille and LED projector headlights. Related taillights and an illuminated VW badge venture an upscale look. A brand new dashboard with a floating 8-inch infotainment display screen and a 16-horsepower increase spherical out the extra important upgrades. The Taos has spectacular cargo house for its diminutive dimension, with as much as 27.9 cubic toes behind the rear seats and as much as 65.9 cubic toes with the seats folded.

Powering each Taos is a 174-hp turbocharged 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine related to an 8-speed automated transmission. Entrance-wheel drive is commonplace, with all-wheel drive as non-obligatory on the S, SE, and SE Black. The range-topping SEL comes with all-wheel drive. Pricing begins at $26,420, together with vacation spot charge. 

Volkswagen Taos Highlights 

Spirited efficiency: Our many miles behind the wheel of the Taos have left us impressed with its full of life driving manners. The steering is properly weighted, and the suspension is well-balanced — not too delicate nor too agency. Whereas many rivals provide a alternative of a couple of engine, the turbo 4-cylinder within the Taos has cheap ranges of get-up-and-go in metropolis and freeway driving. We’re completely satisfied to see much more energy added for 2025.

Digital Cockpit: This engaging digital instrument show is 8 inches within the Taos S, SE, and SE Black, and 10.25 inches within the SEL. As a substitute of getting to look at a dash-mounted display screen, the Digital Cockpit locations automobile info — like navigation instructions and audio settings — straight in entrance of the driving force.  

Free upkeep: The bumper-to-bumper and powertrain guarantee of the Volkswagen Taos is pretty commonplace at 4 years/50,000 miles. Nonetheless, one good perk is that VW tosses in two years/20,000 miles of complimentary upkeep, whichever comes first, into the cut price. 

Learn our Volkswagen Taos Professional Evaluation or see 2025 Volkswagen Taos fashions on the market close to you.

2025 Buick Encore GX

2024 mannequin proven

At $27,235, the Buick Encore GX has an entry-level worth just a few hundred {dollars} increased than that of the Volkswagen Taos. Nestled between mainstream Chevrolet and upmarket Cadillac, the Buick model goals for a barely extra premium tackle mass-market automobiles – however minus full luxury-brand pricing. 

Customary options are plentiful and embody fake leather-based seat trim, an 11-inch touchscreen, 8-inch digital instrument show, wi-fi smartphone connectivity, and extra. A 137-hp turbocharged 1.2-liter 3-cylinder is commonplace, and a 155-hp turbo 3-cylinder is non-obligatory. The bottom engine is front-wheel-drive solely, whereas the peppier variant provides front- and all-wheel drive.

Buick Encore GX Highlights

Properly appointed base mannequin: Too usually the bottom trim of a given automobile is a continuing reminder that you just didn’t spring for a fancier, better-equipped model. Not so with the Encore GX. There are three trims: Most popular, Sport Touring, and Avenir. Buick isn’t shy about loading the entry-level Most popular mannequin with trendy conveniences. This contains security options like automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keeping help, and automated excessive beams.

Nice infotainment system: The 11-inch touchscreen is a breeze to function whereas driving. Massive icons and clear menus are an enormous a part of what makes us followers of this method. Along with wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, it comes with a Wi-Fi scorching spot, satellite tv for pc radio, and a pair of USB ports. 

Posh Avenir mannequin: Beginning beneath $33,000, the Avenir trim is full of goodies like a heated steering wheel, heated entrance seats, dual-zone local weather management, 19-inch alloy wheels, and driver’s seat reminiscence settings. 

Learn our Buick Encore GX Professional Evaluation or see 2025 Buick Encore GX fashions on the market close to you.

Similarities

There may be a number of overlap between these two completed small SUVs. They’ve adult-friendly second rows, surprisingly commodious cargo areas, and base fashions that don’t really feel such as you’re being punished for not scaling the heights of obtainable trims.

Conclusion

Beginning with the Buick Encore GX, we expect it makes a ton of sense if worth is your high demand in a subcompact SUV. It actually does include many options that value further on competing fashions. A number of extra highlights embody a quiet trip aided by energetic noise cancellation tech. But some quibbles embody lackluster acceleration offered by both engine, together with some subpar inside trim items.

The Volkswagen Taos delivers zestier driving dynamics coupled with a frugal urge for food for gas. Its cargo space is larger than that of the Encore GX, and it has a few inches extra rear legroom. Value and take a look at drive each the Buick and VW; though, we’d lean extra towards the Volkswagen Taos when selecting a winner right here.

The Kelley Blue E book Truthful Buy Value for any particular person used automobile can differ enormously in keeping with mileage, situation, location, and different elements.
The costs right here mirror what patrons are presently paying for New 2025 Volkswagen Taos automobiles and New 2025 Buick Encore GX automobiles in typical situation when buying from a dealership.
These costs are up to date weekly. The producer’s prompt retail worth (MSRP) quoted contains the vacation spot charge, however doesn’t embody tax, license, doc charges, and choices.