Compare the2023 Infiniti QX50VS 2022 Buick Encore

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
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 Infiniti QX50 have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision. The Buick Encore doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the QX50 are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Encore doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The QX50 has standard Forward Emergency Braking, which use forward mounted sensors to warn the driver of a possible collision ahead. If the driver doesn’t react and the system determines a collision is imminent, it automatically applies the brakes at full-force in order to reduce the force of the crash or avoid it altogether. The Encore offers an available collision warning system without the automated brake feature that would prevent or reduce the collision if the driver fails to react.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The QX50 has standard Rear Automatic Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Encore doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The QX50’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the Encore.

The QX50 Sport/Sensory/Autograph has a standard Around View® Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Encore only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the QX50 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.

Both the QX50 and the Encore have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras and available all wheel drive.

The Infiniti QX50 weighs 491 to 943 pounds more than the Buick Encore. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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 Infiniti QX50 is safer than the Buick Encore:

	QX50	Encore
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Hip Force	306 lbs.	388 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	73	100
Spine Acceleration	25 G’s	33 G’s
Hip Force	227 lbs.	672 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	333	382
Spine Acceleration	39 G’s	46 G’s
Hip Force	339 lbs.	707 lbs.

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

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the QX50 is 2.4% to 5.1% less likely to roll over than the Encore.

Warranty

The QX50 comes with a full 4-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Encore’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 24,000 miles sooner.

Infiniti’s powertrain warranty covers the QX50 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Buick covers the Encore. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Encore ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The QX50’s corrosion warranty is 1 year and unlimited miles longer than the Encore’s (7/unlimited vs. 6/100,000).

Infiniti pays for scheduled maintenance on the QX50 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. Infiniti will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Buick doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Encore.

Reliability

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the QX50 has a standard 720-amp battery. The Encore’s 438-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

Engine

The QX50’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 113 more horsepower (268 vs. 155) and 103 lbs.-ft. more torque (280 vs. 177) than the Encore’s 1.4 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Infiniti QX50 is faster than the Buick Encore:

	QX50	Encore
Zero to 60 MPH	6.3 sec	10.7 sec
Quarter Mile	14.8 sec	17.9 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	93.6 MPH	77.5 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

The QX50 has 2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Encore (16 vs. 14 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Transmission

The QX50 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 Encore doesn’t offer a CVT.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the QX50’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Encore:

	QX50	Encore
Front Rotors	13 inches	11.8 inches
Rear Rotors	12.1 inches	10.6 inches

The QX50’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 are solid, not vented.

The QX50 stops shorter than the Encore:

	QX50	Encore
60 to 0 MPH	121 feet	126 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	130 feet	134 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the QX50 has larger standard tires than the Encore (235/55R19 vs. 215/55R18). The QX50 Sport/Sensory/Autograph’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Encore (255/45R20 vs. 215/55R18).

The QX50 Sport/Sensory/Autograph’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Encore’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the QX50 has standard 19-inch wheels. Only 18-inch wheels are available on the Encore. The QX50 Sport/Sensory/Autograph has standard 20-inch wheels.

The QX50 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 Encore doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the QX50 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Encore doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Infiniti QX50 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 has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The QX50 has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the QX50 flat and controlled during cornering. The Encore’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the QX50’s wheelbase is 9.6 inches longer than on the Encore (110.2 inches vs. 100.6 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the QX50 is 3.7 inches wider in the front and 3.4 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Encore.

The QX50 AWD handles at .84 G’s, while the Encore AWD pulls only .72 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The QX50 AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.9 seconds quicker than the Encore AWD (26.7 seconds @ .66 average G’s vs. 29.6 seconds @ .54 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the QX50 has a 2.4 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Encore (8.6 vs. 6.2 inches), allowing the QX50 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Passenger Space

The QX50 has 11.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Encore (104.4 vs. 92.8).

The QX50 has 1.4 inches more front headroom, 3.9 inches more front hip room, 3.7 inches more front shoulder room, .3 inches more rear headroom, 2.9 inches more rear legroom, 3.7 inches more rear hip room and 4.6 inches more rear shoulder room than the Encore.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the QX50’s rear seats recline. The Encore’s rear seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The QX50 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Encore with its rear seat up (31.4 vs. 18.8 cubic feet). The QX50 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Encore with its rear seat folded (65.1 vs. 48.4 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the QX50 easier. The QX50’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 26.6 inches, while the Encore’s liftover is 28.8 inches.

The QX50’s cargo area is larger than the Encore’s in almost every dimension:

	QX50	Encore
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	39”/71.7”	28.5”/55.8”
Max Width	54.5”	39.5”
Min Width	41.5”	36”
Height	31.2”	31.8”

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the QX50’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Encore 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 QX50. The Encore doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the QX50 has a standard power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button, or on the QX50 Luxe/Sport/Sensory/Autograph, by just kicking your foot under the back bumper, completely leaving your hands free. The Encore doesn’t offer a power liftgate.

Towing

The QX50 AWD Autograph offers up to a 3000 lbs. towing capacity. The Encore has no towing capacity.

Servicing Ease

The QX50 uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Encore 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

When two different drivers share the QX50 Luxe/Sport/Sensory/Autograph, the memory system makes it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, steering wheel position (with optional power wheel adjuster) and outside mirror angle. The Encore doesn’t offer a memory system.

The QX50 Luxe/Sport/Sensory/Autograph’s standard Entry/Exit Assist raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Encore doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The QX50 Sensory/Autograph has a standard heads-up display that projects speed and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Encore doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The QX50’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Encore has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

The QX50’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’s passenger windows don’t close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the QX50 the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Encore can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The QX50 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 doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

The QX50’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’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The QX50’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Encore’s halogen headlights. LED lights also light instantly and last over twenty times longer than halogen.

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors standard on the QX50 detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The Encore doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the QX50 Sensory/Autograph has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Encore doesn’t offer cornering lights.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the QX50 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Encore doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

When the QX50 Luxe/Sport/Sensory/Autograph is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Encore’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The QX50’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 doesn’t offer the luxury of automatic dimming mirrors.

The QX50 Luxe/Sport/Sensory/Autograph has standard heated front and second row seats (second row heated seats on Sport/Sensory/Autograph) extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated seats aren’t available in the Encore.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the QX50 Sport/Sensory/Autograph keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Encore doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the QX50 Sport/Sensory/Autograph’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The Encore doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The QX50’s 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. The Encore doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

The QX50’s standard automatic temperature control maintains the temperature you set, automatically controlling fan speed, vents and temperature to maintain a consistent, comfortable environment. The Encore doesn’t offer automatic air conditioning.

Both the QX50 and the Encore offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the QX50 has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Encore doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the QX50 has a standard Intelligent Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The Encore doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Infiniti QX50 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) for the front seat. The Encore doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

Economic Advantages

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the QX50 is less expensive to operate than the Encore because it costs $127 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost less on the QX50 than the Encore, including $168 less for front brake pads.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Infiniti QX50 and the Buick Encore, based on reliability, safety and performance.