Compare the2023 Buick Encore GXVS 2023 Cadillac XT5

The Buick Encore GX has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The XT5 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Both the Encore GX and the XT5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver 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, 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 Buick Encore GX is safer than the Cadillac XT5:

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

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 available headlight’s “Acceptable” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Encore GX the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2022, a rating granted to only 162 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The XT5 last would have qualified as a “Top Safety Pick” in 2017.

There are over 3 times as many Buick dealers as there are Cadillac dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Encore GX’s warranty.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Encore GX has a standard 760-amp battery. The XT5’s 730-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Encore GX first among small suvs in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The XT5 was rated third in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Buick vehicles are better in initial quality than Cadillac vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Buick first in initial quality, above the industry average. With 24 more problems per 100 vehicles, Cadillac is ranked 8th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Buick vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Buick second in reliability, above the industry average. With 21 more problems per 100 vehicles, Cadillac is ranked 9th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Buick vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Buick fourth in overall reliability. Cadillac is ranked 21st.

On the EPA test cycle the Encore GX gets better mileage than the XT5:

Regenerative brakes improve the Encore GX’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The XT5 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Buick Encore GX uses regular unleaded gasoline. The XT5 with the 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder engine requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Buick Encore GX higher (7 out of 10) than the Cadillac XT5 (6 to 7). This means the Encore GX produces up to 1.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the XT5 every 15,000 miles.

The Encore GX has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The XT5 doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Encore GX stops shorter than the XT5:

The Encore GX’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the XT5’s standard 65 series tires.

The Encore GX has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The XT5 doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For better maneuverability, the Encore GX’s turning circle is 1.9 feet tighter than the XT5’s (36.8 feet vs. 38.7 feet). The Encore GX’s turning circle is 2.2 feet tighter than the XT5 w/20” wheels’ (36.8 feet vs. 39 feet).

The Buick Encore GX may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 900 to 1050 pounds less than the Cadillac XT5.

The Encore GX is 1 foot, 6.2 inches shorter than the XT5, making the Encore GX easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Encore GX uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The XT5 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Encore GX Essence AWD is quieter than the XT5 AWD:

The front step up height for the Encore GX is 1 inches lower than the XT5 (17.5” vs. 18.5”). The Encore GX’s rear step up height is 2 inches lower than the XT5’s (18” vs. 20”).

The Encore GX AWD can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Encore GX can be unhitched and driven around locally. The XT5 can’t be towed flat on the ground.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Encore GX’s available exterior PIN entry system. The XT5 doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its OnStar® can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

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 Encore GX’s available headlights were rated “Acceptable” by the IIHS, while the XT5’s headlights are rated “Marginal.”

The Encore GX Essence has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The XT5 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Insurance will cost less for the Encore GX owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Encore GX will cost $235 less than the XT5 over a five-year period.

The Encore GX will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Encore GX will retain 45.57% to 45.58% of its original price after five years, while the XT5 only retains 42.02% to 43.14%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Buick Encore GX will be $18664 to $21935 less than for the Cadillac XT5.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Buick Encore GX and the Cadillac XT5, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Buick Encore outsold the Cadillac XT5 by almost three to one during the 2021 model year.