Compare the2022 Mazda CX-30VS 2022 Buick Encore GX

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Brakes and Stopping
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The CX-30 has standard Whiplash-Reducing Headrests, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash-Reducing Headrests system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Encore GX doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The CX-30 Turbo Premium Plus has standard Rear Smart Brake Support that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Encore GX doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the CX-30. But it costs extra on the Encore GX.

The CX-30’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Encore GX doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the CX-30 and the Encore GX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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 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 Mazda CX-30 is safer than the Buick Encore GX:

	CX-30	Encore GX
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	148	185
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	179	401
Leg Forces (l/r)	380/386 lbs.	409/383 lbs.

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

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the CX-30 is 2.4% to 3.8% less likely to roll over than the Encore GX.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the CX-30 its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 77 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Encore GX is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2022.

Warranty

The CX-30’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Encore GX’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

Reliability

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the CX-30’s 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.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Buick vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mazda first in reliability. Buick is ranked fourth.

Engine

The CX-30’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 49 more horsepower (186 vs. 137) and 24 lbs.-ft. more torque (186 vs. 162) than the Encore GX’s standard 1.2 turbo 3-cylinder. The CX-30’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 31 more horsepower (186 vs. 155) and 12 lbs.-ft. more torque (186 vs. 174) than the Encore GX’s optional 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder. The CX-30’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 95 more horsepower (250 vs. 155) and 146 lbs.-ft. more torque (320 vs. 174) than the Encore GX’s optional 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Mazda CX-30 4 cyl. is faster than the Buick Encore GX 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder:

	CX-30	Encore GX
Zero to 60 MPH	7.5 sec	9.3 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	20.7 sec	31.2 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	7.9 sec	10.1 sec
Quarter Mile	15.8 sec	17 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	89 MPH	80 MPH

Brakes and Stopping

The CX-30 stops shorter than the Encore GX:

	CX-30	Encore GX
60 to 0 MPH	119 feet	122 feet	Motor Trend

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the CX-30’s wheelbase is 2.2 inches longer than on the Encore GX (104.4 inches vs. 102.2 inches).

The CX-30 Premium handles at .83 G’s, while the Encore GX AWD pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The CX-30 Premium executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Encore GX AWD (27.4 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 27.8 seconds @ .6 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the CX-30’s turning circle is 2 feet tighter than the Encore GX’s (34.8 feet vs. 36.8 feet).

For greater off-road capability the CX-30 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Encore GX (8 vs. 7.5 inches), allowing the CX-30 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Passenger Space

The CX-30 has .8 inches more front legroom, 2.7 inches more front hip room, .2 inches more front shoulder room, .2 inches more rear headroom, .3 inches more rear legroom and 5.7 inches more rear hip room than the Encore GX.

Ergonomics

The CX-30’s front and rear power windows all open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Encore GX’s passenger windows don’t close automatically.

The CX-30 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.

The CX-30’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Encore GX’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The CX-30’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Encore GX’s headlights are rated “Acceptable” to “Marginal.”

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the CX-30 Premium has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Encore GX doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The CX-30’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Encore GX offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Both the CX-30 and the Encore GX offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the CX-30 Select/Preferred/Carbon/Turbo/Premium has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Encore GX doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

Economic Advantages

The CX-30 will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the CX-30 will retain 49.65% to 50.57% of its original price after five years, while the Encore GX only retains 44.51% to 45.1%.

Recommendations

Both are recommended, but Consumer Reports® chose the Mazda CX-30 as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance.