2025 Buick Envista vs 2025 Volkswagen Taos

$23,800 · Crossover

$25,495 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Choosing between the budget-friendly 2025 Buick Envista and the slightly punchier 2025 Volkswagen Taos often comes down to prioritizing maximum space versus initial savings. Many shoppers face the dilemma of whether to stretch their budget for more capability or pocket the difference upfront. The Envista starts impressively low at $23,800, undercutting the Taos by nearly $1,700, while still offering 30 MPG combined. However, the Taos counters with notably more utility; its 27.9 cu ft of cargo space easily surpasses the Envista's 20.7 cu ft. Furthermore, the Taos provides 174 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque—a significant 37 hp advantage over the Envista’s 137 hp—making highway merging feel less strained. While both are FWD crossovers, the Taos edges out in efficiency with 36 highway MPG versus the Envista's 32 highway MPG, illustrating a trade-off between entry price and usable daily power.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Buick Envista

The Buick Envista wins for commuters due to its lower initial MSRP of $23,800 and slightly better urban fuel economy at 28 MPG city.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Volkswagen Taos

The Volkswagen Taos is superior for families because it offers substantially more cargo capacity at 27.9 cubic feet compared to the Envista's 20.7 cubic feet.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Volkswagen Taos

Enthusiasts will prefer the Taos because it boasts 174 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, significantly outpacing the Envista's output.

💰 Best Value

2025 Buick Envista

The 2025 Buick Envista provides better raw value based on purchase price, starting at $23,800 for those who do not need the extra power or space.

Choose the Buick Envista if...

You absolutely need the lowest entry price, as the 2025 Buick Envista starts at just $23,800.
You are content with 137 horsepower and primarily drive around town, matching its 28 MPG city rating.
You prefer the slightly longer 182.6-inch body length, even though its cargo volume is smaller.

Choose the Volkswagen Taos if...

You frequently haul cargo and need the best storage, benefiting from the Taos's class-leading 27.9 cu ft capacity.
You desire more dynamic driving performance, capitalizing on the Taos’s 174 hp engine.
You prioritize highway cruising efficiency, as the Taos achieves a superior 36 highway MPG.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Buick Envista	Volkswagen Taos
Length	182.6"	175.9"
Width	71.5"	72.5"
Height	61.2"	64.5"
Wheelbase	106.0"	105.9"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Buick	Volkswagen
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	—
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	✓	—
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	2	3
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	—
Engine Immobilizer	✓	—
Blind Spot Monitor	—	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Buick	Volkswagen
Base Engine Displacement	1.2 L	1.5 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 3	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	137 hp @ 5000 rpm	174 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque	162 lb-ft @ 2500 rpm	184 lb-ft @ 1750 rpm
Number of Valves	12	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Buick	Volkswagen
Transmission Type	6-speed shiftable automatic	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	front wheel drive

Fuel

Feature	Buick	Volkswagen
Fuel Type	flex-fuel (unleaded/E85)	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	28/32 MPG	28/36 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	30 MPG	31 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	369.6/422.4 mi.	369.6/475.2 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	13.2 gal.	13.2 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Buick	Volkswagen
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	✓	—
Cruise Control	✓	—
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Single Zone Climate Control	✓	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	—
Sun Sensor	✓	—
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	—
Adaptive Cruise Control	—	✓
Leatherette Steering Wheel	—	✓
Heated Steering Wheel	—	✓
Interior Air Filtration	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Buick	Volkswagen
Infotainment Display	11.0 in	8.0 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	6	4
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
Auxiliary Audio Input	✓	—
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	—
Satellite Radio Trial Period	3 months	—
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	✓	—

Power Feature

Feature	Buick	Volkswagen
One-Touch Power Windows	4	—
Remote Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Buick	Volkswagen
Front Head Room	39.4 in.	40.7 in.
Front Leg Room	41.9 in.	40.1 in.
Front Shoulder Room	56.0 in.	56.5 in.
Front Hip Room	52.3 in.	53.9 in.
Seat Material: Leatherette/Cloth	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	6-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	4-way	6-way
Seat Material: Cloth	—	✓
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	—	✓

Rearseats

Feature	Buick	Volkswagen
Rear Head Room	37.3 in.	39.8 in.
Rear Leg Room	38.7 in.	37.9 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	54.5 in.	55.2 in.
Rear Hip Room	45.8 in.	45.4 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Folding Rear Seat Feature	—	✓
Pass-Thru Center Armrest	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Buick	Volkswagen
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Size	17 x 7.5 in	17 x 7.0 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	225/60R17	215/55R H
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Inside Mounted

Suspension

Feature	Buick	Volkswagen
Front Suspension Type	Independent	Independent
Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓

Warranty

Feature	Buick	Volkswagen
Basic Warranty	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	6 yr./ 100000 mi.	7 yr./ 100000 mi.
Roadside Assistance	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	1 yr./ unlimited mi.	2 yr./ 20000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Buick Envista and 2025 Volkswagen Taos.

How much more powerful is the Volkswagen Taos compared to the Buick Envista?

The 2025 Volkswagen Taos has a clear advantage in output, delivering 174 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. This is exactly 37 horsepower more than the 2025 Buick Envista, which produces 137 hp.

Which vehicle offers better cargo space for errands and trips?

The Volkswagen Taos is the clear winner for cargo volume, providing 27.9 cubic feet. The Buick Envista offers only 20.7 cubic feet, meaning the Taos has nearly 7 extra cubic feet of storage area.

Can I use E85 fuel in either of these crossovers?

Only the 2025 Buick Envista is listed as a flex-fuel vehicle capable of running on E85 or unleaded gas. The 2025 Volkswagen Taos specifies regular unleaded fuel only.

Is there a significant difference in fuel economy between the two?

The difference is marginal overall, with the Taos achieving 31 MPG combined versus the Envista’s 30 MPG combined. However, the Taos pulls ahead on the highway by achieving 36 MPG compared to the Envista’s 32 MPG.

How does the lower price of the Envista compare to the Taos’s added transmission efficiency?

The Envista saves you money upfront with a $23,800 MSRP, while the Taos starts at $25,495 but uses a more advanced 8-speed automatic transmission versus the Envista's 6-speed unit.