Compare the2023 Mazda CX-5VS 2023 Buick Encore GX

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

Safety

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The CX-5 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-5 Turbo Signature has standard Smart Brake Support-Rear that use rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a 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-5. But it costs extra on the Encore GX.

The CX-5 has a standard blind spot warning system that 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 CX-5 has standard Rear Cross Traffic Alert, helping the driver avoid collisions. Buick charges extra for Rear Cross Traffic Alert on the Encore GX.

The CX-5 Turbo Signature’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-5 and the Encore GX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact 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 and available around view monitors.

The Mazda CX-5 weighs 455 to 842 pounds more than the Buick Encore GX. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Mazda CX-5 is safer than the Buick Encore GX:

	CX-5	Encore GX
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	82	185
Neck Injury Risk	23%	24%
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	156	401
Leg Forces (l/r)	449/262 lbs.	409/383 lbs.

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

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Mazda CX-5 is safer than the Buick Encore GX:

	CX-5	Encore GX
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	81	91
Chest Movement	.5 inches	1.1 inches
Abdominal Force	126 lbs.	199 lbs.
Hip Force	189 lbs.	459 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	13 inches	13 inches
Spine Acceleration	32 G’s	38 G’s
Hip Force	435 lbs.	591 lbs.

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

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, and daytime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the CX-5 the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2023, a rating granted to only 53 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Encore GX last would have qualified as a “Top Safety Pick” in 2022.

Warranty

The CX-5’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-5’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.

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 CX-5’s reliability 16 points higher than the Encore GX.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Buick vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mazda fourth in overall reliability. Buick is ranked 11th.

Engine

The CX-5’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 50 more horsepower (187 vs. 137) and 24 lbs.-ft. more torque (186 vs. 162) than the Encore GX’s standard 1.2 turbo 3-cylinder. The CX-5’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 32 more horsepower (187 vs. 155) and 12 lbs.-ft. more torque (186 vs. 174) than the Encore GX’s optional 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder. The CX-5’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 101 more horsepower (256 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-5 is faster than the Buick Encore GX 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder:

	CX-5 4 cyl.	CX-5 turbo 4 cyl.	Encore GX
Zero to 60 MPH	7.9 sec	6.1 sec	9.3 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	23.6 sec	16.9 sec	31.2 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	8.4 sec	6.6 sec	10.1 sec
Quarter Mile	16.2 sec	14.7 sec	17 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	85 MPH	94 MPH	80 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the CX-5 (except Turbo)’s fuel efficiency. The Encore GX doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The CX-5 has 2.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Encore GX (15.3 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the CX-5 Turbo’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Encore GX:

	CX-5 Turbo	Encore GX
Front Rotors	12.6 inches	11.81 inches
Rear Rotors	11.9 inches	10.39 inches

The CX-5 stops shorter than the Encore GX:

	CX-5	Encore GX
70 to 0 MPH	167 feet	174 feet	Car and Driver

Tires and Wheels

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the CX-5 Carbon Edition/Premium/Turbo has standard 19-inch wheels. The Encore GX’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Mazda CX-5 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 CX-5 has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the CX-5 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 CX-5’s wheelbase is 4 inches longer than on the Encore GX (106.2 inches vs. 102.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the CX-5 is 1.7 inches wider in the front and .9 inches wider in the rear than on the Encore GX.

For better maneuverability, the CX-5’s turning circle is .8 feet tighter than the Encore GX’s (36 feet vs. 36.8 feet).

Chassis

As tested by Car and Driver while cruising at 70 MPH, the interior of the CX-5 is quieter than the Encore GX Essence AWD (66 vs. 67 dB).

Passenger Space

The CX-5 has 9.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Encore GX (103.6 vs. 94.3).

The CX-5 has .1 inches more front legroom, 3.3 inches more front hip room, 1.7 inches more front shoulder room, .9 inches more rear headroom, 3.6 inches more rear legroom, 7.8 inches more rear hip room and 1.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the Encore GX.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the CX-5’s rear seats recline. The Encore GX’s rear seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The CX-5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Encore GX with its rear seat up (30.8 vs. 23.5 cubic feet). The CX-5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Encore GX with its rear seat folded (59.3 vs. 50.2 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the CX-5 easier. The CX-5’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 29.4 inches, while the Encore GX’s liftover is 30.5 inches.

The CX-5’s cargo area is larger than the Encore GX’s in every dimension:

	CX-5	Encore GX
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	38”	31.8”/60.8”
Max Width	57”	53”
Min Width	41.3”	40.7”
Height	32.4”	32”

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the CX-5’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Encore GX doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

Towing

The CX-5’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Encore GX’s (2000 vs. 1000 pounds).

Ergonomics

The CX-5’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-5 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-5’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 CX-5’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Encore GX’s standard halogen headlights. LED lights also light instantly and last over twenty times longer than halogen.

Consumer Reports rated the CX-5’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 CX-5’s headlights were rated “Good” to “Acceptable” by the IIHS, while the Encore GX’s headlights are rated “Acceptable” to “Marginal.”

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the CX-5 Premium/Turbo 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.

Both the CX-5 and the Encore GX offer available heated front seats. The CX-5 Premium Plus/Turbo also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Encore GX.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the CX-5 Premium Plus/Turbo 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.

Both the CX-5 and the Encore GX offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the CX-5 Select/Preferred/Carbon Edition/Premium/Turbo 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-5 will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the CX-5 will retain 50.99% to 51.37% of its original price after five years, while the Encore GX only retains 45.57% to 45.58%.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Mazda CX-5 and the Buick Encore GX, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Mazda CX-5 outsold the Buick Encore by over three to one during 2022.