Compare the2023 Cadillac XT4VS 2023 Buick Encore GX

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages

Safety

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Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The XT4 Premium/Sport offers optional Reverse Automatic Braking 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.

The XT4 has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the Encore GX’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the XT4 has a standard rear cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Rear cross-path warning costs extra on the Encore GX.

Both the XT4 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, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, lane departure warning systems and around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Cadillac XT4 is safer than the Buick Encore GX:

	XT4	Encore GX
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	350	401
Neck Stress	131 lbs.	153 lbs.
Neck Compression	77 lbs.	82 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	73/175 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 XT4 is 1.2% to 3.1% less likely to roll over than the Encore GX.

Warranty

The XT4 comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck. The Encore GX’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

Cadillac’s powertrain warranty covers the XT4 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Buick covers the Encore GX. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Encore GX ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The XT4’s 6 year corrosion warranty has no mileage limitations, but the corrosion warranty on the Encore GX runs out after 100,000 miles.

Reliability

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the XT4’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.

Engine

The XT4’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 98 more horsepower (235 vs. 137) and 96 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 162) than the Encore GX’s standard 1.2 turbo 3-cylinder. The XT4’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 80 more horsepower (235 vs. 155) and 84 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 174) than the Encore GX’s optional 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Cadillac XT4 is faster than the Buick Encore GX 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder:

	XT4	Encore GX
Zero to 60 MPH	7.4 sec	9.3 sec
Quarter Mile	15.7 sec	17 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	89.8 MPH	80 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the XT4’s fuel efficiency. The Encore GX doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The XT4 FWD’s standard fuel tank has 2.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Encore GX (15.9 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The XT4 AWD’s standard fuel tank has 3.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Encore GX (16.3 vs. 13.2 gallons).

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the XT4’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Encore GX:

	XT4	Encore GX
Front Rotors	12.6 inches	11.81 inches
Rear Rotors	12.4 inches	10.39 inches

The XT4’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Encore GX are solid, not vented.

The XT4 stops shorter than the Encore GX:

	XT4	Encore GX
70 to 0 MPH	172 feet	174 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	118 feet	122 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the XT4 has larger standard tires than the Encore GX (235/60R18 vs. 225/55R18). The XT4’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Encore GX (245/45R20 vs. 225/55R18).

The XT4’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Encore GX’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the XT4 offers optional 20-inch wheels. The Encore GX’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Cadillac XT4 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 XT4 has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the XT4 flat and controlled during cornering. The Encore GX’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The XT4 offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Encore GX’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the XT4’s wheelbase is 7.2 inches longer than on the Encore GX (109.4 inches vs. 102.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the XT4 is 2.1 inches wider in the front and 1.2 inches wider in the rear than on the Encore GX.

The XT4 Sport AWD handles at .89 G’s, while the Encore GX Essence AWD pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The XT4 Sport AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.5 seconds quicker than the Encore GX AWD (26.3 seconds @ .66 average G’s vs. 27.8 seconds @ .6 average G’s).

Passenger Space

The XT4 has 7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Encore GX (101.3 vs. 94.3).

The XT4 has 3.2 inches more front legroom, 2.6 inches more front hip room, 1.6 inches more front shoulder room, .2 inches more rear headroom, 3.5 inches more rear legroom, 2.3 inches more rear hip room and 1.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the Encore GX.

Cargo Capacity

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the XT4. The Encore GX doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Towing

The XT4’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Encore GX’s (2500 vs. 1000 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Buick Encore GX is only 1000 pounds. The XT4 offers up to a 3500 lbs. towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the XT4 uses the StabiliTrak® sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Encore GX doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Servicing Ease

The XT4 uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Encore GX uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Cadillac service is better than Buick. J.D. Power ranks Cadillac second in service department satisfaction. With an 8% lower rating, Buick is ranked fifth.

Ergonomics

The XT4’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Encore GX does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The XT4’s front power windows 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 front passenger window doesn’t close automatically.

On a hot day the XT4’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Encore GX can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The XT4 Luxury’s standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The Encore GX’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the XT4 (except Luxury) offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Encore GX doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The XT4 Premium Luxury/Sport’s standard 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 XT4 and the Encore GX offer optional heated front seats. The XT4 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.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the XT4 Premium Luxury/Sport keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Encore GX doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The XT4 Premium Luxury/Sport offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Encore GX.

The XT4 has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the Encore GX Select/Essence.

Both the XT4 and the Encore GX offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the XT4 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 XT4 will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the XT4 will retain 45.25% to 45.56% of its original price after five years, while the Encore GX only retains 44.51% to 45.1%.

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