Compare the2023 Ford Bronco SportVS 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
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Ford Bronco Sport have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Buick Encore GX doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

The Bronco Sport has standard Post Collision Braking, which automatically apply 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.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Bronco Sport. But it costs extra on the Encore GX.

The Bronco Sport 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 Bronco Sport 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 Bronco Sport’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 Bronco Sport and the Encore GX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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 rear parking sensors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Ford Bronco Sport is safer than the Buick Envision:

	Bronco Sport	Encore GX
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	140	185
Neck Stress	178 lbs.	190 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	123/237 lbs.	83/261 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	153	153
Neck Compression	54 lbs.	82 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	385/291 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 Ford Bronco Sport is safer than the Buick Encore GX:

	Bronco Sport	Encore GX
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	80	91
Chest Movement	.9 inches	1.1 inches
Abdominal Force	198 lbs.	199 lbs.
Hip Force	205 lbs.	459 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	144	185
Spine Acceleration	33 G’s	41 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	13 inches	13 inches
HIC	255	337
Spine Acceleration	35 G’s	38 G’s
Hip Force	512 lbs.	591 lbs.

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 standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Bronco Sport its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 112 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Encore GX is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2022.

Warranty

The Bronco Sport’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Encore GX’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

There are over 52 percent more Ford dealers than there are Buick dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Bronco Sport’s warranty.

Reliability

The Bronco Sport has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The Encore GX doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the truck’s engine.

Engine

The Bronco Sport’s standard 1.5 turbo 3-cylinder produces 44 more horsepower (181 vs. 137) and 28 lbs.-ft. more torque (190 vs. 162) than the Encore GX’s standard 1.2 turbo 3-cylinder. The Bronco Sport’s 1.5 turbo 3-cylinder produces 26 more horsepower (181 vs. 155) and 16 lbs.-ft. more torque (190 vs. 174) than the Encore GX’s optional 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder. The Bronco Sport Badlands’ standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 95 more horsepower (250 vs. 155) and 103 lbs.-ft. more torque (277 vs. 174) than the Encore GX’s optional 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Ford Bronco Sport is faster than the Buick Encore GX 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder:

	Bronco Sport turbo 3 cyl.	Bronco Sport Badlands	Encore GX
Zero to 60 MPH	8.2 sec	5.9 sec	9.3 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	26.8 sec	17.3 sec	31.2 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	8.7 sec	6.5 sec	10.1 sec
Quarter Mile	16.3 sec	14.5 sec	17 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	84 MPH	93 MPH	80 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

The Bronco Sport has 2.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the Encore GX (16 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Bronco Sport	Encore GX
Front Rotors	12.1 inches	11.81 inches
Rear Rotors	11.9 inches	10.39 inches

The Bronco Sport stops much shorter than the Encore GX:

	Bronco Sport	Encore GX
70 to 0 MPH	163 feet	174 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	135 feet	138 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Bronco Sport’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Encore GX (235/65R17 vs. 225/55R18).

The Bronco Sport offers an optional full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the Encore GX; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Ford Bronco Sport 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 Bronco Sport has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Bronco Sport 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 Bronco Sport’s wheelbase is 2.9 inches longer than on the Encore GX (105.1 inches vs. 102.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Bronco Sport is 2.3 inches wider in the front and .9 inches wider in the rear than on the Encore GX.

For greater off-road capability the Bronco Sport Base/Big Bend has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Encore GX (7.8 vs. 7.5 inches), allowing the Bronco Sport to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Bronco Sport’s minimum ground clearance is 1.3 inches higher than on the Encore GX (8.8 vs. 7.5 inches).

Passenger Space

The Bronco Sport has 11.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Encore GX (105.7 vs. 94.3).

The Bronco Sport has 1.8 inches more front headroom, 1.5 inches more front legroom, 3.3 inches more front hip room, 1.9 inches more front shoulder room, 3.6 inches more rear headroom, .9 inches more rear legroom, 5.9 inches more rear hip room and 2 inches more rear shoulder room than the Encore GX.

Cargo Capacity

The Bronco Sport has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Encore GX with its rear seat up (32.5 vs. 23.5 cubic feet). The Bronco Sport has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Encore GX with its rear seat folded (65.2 vs. 50.2 cubic feet).

An optional locking center console keeps your small valuables safer in the Bronco Sport. The Encore GX doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Bronco Sport’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the liftgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The Encore GX’s rear cargo window doesn’t open.

Towing

Maximum trailer towing in the Buick Encore GX is limited to 1000 pounds. The Bronco Sport offers up to a 2200 lbs. towing capacity.

Optional Trailer Sway Control on the Bronco Sport uses the AdvanceTrac® 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 Bronco Sport 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.

Ergonomics

The Bronco Sport Outer Banks/Badlands’ front and rear power windows all open or close with one touch of the switches. The Encore GX’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully.

If the windows are left open on the Bronco Sport the driver can close them all from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can also lower the windows the same way. The driver of the Encore GX can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Bronco Sport’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.

The Bronco Sport’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.

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

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

Both the Bronco Sport and the Encore GX offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Bronco Sport Big Bend/Outer Banks/Badlands 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 Bronco Sport will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Bronco Sport will retain 59.2% to 61.37% of its original price after five years, while the Encore GX only retains 45.57% to 45.58%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Ford Bronco Sport will be $412 to $453 less than for the Buick Encore GX.

Recommendations

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Bronco Sport first among small 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.

The Ford Bronco Sport outsold the Buick Encore by over two to one during 2022.