Compare the2023 Mercedes GLCVS 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
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Mercedes GLC have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Buick Encore GX doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

The GLC’s 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 GLC has standard NECK-PRO front head restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the NECK-PRO front 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 GLC has a standard Maneuvering Brake Function 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.

The GLC has a standard blind spot warning system that 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 GLC has standard Rear Cross-Traffic Alert and Active Brake Assist automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. Buick charges extra for Rear Cross Traffic Alert on the Encore GX and the Encore GX’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert does not include automatic braking.

The GLC’s 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 GLC and the Encore GX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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 all wheel drive, lane departure warning systems and around view monitors.

The Mercedes GLC weighs 894 to 1252 pounds more than the Buick Encore GX. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

Warranty

The GLC comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Encore GX’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

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

Reliability

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the GLC’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 GLC has a standard 150-amp alternator. The Encore GX’s 130-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

Engine

The GLC’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 118 more horsepower (255 vs. 137) and 133 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 162) than the Encore GX’s standard 1.2 turbo 3-cylinder. The GLC’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 100 more horsepower (255 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 Car and Driver the Mercedes GLC is faster than the Buick Encore GX 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder:

	GLC	Encore GX
Zero to 60 MPH	5.7 sec	9.3 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	16.2 sec	31.2 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	6.6 sec	10.1 sec
Quarter Mile	14.4 sec	17 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	95 MPH	80 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

The GLC has 4.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Encore GX (17.4 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The GLC has a standard locking fuel door which locks and unlocks with the power locks The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Encore GX. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	GLC	GLC	Encore GX
Front Rotors	13.5 inches	14.6 inches	11.81 inches
Rear Rotors	12.6 inches	12.6 inches	10.39 inches

The GLC’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 GX are solid, not vented.

The GLC stops much shorter than the Encore GX:

	GLC	Encore GX
70 to 0 MPH	161 feet	174 feet	Car and Driver

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the GLC has larger standard tires than the Encore GX (235/60R18 vs. 225/55R18). The GLC’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Encore GX (F:255/45R20 & R:285/40R20 vs. 225/55R18).

The GLC’s optional 255/45R20 front and 285/40R20 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series front and 40 series rear 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 GLC offers optional 20-inch wheels. The Encore GX’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

Suspension and Handling

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

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the GLC’s wheelbase is 10.9 inches longer than on the Encore GX (113.1 inches vs. 102.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the GLC is 2.8 inches wider in the front and 2.7 inches wider in the rear than on the Encore GX.

The GLC 300 4MATIC handles at .88 G’s, while the Encore GX Essence AWD pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

Passenger Space

The GLC has 1.6 inches more front headroom, 7.1 inches more front hip room, 1.9 inches more front shoulder room, 1.6 inches more rear headroom, 1.4 inches more rear legroom, 10.8 inches more rear hip room and 3 inches more rear shoulder room than the Encore GX.

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

Cargo Capacity

The GLC has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Encore GX with its rear seat folded (59.3 vs. 50.2 cubic feet).

A control in the cargo area automatically lowers the GLC’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Encore GX 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 GLC. The Encore GX doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Towing

The GLC’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Encore GX’s (5291 vs. 1000 pounds).

Standard Trailer Stability Assist on the GLC uses the Electronic Stability Program 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 GLC 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.

The engine in the GLC is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Encore GX. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

Ergonomics

Unlike the driver-only memory seat and mirrors in the Encore GX Essence, the GLC offers an optional passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The GLC’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.

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

The GLC’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 GLC’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.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the GLC offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Encore GX doesn’t offer cornering lights.

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

The GLC’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 GX offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The GLC has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the Encore GX. The GLC 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 GLC 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 GLC 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 GLC and the Encore GX offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the GLC has available 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.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Mercedes GLC has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the Encore GX Essence offers wireless charging and it costs extra.

Recommendations

Motor Trend selected the GLC as their 2017 Sport Utility of the Year. The Encore GX has never been chosen.

The Mercedes GLC outsold the Buick Encore by 39% during 2022.