Compare the2023 BMW X4VS 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
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The X4’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Encore GX doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The X4 has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Encore GX doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The X4 has a standard PostCrash iBrake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Encore GX doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The X4 offers optional Active Park Distance Control 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 X4. But it costs extra on the Encore GX.

The X4 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 and moves the vehicle back into its lane. 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 X4 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.

The X4’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 X4 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, 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 and available around view monitors.

The BMW X4 weighs 905 to 1378 pounds more than the Buick Encore GX. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

Warranty

The X4 comes with a full 4-year/50,000-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 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The X4’s corrosion warranty is 6 years and unlimited miles longer than the Encore GX’s (12/unlimited vs. 6/100,000).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X4 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Buick doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Encore GX.

Reliability

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the X4’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 X4 xDrive30i’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 111 more horsepower (248 vs. 137) and 96 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 162) than the Encore GX’s standard 1.2 turbo 3-cylinder. The X4 xDrive30i’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 93 more horsepower (248 vs. 155) and 84 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 174) than the Encore GX’s optional 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder. The X4 M40i’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 227 more horsepower (382 vs. 155) and 195 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 174) than the Encore GX’s optional 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder.

Fuel Economy and Range

The X4 has 4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Encore GX (17.2 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the X4’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Encore GX:

	X4 xDrive30i	X4 M40i	Encore GX
Front Rotors	13 inches	13.7 inches	11.81 inches
Rear Rotors	13 inches	13.6 inches	10.39 inches

The X4’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 X4 stops much shorter than the Encore GX:

	X4	Encore GX
60 to 0 MPH	109 feet	122 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the X4 has larger standard tires than the Encore GX (245/50R19 vs. 225/55R18). The X4’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Encore GX (F:245/45R20 & R:275/40R20 vs. 225/55R18).

The X4’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Encore GX’s standard 55 series tires. The X4’s optional 245/40R21 front and 275/35R21 rear tires have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile than the Encore GX’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X4 has standard 19-inch wheels. Only 18-inch wheels are available on the Encore GX. The X4 offers optional 21-inch wheels.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the X4 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Encore GX doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the BMW X4 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 X4 has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the X4 flat and controlled during cornering. The Encore GX’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The X4 offers an optional 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 X4’s wheelbase is 10.6 inches longer than on the Encore GX (112.8 inches vs. 102.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the X4 is 2.4 inches wider in the front and 3.3 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Encore GX.

The X4 M40i handles at .89 G’s, while the Encore GX AWD pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The X4 M40i executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.2 seconds quicker than the Encore GX AWD (25.6 seconds @ .73 average G’s vs. 27.8 seconds @ .6 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the X4 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Encore GX (8 vs. 7.5 inches), allowing the X4 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Passenger Space

The X4 has 3.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Encore GX (97.8 vs. 94.3).

The X4 has .6 inches more front headroom, 2.1 inches more front shoulder room and 2.4 inches more rear shoulder room than the Encore GX.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the X4’s rear seats recline. The Encore GX’s rear seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The X4 has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Encore GX with its rear seat folded (50.5 vs. 50.2 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the X4’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Encore GX doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the X4. The Encore GX doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Servicing Ease

The X4 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.

The engine in the X4 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Encore GX. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

Ergonomics

The X4’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.

If the windows are left open on the X4 the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote or with the driver’s door power window switch. The driver of the Encore GX can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The X4 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 X4’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.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the X4 has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Encore GX doesn’t offer cornering lights. The X4 also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The X4’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 X4 and the Encore GX offer optional heated front seats. The X4 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 X4 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 X4 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 X4 and the Encore GX offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the X4 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 X4 will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the X4 will retain 49.07% to 49.17% of its original price after five years, while the Encore GX only retains 45.57% to 45.58%.

Recommendations

J.D. Power and Associates rated the X4 second among compact premium SUVs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Encore GX isn’t in the top three in its category.