Compare the2023 Jeep CherokeeVS 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

Safety

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The Cherokee 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.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Cherokee has standard Parksense with Rear Stop 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.

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

The Cherokee 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 Cherokee has standard Rear Cross-Path Detection, helping the driver avoid collisions. Buick charges extra for Rear Cross Traffic Alert on the Encore GX.

Both the Cherokee and the Encore GX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger 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 and rearview cameras.

The Jeep Cherokee weighs 602 to 1235 pounds more than the Buick Encore GX. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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

	Cherokee	Encore GX
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	166	401
Neck Compression	26 lbs.	82 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	241/259 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 Jeep Cherokee is safer than the Buick Encore GX:

	Cherokee	Encore GX
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	64	91
Chest Movement	.7 inches	1.1 inches
Abdominal Force	133 lbs.	199 lbs.
Hip Force	363 lbs.	459 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	203	337
Hip Force	490 lbs.	591 lbs.

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

Warranty

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

Jeep pays for scheduled maintenance on the Cherokee 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 Cherokee’s warranty.

Reliability

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

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Cherokee has a standard 160-amp alternator (180-amp - Cherokee optional). The Encore GX’s 130-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

Engine

The Cherokee’s standard 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 43 more horsepower (180 vs. 137) and 9 lbs.-ft. more torque (171 vs. 162) than the Encore GX’s standard 1.2 turbo 3-cylinder. The Cherokee’s 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 25 more horsepower (180 vs. 155) than the Encore GX’s optional 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder. The Cherokee Trailhawk’s optional 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 115 more horsepower (270 vs. 155) and 121 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 174) than the Encore GX’s optional 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Cherokee Trailhawk 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the Buick Encore GX 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder:

	Cherokee	Encore GX
Zero to 60 MPH	6.6 sec	9.3 sec
Quarter Mile	15.2 sec	17 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	90.3 MPH	80 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

The Cherokee has 2.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Encore GX (15.8 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Cherokee	Encore GX
Front Rotors	13 inches	11.81 inches
Rear Rotors	10.95 inches	10.39 inches
Opt Rear Rotors	12.6 inches

The Cherokee stops shorter than the Encore GX:

	Cherokee	Encore GX
60 to 0 MPH	121 feet	122 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Cherokee Trailhawk 4x4’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Encore GX (245/65R17 vs. 225/55R18).

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

The Cherokee’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 a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Cherokee’s wheelbase is 4.4 inches longer than on the Encore GX (106.6 inches vs. 102.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Cherokee is 2.1 inches wider in the front and 1.4 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Encore GX.

The Cherokee Altitude LUX executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Encore GX AWD (27.1 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 27.8 seconds @ .6 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Cherokee has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Encore GX (7.9 vs. 7.5 inches), allowing the Cherokee to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Cherokee Trailhawk’s minimum ground clearance is 1.2 inches higher than on the Encore GX (8.7 vs. 7.5 inches).

Passenger Space

The Cherokee has 9.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Encore GX (103.5 vs. 94.3).

The Cherokee has .2 inches more front legroom, 1.9 inches more front hip room, 2.2 inches more front shoulder room, .4 inches more rear headroom, 4.3 inches more rear legroom, 2.4 inches more rear hip room and 1.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the Encore GX.

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

Cargo Capacity

The Cherokee has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Encore GX with its rear seat up (27.6 vs. 23.5 cubic feet). The Cherokee has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Encore GX with its rear seat folded (54.7 vs. 50.2 cubic feet).

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

Towing

The Cherokee’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Encore GX’s (2000 vs. 1000 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Buick Encore GX is only 1000 pounds. The Cherokee offers up to a 4000 lbs. towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Cherokee 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.

Servicing Ease

The Cherokee 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 Cherokee’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 GX’s passenger windows don’t close automatically.

The Cherokee’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Encore GX’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Cherokee’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.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the Cherokee 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.

The Cherokee has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel is only available on the Encore GX Essence.

The Cherokee 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 Cherokee and the Encore GX offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Cherokee 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.