Compare the2023 Jeep CompassVS 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
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The Compass’ pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Encore GX doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The Compass has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Encore GX doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

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

The Compass 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 Compass 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 Compass’ 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 Compass 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, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras and available 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 Jeep Compass is safer than the Buick Encore GX:

	Compass	Encore GX
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	172	401
Leg Forces (l/r)	299/387 lbs.	409/383 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, with its optional front crash prevention system, and its headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Compass its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2019, a rating granted to only 128 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Encore GX is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2019.

Warranty

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

Jeep pays for scheduled maintenance on the Compass 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 Compass’ warranty.

Reliability

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

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Compass has a standard 180-amp alternator. The Encore GX’s 130-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Compass has a standard 850-amp battery. The Encore GX’s 760-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

Engine

The Compass’ 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 63 more horsepower (200 vs. 137) and 59 lbs.-ft. more torque (221 vs. 162) than the Encore GX’s standard 1.2 turbo 3-cylinder. The Compass’ 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 45 more horsepower (200 vs. 155) and 47 lbs.-ft. more torque (221 vs. 174) than the Encore GX’s optional 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Compass gets better fuel mileage than the Encore GX 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder AWD (24 city/32 hwy vs. 26 city/29 hwy).

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Compass	Encore GX
Front Rotors	12 inches	11.81 inches
Rear Rotors	10.95 inches	10.39 inches

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Compass 4x4’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Encore GX (235/45R19 vs. 225/55R18).

The Compass 4x4’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 Compass 4x4 offers optional 19-inch wheels. The Encore GX’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

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

The Compass’ 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 a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Compass’ wheelbase is 1.6 inches longer than on the Encore GX (103.8 inches vs. 102.2 inches).

For better maneuverability, the Compass Trailhawk’s turning circle is 1.5 feet tighter than the Encore GX’s (35.3 feet vs. 36.8 feet). The Compass 4x4’s turning circle is .5 feet tighter than the Encore GX’s (36.3 feet vs. 36.8 feet).

Passenger Space

The Compass has 5.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Encore GX (99.6 vs. 94.3).

The Compass has .3 inches more front legroom, 2.2 inches more front hip room, 1.3 inches more front shoulder room, .4 inches more rear headroom, 2.3 inches more rear legroom, 1.7 inches more rear hip room and 1.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the Encore GX.

Cargo Capacity

The Compass has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Encore GX with its rear seat up (27.2 vs. 23.5 cubic feet). The Compass has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Encore GX with its rear seat folded (59.8 vs. 50.2 cubic feet).

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

	Compass	Encore GX
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	32.4”/65.7”	31.8”/60.8”
Max Width	53.8”	53”
Min Width	38.1”	40.7”
Height	29.6”	32”

Towing

Maximum trailer towing in the Buick Encore GX is limited to 1000 pounds. The Compass offers up to a 2000 lbs. towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Compass 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.

Ergonomics

The Compass’ instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Encore GX does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Compass’ 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.

The Compass’ 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 Compass’ available 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 Compass Latitude/Trailhawk/Limited has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Encore GX doesn’t offer cornering lights.

Both the Compass and the Encore GX offer available heated front seats. The Compass Trailhawk/Limited also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Encore GX.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the Compass Limited/Trailhawk keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Encore GX doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

Both the Compass and the Encore GX offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Compass 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

Insurance will cost less for the Compass owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Compass will cost $135 less than the Encore GX over a five-year period.

The Compass will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Compass will retain 48.2% to 49.34% of its original price after five years, while the Encore GX only retains 45.57% to 45.58%.

Recommendations

The Jeep Compass outsold the Buick Encore by 82% during the 2022 model year.