Buick Encore GX vs Volkswagen Taos
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2026 Volkswagen Taos
Overview
| Spec | Buick Encore GXPreferred | Volkswagen TaosS |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | Preferred | S |
| Body style | SUV | SUV |
| Drivetrain | front wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Fuel type | flex-fuel (unleaded/E85) | regular unleaded |
| Transmission | continuously variable-speed automatic | 8-speed shiftable automatic |
| Engine type | gas | gas |
| Model year | 2026 | 2026 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | Buick Encore GXPreferred | Volkswagen TaosS |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $25,900 (best) | $26,500 |
| Lowest listing price | $15,200 (best) | $16,427 |
| Median listing price | $27,082 (best) | $30,487 |
| Highest listing price | $36,280 (best) | $38,536 |
| For sale now | 108 (best) | 98 |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Buick Encore GXPreferred | Volkswagen TaosS |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 30 MPG | 31 MPG (best) |
| City MPG | 30 MPG (best) | 28 MPG |
| Highway MPG | 31 MPG | 36 MPG (best) |
| Fuel tank | 13.2 gal | 13.2 gal |
Performance
| Spec | Buick Encore GXPreferred | Volkswagen TaosS |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 137 hp | 174 hp (best) |
| Torque | 162 lb-ft | 184 lb-ft (best) |
| Engine size | 1.2 L | 1.5 L (best) |
| Cylinders | I3 | I4 |
Size & capability
| Spec | Buick Encore GXPreferred | Volkswagen TaosS |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Cargo volume | 50.2 cu ft | 65.9 cu ft (best) |
| Towing capacity | 1,000 lbs (best) | — |
| Payload | — | 937 lbs (best) |
| Curb weight | 3,023 lbs (best) | 3,201 lbs |
| Ground clearance | — | 6.5 in (best) |
| Wheelbase | 102 in | 105.9 in (best) |
| Length | 171.2 in | 175.9 in (best) |
| Width | 71.4 in | 72.5 in (best) |
| Height | 64.1 in | 64.5 in (best) |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Buick Encore GXPreferred | Volkswagen TaosS |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA overall | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | 4 / 5 ★ |
| Frontal crash (driver) | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | 4 / 5 ★ |
| Frontal crash (passenger) | 4 / 5 ★ | 4 / 5 ★ |
| Side crash (driver) | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Side crash (passenger) | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Side pole | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Rollover | 4 / 5 ★ | 4 / 5 ★ |
| Open recalls (YMM scope) | None reported (best) | 1 |
Highlighted values indicate the better figure for that spec when a clear winner exists. Specs reflect the selected trim for each vehicle. Drag a vehicle header to reorder columns. MSRP and specifications are manufacturer data; listing prices and inventory come from live dealer listings. Safety ratings are from NHTSA.
Trim overview
All available trims with MSRP. The trim selected above is highlighted; comparison specs use that selection.
| Trim | Buick Encore GX | Volkswagen Taos |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Preferred $25,900 MSRP(Currently comparing) | S $26,500 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | Preferred $27,900 MSRP | S $28,200 MSRP |
| 3 | Sport Touring $27,100 MSRP | SE $29,260 MSRP |
| 4 | Sport Touring $28,700 MSRP | SE $30,960 MSRP |
| 5 | Avenir $31,400 MSRP | SE Black $31,510 MSRP |
| 6 | Avenir $33,000 MSRP | SE Black $33,210 MSRP |
| 7 | — | SEL $35,900 MSRP |
Live inventory
Buick Encore GX108 for sale
See all- New
2026 Buick Encore GX
Sport Touring
Ceramic White•Ebony Seats With Whisper Beige Stitching10 mi$33,210Steve Schmitt Buick GMC Highland
Highland, IL
- New
2026 Buick Encore GX
Preferred
Summit White10 mi$26,730Steve Schmitt Buick GMC Highland
Highland, IL
New2026 Buick Encore GX
Sport Touring
Ebony Twilight Metallic4 mi$31,098Ricart Buick GMC
Columbus, OH
New2026 Buick Encore GX
Sport Touring
Ebony Twilight Metallic4 mi$31,098Ricart Buick GMC
Columbus, OH
New2026 Buick Encore GX
Preferred
Ebony Twilight Metallic4 mi$28,693Ricart Buick GMC
Columbus, OH
New2026 Buick Encore GX
Sport Touring
Moonstone Gray Metallic4 mi$29,098Ricart Buick GMC
Columbus, OH
Volkswagen Taos98 for sale
See all
Used2022 Volkswagen Taos
SEL
Cornflower Blue•Gray46,905 mi$23,275Middleton Ford
Middleton, WI
New2026 Volkswagen Taos
1.5T SE
Deep Black Pearl•Black Cloudtex Leatherett10 mi$30,265Lou Sobh Volkswagen of Athens
Bogart, GA
New2026 Volkswagen Taos
1.5T SE
Deep Black Pearl•Black Cloudtex Leatherett15 mi$30,169Lou Sobh Volkswagen of Athens
Bogart, GA
New2026 Volkswagen Taos
1.5T SE
Pure White•Gray15 mi$31,541Lou Sobh Volkswagen of Athens
Bogart, GA
New2026 Volkswagen Taos
1.5T SE
Monument Gray•Black Cloudtex Leatherett15 mi$31,638Lou Sobh Volkswagen of Athens
Bogart, GA
New2026 Volkswagen Taos
1.5T SE Black
Pure White w/Deep Black Roof•Black Cloudtex Leatherett15 mi$32,348Lou Sobh Volkswagen of Athens
Bogart, GA
Buick Encore GX vs Volkswagen Taos FAQ
- Which is better: 2026 Buick Encore GX or 2026 Volkswagen Taos?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2026 Buick Encore GX vs 2026 Volkswagen Taos on MSRP, fuel economy, horsepower, seating, towing, NHTSA safety ratings, and live market prices so you can weigh the tradeoffs.
- Which costs less: 2026 Buick Encore GX or 2026 Volkswagen Taos?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2026 Buick Encore GX starts lower at $25,900. Live Buick Encore GX listings start at $15,200. Live Volkswagen Taos listings start at $16,427.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2026 Buick Encore GX or 2026 Volkswagen Taos?
- The 2026 Buick Encore GX leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (25,900).
- Which has better combinedMpg: 2026 Buick Encore GX or 2026 Volkswagen Taos?
- The 2026 Volkswagen Taos leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (31).
- Which has better horsepower: 2026 Buick Encore GX or 2026 Volkswagen Taos?
- The 2026 Volkswagen Taos leads on horsepower in this comparison (174).
- Which has better maxTowingLbs: 2026 Buick Encore GX or 2026 Volkswagen Taos?
- The 2026 Buick Encore GX leads on maxTowingLbs in this comparison (1,000).
- How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2026 Buick Encore GX vs 2026 Volkswagen Taos?
- NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Buick Encore GX (5/5 NHTSA overall); Volkswagen Taos (4/5 NHTSA overall).