Small but mighty. If that’s what you’re looking for in your next SUV, then the 2025 Buick Encore GX and 2025 Volkswagen Taos must be at the top of your shopping list.
Regarding small SUVs, these two models offer impressive mixes of performance, space, and technology at a reasonable price for the segment. Let’s see how these two offerings surprise and delight.
2025 Buick Encore GX
2024 model shown
The 2025 Buick Encore GX is now the smallest vehicle in the brand’s lineup, but don’t confuse small with chintzy. The brand made its luxurious Avenir trim the top option of the three available for the Encore GX. Moving up gets you heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, leather upholstery, and soft-touch materials for the front passengers.
The Buick Encore GX has two engine options: a 137-horsepower turbocharged 1.2-liter 3-cylinder (standard in the Preferred trim) or a 155-hp, 1.3-liter turbocharged 3-cylinder (standard on the Sport Touring and Avenir trims, available on the Preferred). Neither engine sounds overly impressive, but these are small, lightweight vehicles, so the more powerful 1.3-liter provides surprisingly sprightly performance. Pricing starts at $27,235, including the mandatory destination charge.
Buick Encore GX Highlights
Plenty of space: The exterior footprint may be small, but the interior cabin is spacious, including room for average-sized adults in the second row.
Bigger technology: The Encore GX’s cabin features an 8-inch digital gauge cluster and an 11-inch infotainment touchscreen, which is standard across the lineup.
All-wheel drive: The Buick Encore GX is eligible for all-wheel drive (AWD) on each trim level — which also means choosing the slightly more powerful engine on the Preferred trim — 155 hp versus 137 hp, but that’s not a bad thing. Buick’s other subcompact SUV, the Envista, is front-wheel drive (FWD) only.
Read our Kia Sportage Expert Review or see 2025 Kia Sportage models for sale near you.
2025 Volkswagen Taos
Volkswagen revised the 2025 Volkswagen Taos featuring a new grille, front bumper, and LED projector headlights up front, and an illuminated VW badge and connected taillights at the rear. This doesn’t sound like much; however, taken as a whole, the enhancements translate into a more upscale appearance. VW also buffed up the dashboard, which includes a floating 8-inch infotainment screen. Impressive is the amount of cargo space crammed into this small package. Behind the rear seat is 27.9 cubic feet of cargo stowage, while folding that seat down inflates the cargo space to 65.9 cubic feet.
Also included in the make over is a 16 pony horsepower boost to 174 hp. This generated from a turbocharged 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine that pushes its output to the wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard, with all-wheel drive (AWD) as optional on the S, SE, and SE Black. The range-topping SEL comes with all-wheel drive. Prices start at $26,420, including the destination charge.
Volkswagen Taos Highlights
Digital Cockpit: This attractive digital instrument display is 8 inches in the Taos S, SE, and SE Black, and 10.25 inches in the SEL. We like that Instead of having to glance at a dash-mounted screen, the Digital Cockpit places vehicle information, like navigation commands and stereo settings, directly in front of the driver.
Free and easy: All new 2024 Taos models come with two years or 20,000 miles of complimentary maintenance. The Buick Encore GX has a better powertrain warranty but no complimentary maintenance other than your first visit.
Driver-friendly: Our many miles behind the wheel of the Taos have left us impressed with its lively driving manners. The steering is nicely weighted, and the suspension is well-balanced — not too soft nor too firm. While many rivals offer a choice of more than one engine, the turbo 4-cylinder in the Taos has reasonable levels of get-up-and-go in city and highway driving.
Read our Volkswagen Taos Expert Review or see 2025 Volkswagen Taos models for sale near you.
Similarities
The Buick Encore GX and Volkswagen Taos use simple, classic lines for appealing exterior styling. They also offer good space inside their cabins with easily accessible convenience and safety technology.
Conclusion
With a bit more power, interior space, and a lower starting price, it’s hard to ignore the appeal of the VW Taos, especially with an impressive 33 mpg highway. However, the Buick is just a bit nicer on the inside. It’s a premium/near luxury brand, and for just a bit more money, that could make for a more enjoyable experience over the vehicle’s life. The Buick is a little fancier, but the Taos delivers slightly more bang for the buck.
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The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors. The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for vehicles and vehicles in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership. These prices are updated weekly. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) quoted includes the destination fee, but does not include tax, license, document fees, and options.
| 2025 Buick Encore GX | 2025 Volkswagen Taos | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 1.2-liter turbo 3-cylinder | 1.5-liter turbo 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 137 hp @ 5,000 rpm | 174 hp @ 5,500 rpm |
| Torque | 162 lb-ft @ 2,500 rpm | 184 @ 1,750 rpm |
| Transmission | CVT | 8-speed automatic |
| Fuel Economy | 29 city/30 highway/30 combined mpg | 28 city/33 highway/31 combined mpg |
| Also Available | 1.3-liter turbo 4-cylinder, AWD | AWD |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | 5-Stars | 4-Stars |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 102.2 inches | 105.9 inches |
| Overall Length | 171.4 inches | 175.8 inches |
| Width | 71.4 inches | 72.5 inches |
| Height | 64.1 inches | 64.4 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 36.8 feet | 35.1 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 39.7 inches | 40.7 inches |
| Headroom, Rear | 38.1 inches | 39.8 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 40.9 inches | 40.1 inches |
| Legroom, Rear | 36.0 inches | 37.9 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 55.4 inches | 56.5 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Rear | 53.6 inches | 55.2 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 23.5 cubic feet | 27.9 cubic feet |
