2024 Volkswagen Taos vs. 2024 Buick Encore GX Comparison

The 2024 Volkswagen Taos and Buick Encore GX are five-seat subcompact SUVs with optional all-wheel drive (AWD). It’s a solid choice in a crowded segment that includes rivals like the Toyota Corolla Cross, Chevrolet Trailblazer, Honda HR-V, and Hyundai Kona.

The Taos and Encore GX both have starting prices hovering around $25,000, which makes them relatively affordable compared to larger SUVs. Their compact dimensions mean they are easy to park and ideal for moving traffic, plus their turbocharged engines are good for the fuel budget. VW and Buick have also made significant updates this model year to keep their small SUVs competitive.

Let’s take a look at the highlights of the Volkswagen Taos and Buick Encore GX.

2024 Volkswagen Taos

The 2024 Taos is available in four trims: S, SE, SE Black, and SEL. New for the 2024 model year is the standard installation of the IQ.Drive package of driver aids. The SE Black model is another new addition to the Taos lineup for 2024. It comes with black exterior trim pieces, including black wheels, a black roof, and black badging. The Tao 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 158-hp turbocharged 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine mated to an 8-speed or 7-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard and AWD is optional on the S, SE, and SE Black. The SEL comes with AWD. Front-drive models use an 8-speed automatic transmission, while all-wheel drive variants use a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Pricing starts at $25,420, including destination charge.

Volkswagen Taos Attractions

Spirit performance: Our many miles behind the wheel of the Taos have left us with a pleasant driving habit. The steering is nicely weighted, and the suspension is balanced – not too soft or too firm. While many rivals offer more than one engine option, the turbo 4-cylinder in the Taos has reasonable levels of get-up-and-go in the city and highway driving.

Digital Cockpit: This impressive 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 look at a dash-mounted screen, the Digital Cockpit puts vehicle information—such as navigation commands and stereo settings—directly in front of the driver.

Free maintenance: The Volkswagen Taos bumper-to-bumper and powertrain warranty is standard at four years/50,000 miles. However, one nice benefit is that VW throws in two years/20,000 miles of free maintenance, whichever comes first, into the deal.

Check this week Fair Purchase Price or see Examples of Taos close to you

2024 Buick Encore GX

At $26,895, the Buick Encore GX is priced slightly higher than the Volkswagen Taos. Positioned between mainstream Chevrolet and mass-market Cadillac, the Buick brand aims to get the highest premium for mass-market cars — but minus the full luxury brand price tag.

Standard features are plentiful and include faux leather trim, an 11-inch touchscreen, an 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, while the peppier variant offers both front- and all-wheel drive.

Highlights of the Buick Encore GX

An example of a well-placed foundation: Too often the base model of a particular car is a constant reminder that you didn’t get the fancier, better equipped version. Not so with the Encore GX. There are three trims — Preferred, Sport Touring, and Avenir — and Buick isn’t shy about loading the Preferred model with modern equipment. This includes safety features such as automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane keeping assist and automatic high beams.

Large information system: The 11-inch touchscreen is easy 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 hotspot, satellite radio, and a pair of USB ports.

Example of Posh Avenir: Starting around $31,000, the Avenir trim is loaded with goodies like a heated steering wheel, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, 19-inch alloy wheels, and memory settings for the driver’s seat.

Check this week Fair Purchase Price or see Install GX models close to you

Similarity

There is a lot of overlap between these two compact SUVs. They have adult-friendly second rows, amazing cargo areas, and basic structures that feel like you’re being punished for not maximizing the available dimensions.

Conclusion

Starting with the Buick Encore GX, we think it makes a lot of sense if value is what you’re after most in a small SUV. It comes with many features that cost more than competing models. A few more highlights include a quiet ride aided by active noise canceling technology. Still some of the controversies include the lackluster acceleration offered by either engine, as well as cheap interior trim pieces.

The Volkswagen Taos offers an understated driving dynamics as well as an unhealthy appetite for fuel. Its cargo area is larger than that of the Encore GX, and it has a few more inches of rear legroom. Price and test drive Buick and VW, though we’d lean more toward the Volkswagen Taos when picking a winner here.