Compare the2024 Chevrolet EquinoxVS 2024 Buick Encore GX

Both the Equinox and the Encore GX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

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

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 Chevrolet Equinox is safer than the Buick Encore GX:

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

There are over 48 percent more Chevrolet dealers than there are Buick dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Equinox’s warranty.

The Equinox’s 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 38 more horsepower (175 vs. 137) and 41 lbs.-ft. more torque (203 vs. 162) than the Encore GX’s standard 1.2 turbo 3-cylinder. The Equinox’s 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 20 more horsepower (175 vs. 155) and 29 lbs.-ft. more torque (203 vs. 174) than the Encore GX’s optional 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Chevrolet Equinox is faster than the Buick Encore GX 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder:

The Equinox FWD’s standard fuel tank has 1.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Encore GX (14.9 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Equinox AWD’s standard fuel tank has 2.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Encore GX (15.6 vs. 13.2 gallons).

The Equinox stops much shorter than the Encore GX:

For superior ride and handling, the Chevrolet Equinox 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.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Equinox’s wheelbase is 5.1 inches longer than on the Encore GX (107.3 inches vs. 102.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Equinox is 1.1 inches wider in the front and .3 inches wider in the rear than on the Encore GX.

The Equinox Premier AWD handles at .86 G’s, while the Encore GX Avenir AWD pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Equinox Premier executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Encore GX Sport Touring AWD (27.7 seconds @ .61 average G’s vs. 28.1 seconds @ .6 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Equinox has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Encore GX (7.9 vs. 7.5 inches), allowing the Equinox to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Equinox w/18” Wheels’ minimum ground clearance is .5 inch higher than on the Encore GX (8 vs. 7.5 inches).

The Equinox has 8.9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Encore GX (103.2 vs. 94.3).

The Equinox has .3 inches more front headroom, 2.3 inches more front hip room, 1.8 inches more front shoulder room, .4 inches more rear headroom, 3.9 inches more rear legroom, 1 inch more rear hip room and 1.9 inches more rear shoulder room than the Encore GX.

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

The Equinox has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Encore GX with its rear seat up (29.9 vs. 23.5 cubic feet). The Equinox has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Encore GX with its rear seat folded (63.9 vs. 50.2 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Equinox easier. The Equinox’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 28.6 inches, while the Encore GX’s liftover is 30.5 inches.

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

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the Equinox LT/RS/Premier’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Encore GX doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The Equinox’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Encore GX’s (1500 vs. 1000 pounds).

All models of the Equinox can be flat towed on all four wheels, allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Equinox can be unhitched and driven around locally. Only the Encore GX AWD can be dinghy towed.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Equinox uses the StabiliTrak® 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 Equinox’s 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.

On a hot day the Equinox’s driver can lower all 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 Equinox Premier’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.

Both the Equinox and the Encore GX offer available heated front seats. The Equinox Premier 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 Equinox Premier 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 Equinox and the Encore GX offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Equinox 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.

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

The Chevrolet Equinox outsold the Buick Encore GX by over three to one during 2023.