The 2025 Volkswagen Taos and 2025 Buick Encore GX are subcompact SUVs with seating for five and optional all-wheel drive (AWD). They’re solid choices in a crowded segment that includes rivals like the Toyota Corolla Cross, Chevrolet Trailblazer, Honda HR-V, Kia Seltos, and Hyundai Kona.
Both the Taos and Encore GX have starting prices hovering in the $26,000 to $27,000 range, which makes them highly affordable compared to larger SUVs. Their tidy dimensions mean they’re easy to park and ideal for navigating urban traffic, plus their turbocharged engines are easy on the fuel budget. VW gave the Taos a mid-cycle refresh, while Buick made a few slight tweaks to the Encore GX for this model year. Both, however, remain strong competitors in the subcompact arena.
Let’s take a look at the highlights of the Volkswagen Taos and Buick Encore GX.
2025 Volkswagen Taos
The 2025 VW Taos is available in four trims: S, SE, SE Black, and SEL. New for the 2025 model year is revised exterior styling that includes a new front bumper, grille and LED projector headlights. Connected taillights and an illuminated VW badge project an upscale appearance. A new dashboard with a floating 8-inch infotainment screen and a 16-horsepower boost round out the more significant upgrades. The Taos has impressive cargo space for its diminutive size, with up to 27.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats and up to 65.9 cubic feet with the seats folded.
Powering every Taos is a 174-hp turbocharged 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine connected to an 8-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, with all-wheel drive as optional on the S, SE, and SE Black. The range-topping SEL comes with all-wheel drive. Pricing starts at $26,420, including destination fee.
Volkswagen Taos Highlights
Spirited performance: 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. We’re happy to see even more power added for 2025.
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. Instead of having to glance at a dash-mounted screen, the Digital Cockpit places vehicle information — like navigation commands and audio settings — directly in front of the driver.
Free maintenance: The bumper-to-bumper and powertrain warranty of the Volkswagen Taos is fairly standard at four years/50,000 miles. However, one nice perk is that VW tosses in two years/20,000 miles of complimentary maintenance, whichever comes first, into the bargain.
Read our Volkswagen Taos Expert Review or see 2025 Volkswagen Taos models for sale near you.
2025 Buick Encore GX
2024 model shown
At $27,235, the Buick Encore GX has an entry-level price a few hundred dollars higher than that of the Volkswagen Taos. Nestled between mainstream Chevrolet and upmarket Cadillac, the Buick brand aims for a slightly more premium take on mass-market vehicles – but minus full luxury-brand pricing.
Standard features are plentiful and include faux leather seat trim, an 11-inch touchscreen, 8-inch digital instrument display, wireless smartphone connectivity, and more. A 137-hp turbocharged 1.2-liter 3-cylinder is standard, and a 155-hp turbo 3-cylinder is optional. The base engine is front-wheel-drive only, whereas the peppier variant offers front- and all-wheel drive.
Buick Encore GX Highlights
Nicely appointed base model: Too often the base trim of a given vehicle is a constant reminder that you didn’t spring for a fancier, better-equipped version. Not so with the Encore GX. There are three trims: Preferred, Sport Touring, and Avenir. Buick isn’t shy about loading the entry-level Preferred model with modern conveniences. This includes safety features like automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high beams.
Great infotainment system: The 11-inch touchscreen is a breeze to operate while driving. Large icons and clear menus are a big part of what makes us fans of this system. In addition to wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, it comes with a Wi-Fi hot spot, satellite radio, and a pair of USB ports.
Posh Avenir model: Starting under $33,000, the Avenir trim is packed with goodies like a heated steering wheel, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, 19-inch alloy wheels, and driver’s seat memory settings.
Read our Buick Encore GX Expert Review or see 2025 Buick Encore GX models for sale near you.
Similarities
There is a lot of overlap between these two accomplished small SUVs. They have adult-friendly second rows, surprisingly commodious cargo areas, and base models that don’t feel like you’re being punished for not scaling the heights of available trims.
Conclusion
Starting with the Buick Encore GX, we think it makes a ton of sense if value is your top demand in a subcompact SUV. It really does come with many features that cost extra on competing models. A few more highlights include a quiet ride aided by active noise cancellation tech. Yet some quibbles include lackluster acceleration provided by either engine, along with some subpar interior trim pieces.
The Volkswagen Taos delivers zestier driving dynamics coupled with a frugal appetite for fuel. Its cargo area is bigger than that of the Encore GX, and it has a couple of inches more rear legroom. Price and test drive both the Buick and VW; although, we’d lean more toward the Volkswagen Taos when picking a winner here.
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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 Volkswagen Taos | 2025 Buick Encore GX | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | Turbocharged 1.5-liter 4-cylinder | Turbocharged 1.2-liter 3-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 174 hp @ 5,500 rpm | 137 hp @ 5,000 rpm |
| Torque | N/A | 162 lb-ft @ 2,500 rpm |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | CVT |
| Fuel economy MPG | 28 city/33 highway/31 combined | 29 city/30 highway/30 combined |
| Also Available | Turbo 1.3-liter 3-cyl., 9-speed automatic, AWD | |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 4 years/50,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 4 years/50,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | 4-Star | 5-Star |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 105.9 inches | 102.0 inches |
| Overall Length | 175.8 inches | 171.1 inches |
| Width | 72.5 inches | 71.3 inches |
| Height | 64.4 inches | 64.1 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 37.6 feet | 36.9 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 40.7 inches | 39.7 inches |
| Headroom, Rear | 39.8 inches | 38.1 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 40.1 inches | 40.9 inches |
| Legroom, Rear | 37.9 inches | 36.0 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 56.5 inches | 55.4 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Rear | 55.2 inches | 53.6 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 27.9 cubic feet | 23.5 cubic feet |
