Compare the2023 Buick Encore GXVS 2023 Fiat 500X

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

Safety

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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 Encore GX are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The 500X doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Buick Encore GX has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The 500X doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tests front crash prevention systems. With a score of 6 points, IIHS rates the Automatic Emergency Braking in the Encore GX as “Superior.” The 500X scores only 4 points and is rated only “Advanced.”

The Encore GX’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 500X and is only available on 500X Sport.

The Encore GX Select/Essence offers an optional Surround View to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The 500X 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.

Both the Encore GX and the 500X 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, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

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, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its available headlight’s “Acceptable” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Encore GX the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2022, a rating granted to only 174 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The 500X last would have qualified as a “Top Safety Pick” in 2017.

Warranty

Buick’s powertrain warranty covers the Encore GX 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Fiat covers the 500X. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the 500X ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

The Encore GX’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the 500X’s (6 vs. 5 years).

There are over 5 times as many Buick dealers as there are Fiat dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Encore GX’s warranty.

Reliability

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Encore GX has a standard 760-amp battery. The 500X’s 500-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Encore GX’s reliability 30 points higher than the 500X.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Encore GX first among small suvs in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The 500X isn’t in the top three in its category.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Encore GX gets better mileage than the 500X:

			MPG
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
500X
	AWD	1.3 turbo 4-cyl.	24 city/30 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the Encore GX’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The 500X doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Buick Encore GX uses regular unleaded gasoline. The 500X requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Buick Encore GX higher (7 out of 10) than the Fiat 500X (6). This means the Encore GX produces up to 1.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the 500X every 15,000 miles.

Transmission

The Encore GX 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 500X doesn’t offer a CVT.

Brakes and Stopping

The Encore GX stops shorter than the 500X:

	Encore GX	500X
60 to 0 MPH	126 feet	130 feet	Consumer Reports
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	138 feet	146 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Encore GX has larger tires than the 500X (225/55R18 vs. 215/60R17).

The Encore GX’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the 500X AWD’s standard 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Encore GX has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the 500X AWD.

The Encore GX 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 500X doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

Suspension and Handling

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Encore GX is .4 inches wider in the front and 1.2 inches wider in the rear than on the 500X.

The Encore GX Essence AWD handles at .84 G’s, while the 500X pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Encore GX AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the 500X (27.8 seconds @ .6 average G’s vs. 28.7 seconds @ .59 average G’s).

Chassis

The Buick Encore GX may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 50 to 300 pounds less than the Fiat 500X.

The front grille of the Encore GX uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The 500X doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Encore GX uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The 500X doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Passenger Space

The Encore GX has 2.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the 500X (94.3 vs. 91.7).

The Encore GX has .6 inches more front headroom, 1.1 inches more front shoulder room, .3 inches more rear headroom, 1.2 inches more rear legroom and .8 inches more rear shoulder room than the 500X.

The front step up height for the Encore GX is 1.9 inches lower than the 500X (17.5” vs. 19.4”). The Encore GX’s rear step up height is 1.6 inches lower than the 500X’s (18” vs. 19.6”).

Cargo Capacity

The Encore GX has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the 500X with its rear seat up (23.5 vs. 14.1 cubic feet). The Encore GX has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the 500X with its rear seat folded (50.2 vs. 39.8 cubic feet).

The Encore GX’s cargo area is larger than the 500X’s in every dimension:

	Encore GX	500X
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	31.8”/60.8”	n/a
Max Width	53”	41.3”
Min Width	40.7”	37.8”
Height	32”	28.8”

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Encore GX’s power liftgate can be opened or closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The 500X doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening liftgate.

Towing

The Encore GX AWD can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Encore GX can be unhitched and driven around locally. The 500X can’t be towed flat on the ground.

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the Encore GX Essence, the memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The 500X doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Encore GX Essence’s standard easy entry system 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 500X doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Encore GX Select/Essence offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, warning 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 500X doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Encore GX’s available exterior PIN entry system. The 500X doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its extra cost Uconnect Access can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

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 Encore GX’s available headlights were rated “Acceptable” by the IIHS, while the 500X’s headlights are rated “Poor.”

The Encore GX has a standard automatic headlight on/off feature. When the ignition is on, the headlights automatically turn on at dusk and off after dawn. When the ignition turns off, the headlights turn off after a delay timed to allow you to securely get to your front door. The 500X only offers an automatic headlight on/off feature as an extra cost option.

When the Encore GX Essence 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 500X’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

On extremely cold winter days, the Encore GX Essence’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The 500X doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Encore GX Select/Essence has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The 500X doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

For greater rear passenger comfort, the Encore GX has standard rear heat vents to keep rear occupants more comfortable. The 500X doesn’t offer rear vents.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Buick Encore GX Essence offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The 500X doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Encore GX Essence has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The 500X doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Encore GX Essence’s optional Automatic Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting and stopping automatically, with the driver only responsible for switching from reverse to drive. The 500X doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Model Availability

The Encore GX is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The 500X doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Economic Advantages

The Encore GX will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Encore GX will retain 45.57% to 45.58% of its original price after five years, while the 500X only retains 36.13% to 38.37%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Buick Encore GX will be $4419 to $5298 less than for the Fiat 500X.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Buick Encore GX, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Fiat 500X isn't recommended.

The Buick Encore outsold the Fiat 500X by almost 54 to one during 2022.

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