Compare the2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse CrossVS 2022 Buick Encore GX

Both the Eclipse Cross and the Encore GX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is safer than the Buick Encore GX:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The Eclipse Cross comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Encore GX’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Mitsubishi’s powertrain warranty covers the Eclipse Cross 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Buick covers the Encore GX. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Encore GX ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The Eclipse Cross’ corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Encore GX’s (7/100,000 vs. 6/100,000).

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the Eclipse Cross’ engine. A rubber cam drive belt that needs periodic replacement drives the Encore GX’s camshafts. If the Encore GX’s belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Mitsubishi vehicles are better in initial quality than Buick vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mitsubishi third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 12 more problems per 100 vehicles, Buick is ranked 12th.

The Eclipse Cross’ 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 15 more horsepower (152 vs. 137) and 22 lbs.-ft. more torque (184 vs. 162) than the Encore GX’s standard 1.2 turbo 3-cylinder. The Eclipse Cross’ 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 10 lbs.-ft. more torque (184 vs. 174) than the Encore GX’s optional 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is faster than the Buick Encore GX 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder:

The Eclipse Cross AWD’s standard fuel tank has 2.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Encore GX (15.8 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Eclipse Cross FWD’s standard fuel tank has 3.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Encore GX (16.6 vs. 13.2 gallons).

The Eclipse Cross stops shorter than the Encore GX:

For superior ride and handling, the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Buick Encore GX has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The Eclipse Cross has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Eclipse Cross flat and controlled during cornering. The Encore GX’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Eclipse Cross’ wheelbase is 2.9 inches longer than on the Encore GX (105.1 inches vs. 102.2 inches).

For better maneuverability, the Eclipse Cross AWD’s turning circle is 2 feet tighter than the Encore GX’s (34.8 feet vs. 36.8 feet). The Eclipse Cross’ turning circle is 1.8 feet tighter than the Encore GX’s (35 feet vs. 36.8 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Eclipse Cross has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Encore GX (8.5 vs. 7.5 inches), allowing the Eclipse Cross to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Eclipse Cross has 2.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Encore GX (96.7 vs. 94.3).

The Eclipse Cross has 1.1 inches more front hip room, .8 inches more front shoulder room, 4.5 inches more rear hip room and 1.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the Encore GX.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Eclipse Cross’ rear seats recline. The Encore GX’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Eclipse Cross’ standard towing capacity is much higher than the Encore GX’s (1500 vs. 1000 pounds).

The Eclipse Cross SEL’s front and rear power windows all open or close with one touch of the switches. The Encore GX’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully.

The Eclipse Cross has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The Encore GX doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

Both the Eclipse Cross and the Encore GX offer available heated front seats. The Eclipse Cross SEL also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Encore GX.