Compare the2023 Jeep RenegadeVS 2023 Buick Encore GX

The Renegade has standard Active Headrests, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active 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 Renegade Limited offers optional Park Assist with Rear Stop that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear 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 Renegade. But it costs extra on the Encore GX.

The Renegade 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 Renegade 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.

Both the Renegade and the Encore GX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights and 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 Jeep Renegade is safer than the Buick Encore GX:

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

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

Jeep pays for scheduled maintenance on the Renegade for 3 years and unlimited miles. Jeep will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance (up to 3 oil changes). Buick doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Encore GX.

There are over 22 percent more Jeep dealers than there are Buick dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Renegade’s warranty.

The engine in the Renegade has a single overhead cam for simplicity. The engines in the Encore GX have dual overhead cams, which add to the number of moving parts and the complexity of the cylinder heads.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Renegade has a standard 150-amp alternator (160-amp - Renegade Auto). The Encore GX’s 130-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

The Renegade’s 1.3 turbo 4-cylinder produces 40 more horsepower (177 vs. 137) and 48 lbs.-ft. more torque (210 vs. 162) than the Encore GX’s standard 1.2 turbo 3-cylinder. The Renegade’s 1.3 turbo 4-cylinder produces 22 more horsepower (177 vs. 155) and 36 lbs.-ft. more torque (210 vs. 174) than the Encore GX’s optional 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder.

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

The Renegade stops much shorter than the Encore GX:

For better traction, the Renegade’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Encore GX (235/45R19 vs. 225/55R18).

The Renegade’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Encore GX’s 55 series tires.

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

The Renegade Trailhawk 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.

For superior ride and handling, the Jeep Renegade 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 Renegade has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Renegade flat and controlled during cornering. The Encore GX’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The Renegade’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Encore GX doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For better maneuverability, the Renegade Trailhawk’s turning circle is 1.5 feet tighter than the Encore GX’s (35.3 feet vs. 36.8 feet). The Renegade’s turning circle is .5 feet tighter than the Encore GX’s (36.3 feet vs. 36.8 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Renegade has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Encore GX (8 vs. 7.5 inches), allowing the Renegade to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Renegade Trailhawk’s minimum ground clearance is 1.2 inches higher than on the Encore GX (8.7 vs. 7.5 inches).

The Renegade is 4.8 inches shorter than the Encore GX, making the Renegade easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Renegade has 5.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Encore GX (100.1 vs. 94.3).

The Renegade has 1.4 inches more front headroom, .3 inches more front legroom, 1.2 inches more front hip room, .5 inches more front shoulder room, 2.4 inches more rear headroom, 4.4 inches more rear hip room and 1.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the Encore GX.

The Renegade has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Encore GX with its rear seat folded (50.8 vs. 50.2 cubic feet).

A standard locking glovebox keeps your small valuables safer in the Renegade. The Encore GX doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

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

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Renegade uses the Electronic Stability Control 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.

The Renegade’s front power windows 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 front passenger window doesn’t close automatically.

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

The Renegade 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.

The Renegade will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Renegade will retain 52.53% to 58.07% 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 Jeep Renegade will be $1694 to $2879 less than for the Buick Encore GX.