2026 Buick Envista vs 2026 Volkswagen Taos
Comparison Overview
The most significant numerical divergence between the 2026 Buick Envista and the 2026 Volkswagen Taos lies in performance, with the Taos delivering 174 horsepower compared to the Envista's 137 hp—a substantial 37 hp advantage. This power deficit in the Envista ($24,600 MSRP) is offset by its lower entry price compared to the Taos ($26,500 MSRP). Fuel efficiency is remarkably similar, with the Taos slightly leading at 31 MPG combined versus the Envista's 30 MPG combined, although the Taos achieves superior highway cruising at 36 MPG compared to the Envista's 32 MPG. Cargo capacity strongly favors the Taos, offering 27.9 cu ft against the Envista's 20.7 cu ft, yet the Envista compensates with a longer overall length of 182.6 inches versus the Taos's 175.9 inches. The Taos also utilizes a more advanced 8-speed automatic transmission, while the Envista employs a 6-speed unit.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2026 Volkswagen Taos
The VW Taos offers marginally better combined fuel economy at 31 MPG and superior highway efficiency at 36 MPG.
2026 Volkswagen Taos
The Taos provides 27.9 cu ft of cargo capacity, significantly exceeding the Envista's 20.7 cu ft, which benefits family hauling needs.
2026 Volkswagen Taos
With 174 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, the Taos substantially outperforms the Envista's 137 hp and 162 lb-ft rating.
2026 Buick Envista
The Buick Envista secures the value verdict by offering a lower MSRP of $24,600, which is $1,900 less than the Taos.
Choose the Buick Envista if...
- Budget is the primary concern, as the Envista has an MSRP of $24,600 versus the Taos's $26,500.
- You prioritize length for exterior footprint, as the Envista measures 182.6 inches long compared to the Taos's 175.9 inches.
- You wish to utilize E85 fuel, as the Envista is designated as a flex-fuel vehicle while the Taos requires regular unleaded.
Choose the Volkswagen Taos if...
- Maximum utility is required, evidenced by the Taos's superior 27.9 cu ft of cargo space.
- You demand superior powertrain metrics, as the Taos offers 174 hp and an 8-speed transmission.
- Maximum highway efficiency is desired, with the Taos achieving 36 MPG on the highway versus 32 MPG for the Envista.
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 2026 Buick Envista and 2026 Volkswagen Taos.
What is the main performance difference between the 2026 Buick Envista and the 2026 Volkswagen Taos?
The 2026 Volkswagen Taos has a significant power advantage, producing 174 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, which is 37 more horsepower than the Envista's 137 hp. The Taos also employs a more robust 8-speed automatic transmission compared to the Envista's 6-speed unit.
Which crossover offers better fuel economy for daily commuting?
The 2026 Volkswagen Taos technically offers better overall efficiency with a combined rating of 31 MPG versus the Envista's 30 MPG. Furthermore, the Taos pulls ahead dramatically on the highway, achieving 36 MPG compared to the Envista's 32 MPG.
How do the cargo capacities compare between these two front-wheel-drive crossovers?
The 2026 Volkswagen Taos provides substantially more utility, measuring 27.9 cubic feet of cargo capacity. The 2026 Buick Envista offers less room for storage at 20.7 cubic feet.
Is the higher price of the Taos justified by its features over the Envista?
The Taos costs $26,500 compared to the Envista's $24,600 MSRP. The extra $1,900 buys 37 more horsepower, 7.2 cubic feet more cargo space, and superior highway fuel economy ratings.
Does the drivetrain differ between these two vehicles?
No, both the 2026 Buick Envista and the 2026 Volkswagen Taos are equipped exclusively with front-wheel drive (FWD) configurations in these specifications. Both also use a shiftable automatic transmission.
Can the Buick Envista use E85 fuel, unlike the VW Taos?
Yes, the Buick Envista is specified as a flex-fuel vehicle, meaning it can operate on unleaded gasoline or E85 fuel blends. The Volkswagen Taos explicitly requires regular unleaded fuel.
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