Compare the2023 Ford Escape FHEVVS 2023 Buick Encore GX

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

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Ford Escape FHEV 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 Escape FHEV 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.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Escape FHEV offers an optional Reverse Brake Assist that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Encore GX doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Escape FHEV 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 Escape FHEV has standard Cross Traffic Alert to warn the driver of approaching traffic and automatically engage the brakes to help avoid a collision. Buick charges extra for Rear Cross Traffic Alert on the Encore GX and the Encore GX’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert does not include automatic braking.

The Escape FHEV’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 Escape FHEV and the Encore GX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front wheel drive, 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, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

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

	Escape FHEV	Encore GX
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	143	185
Neck Injury Risk	22.5%	24%
Neck Stress	185 lbs.	190 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	102	401
Neck Compression	58 lbs.	82 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	220/169 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 Escape FHEV is safer than the Buick Encore GX:

	Escape FHEV	Encore GX
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.9 inches	1.1 inches
Abdominal Force	191 lbs.	199 lbs.
Hip Force	240 lbs.	459 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	97	185
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	11 inches	13 inches
Spine Acceleration	32 G’s	38 G’s
Hip Force	462 lbs.	591 lbs.

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

Warranty

The Escape FHEV’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 Escape FHEV’s warranty.

Reliability

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the Escape FHEV’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.

The Escape FHEV 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 Escape FHEV’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 63 more horsepower (200 vs. 137) than the Encore GX’s standard 1.2 turbo 3-cylinder. The Escape FHEV’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 45 more horsepower (200 vs. 155) than the Encore GX’s optional 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Ford Escape FHEV is faster than the Buick Encore GX 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder:

	Escape FHEV	Encore GX
Zero to 60 MPH	8.3 sec	9.4 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	4.9 sec	6.4 sec
Quarter Mile	16.5 sec	17.3 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	90 MPH	82 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

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

			MPG
Escape FHEV
	FWD	2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	42 city/36 hwy
	AWD	2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	42 city/36 hwy
Encore GX
	FWD	1.3 turbo 3-cyl.	29 city/32 hwy
		1.2 turbo 3-cyl.	29 city/31 hwy
	AWD	1.3 turbo 3-cyl.	26 city/29 hwy

The Escape FHEV has 1.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Encore GX (14.3 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Escape FHEV has a standard locking fuel door with a power remote release convenient to the driver The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Encore GX. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Ford Escape FHEV higher (8 out of 10) than the Buick Encore GX (7). This means the Escape FHEV produces up to 5.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Encore GX every 15,000 miles.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Escape FHEV	Encore GX
Front Rotors	13 inches	11.81 inches
Rear Rotors	11.9 inches	10.39 inches

The Escape FHEV stops shorter than the Encore GX:

	Escape FHEV	Encore GX
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	135 feet	138 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Escape FHEV offers optional 19-inch wheels. The Encore GX’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Ford Escape FHEV 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 Escape FHEV has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Escape FHEV 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 Escape FHEV’s wheelbase is 4.5 inches longer than on the Encore GX (106.7 inches vs. 102.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Escape FHEV is 1.3 inches wider in the front than on the Encore GX.

Passenger Space

The Escape FHEV has 7.9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Encore GX (102.2 vs. 94.3).

The Escape FHEV has .3 inches more front headroom, 1.5 inches more front legroom, 3.3 inches more front hip room, 2.2 inches more front shoulder room, 1.2 inches more rear headroom, 2.9 inches more rear legroom, 5.8 inches more rear hip room and 2.4 inches more rear shoulder room than the Encore GX.

Cargo Capacity

The Escape FHEV has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Encore GX with its rear seat up (34.4 vs. 23.5 cubic feet). The Escape FHEV has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Encore GX with its rear seat folded (60.8 vs. 50.2 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Escape FHEV easier. The Escape FHEV’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 27.9 inches, while the Encore GX’s liftover is 30.5 inches.

The Escape FHEV’s cargo area is larger than the Encore GX’s in every dimension:

	Escape FHEV	Encore GX
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	36.7”/68.3”	31.8”/60.8”
Max Width	57.3”	53”
Min Width	41.4”	40.7”
Height	32.8”	32”

Towing

The Escape FHEV’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Encore GX’s (1500 vs. 1000 pounds).

All models of the Escape FHEV can be flat towed on all four wheels, allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Escape FHEV can be unhitched and driven around locally. Only the Encore GX AWD can be dinghy towed.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Escape FHEV 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.

Ergonomics

The Escape FHEV SEL/Titanium’s 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.

The Escape FHEV’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 Escape FHEV’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 Escape FHEV 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 Escape FHEV and the Encore GX offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Escape FHEV offers optional 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 Escape FHEV will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Escape FHEV will retain 49.07% to 49.62% of its original price after five years, while the Encore GX only retains 45.57% to 45.58%.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Ford Escape FHEV and the Buick Encore GX, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Ford Escape outsold the Buick Encore by almost three to one during 2022.