Compare the2023 Chevrolet TrailblazerVS 2023 Buick Encore GX

Both the Trailblazer and the Encore GX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear 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, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

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 Trailblazer its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 81 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Encore GX is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2022.

There are over 47 percent more Chevrolet dealers than there are Buick dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Trailblazer’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Trailblazer’s reliability 32 points higher than the Encore GX.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are better in initial quality than Buick vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet above average in initial quality. With 5 more problems per 100 vehicles, Buick is rated lower.

The Trailblazer’s optional 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder produces 18 more horsepower (155 vs. 137) and 12 lbs.-ft. more torque (174 vs. 162) than the Encore GX’s standard 1.2 turbo 3-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the Trailblazer gets better mileage than the Encore GX:

The Trailblazer stops shorter than the Encore GX:

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Trailblazer’s wheelbase is 1.7 inches longer than on the Encore GX (103.9 inches vs. 102.2 inches).

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

The Trailblazer has .3 inches more front headroom, .4 inches more front hip room, .3 inches more rear headroom, 3.4 inches more rear legroom and .2 inches more rear shoulder room than the Encore GX.

The Trailblazer has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Encore GX with its rear seat up (25.3 vs. 23.5 cubic feet). The Trailblazer has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Encore GX with its rear seat folded (54.4 vs. 50.2 cubic feet).

The Trailblazer’s cargo area is larger than the Encore GX’s in almost every dimension:

The Trailblazer 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.

Consumer Reports rated the Trailblazer’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the Encore GX’s headlights, which were rated “Good.”

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 Trailblazer’s headlights were rated “Good” to “Acceptable” by the IIHS, while the Encore GX’s headlights are rated “Acceptable” to “Marginal.”

Insurance will cost less for the Trailblazer owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Trailblazer will cost $405 less than the Encore GX over a five-year period.

The Trailblazer will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Trailblazer will retain 46.09% to 46.97% of its original price after five years, while the Encore GX only retains 44.51% to 45.1%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Chevrolet Trailblazer will be $4083 to $4428 less than for the Buick Encore GX.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Chevrolet Trailblazer and the Buick Encore GX, based on reliability, safety and performance.