2025 Volkswagen Taos vs 2026 Buick Envista

$25,495 · Crossover

$24,600 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Choosing between the 2025 Volkswagen Taos and the 2026 Buick Envista often comes down to prioritizing pep versus price in the compact crossover segment. If you need a bit more zip for merging, the Taos pulls ahead comfortably with 174 hp compared to the Envista’s 137 hp, a significant 37 hp advantage. However, the Envista nabs a lower initial cost, starting at an MSRP of $24,600 versus the Taos's $25,495. Fuel economy is close, with the Taos netting a slightly better combined 31 MPG (28/36 city/highway) on regular unleaded, while the Envista achieves 30 combined MPG and supports E85 fuel. Physically, the Taos is slightly smaller at 175.9 inches long, but it compensates with superior utility, boasting 27.9 cubic feet of cargo space against the Envista’s 20.7 cubic feet, making the Taos a surprisingly practical contender.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Volkswagen Taos

The Taos offers slightly better highway efficiency at 36 MPG and a more responsive powertrain for stop-and-go traffic.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Volkswagen Taos

With 27.9 cu ft of cargo space, the Taos provides substantially more room for gear than the Envista's 20.7 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Volkswagen Taos

The Taos is the clear winner here, delivering 174 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque, significantly outpacing the Envista's output.

💰 Best Value

2026 Buick Envista

The Buick Envista undercuts the Taos on price with an MSRP of $24,600 versus $25,495.

Choose the Volkswagen Taos if...

You frequently drive on highways and appreciate the extra cruising power from its 174 hp engine.
Maximum utility is key, as the Taos offers 27.9 cu ft of cargo capacity.
You prefer the efficiency of the 8-speed automatic transmission for smoother gear changes.

Choose the Buick Envista if...

Keeping the initial purchase price low is a priority, with an MSRP of $24,600.
You are comfortable with a slightly smaller footprint (182.6 inches long) and less power (137 hp).
You might use E85 fuel, as the Envista supports flex-fuel operation.

Key Dimensions

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

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Volkswagen	Buick
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	—
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	—
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front 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	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	3	2
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	—	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	—	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	—	✓
Engine Immobilizer	—	✓

Engine

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

Drive Train

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

Fuel

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

Comfort & Convenience

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

In Car Entertainment

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

Power Feature

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

Frontseats

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

Rearseats

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

Tires and Wheels

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

Suspension

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

Warranty

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Volkswagen Taos and 2026 Buick Envista.

How much of a difference does the horsepower gap make between the Taos and Envista?

The difference is substantial: the 2025 Taos has 174 hp while the 2026 Envista produces 137 hp. This 37 hp advantage means the Taos will feel noticeably quicker when merging or passing, leveraging 184 lb-ft of torque versus the Envista’s 162 lb-ft.

Which crossover offers better fuel economy for my daily commute?

The Taos has a slight edge, achieving 31 MPG combined (28 city/36 highway) compared to the Envista's 30 MPG combined (28 city/32 highway). Both use regular unleaded, though the Envista also runs on E85.

Is the extra cost of the Taos justified by its interior space?

If space is critical, yes. The Taos offers 27.9 cu ft of cargo capacity, which is over 7 cubic feet more than the Envista’s 20.7 cu ft. This difference is noticeable when loading luggage or groceries.

Does the Envista's lower price make it the better value purchase?

The Envista starts at $24,600, making it cheaper upfront than the Taos at $25,495. However, if you plan to drive many miles, the Taos's better fuel economy might balance the initial savings over the long term.

Are the transmission or size differences significant for city driving?

The Taos uses an 8-speed automatic, potentially offering smoother performance than the Envista’s 6-speed unit. The Taos is also shorter in length at 175.9 inches, which might make parking easier, though both are compact crossovers.

Can the 2026 Buick Envista run on E85 fuel?

Yes, the Buick Envista is specifically listed as a flex-fuel vehicle, meaning it can utilize E85 or standard unleaded gasoline. The 2025 Volkswagen Taos only requires regular unleaded fuel.