Compare the2024 Subaru CrosstrekVS 2024 Buick Encore GX

The Crosstrek has standard Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats, which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move 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 Crosstrek Limited/Wilderness has standard Reverse Automatic Braking that use rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically apply 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 Crosstrek. But it costs extra on the Encore GX.

The Crosstrek’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 Crosstrek 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, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

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

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

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 Crosstrek’s reliability 52 points higher than the Encore GX.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Buick vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru 6 places higher in reliability than Buick.

The Crosstrek’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 15 more horsepower (152 vs. 137) than the Encore GX’s standard 1.2 turbo 3-cylinder. The Crosstrek Sport/Limited/Wilderness’ standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 27 more horsepower (182 vs. 155) and 4 lbs.-ft. more torque (178 vs. 174) than the Encore GX’s optional 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder.

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

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the Crosstrek lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability without compromising ground clearance. The Encore GX doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

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

The Crosstrek has 3.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Encore GX (16.6 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Crosstrek has a standard locking fuel door. 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.

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

The Crosstrek’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 Crosstrek stops shorter than the Encore GX:

For superior ride and handling, the Subaru Crosstrek 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 Crosstrek has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Crosstrek 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 Crosstrek’s wheelbase is 2.9 inches longer than on the Encore GX (105.1 inches vs. 102.2 inches).

For better maneuverability, the Crosstrek Wilderness’ turning circle is 2.1 feet tighter than the Encore GX’s (34.8 feet vs. 36.9 feet). The Crosstrek’s turning circle is 1.5 feet tighter than the Encore GX’s (35.4 feet vs. 36.9 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Crosstrek has a 1.2 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Encore GX (8.7 vs. 7.5 inches), allowing the Crosstrek to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Crosstrek Wilderness’ minimum ground clearance is 1.8 inches higher than on the Encore GX (9.3 vs. 7.5 inches).

The Crosstrek has 6.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Encore GX (100.5 vs. 94.3).

The Crosstrek has .1 inches more front headroom, 2 inches more front legroom, 3.2 inches more front hip room, 1.4 inches more front shoulder room, .5 inches more rear legroom, 4.5 inches more rear hip room and 1.7 inches more rear shoulder room than the Encore GX.

The Crosstrek has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Encore GX with its rear seat folded (54.7 vs. 50.2 cubic feet).

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

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Crosstrek. The Encore GX doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Crosstrek’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Encore GX’s (1500 vs. 1000 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Buick Encore GX is only 1000 pounds. The Crosstrek offers up to a 3500 lbs. towing capacity.

The engine in the Crosstrek 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.

The Crosstrek’s 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 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 Crosstrek’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Encore GX’s headlights are rated “Acceptable” to “Marginal.”

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

The Crosstrek’s optional 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 Crosstrek 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 Avenir.

Consumer Reports® chose the Subaru Crosstrek as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Buick Encore GX isn't recommended.

Motor Trend performed a comparison test in its January 2024 issue and they ranked the Subaru Crosstrek higher than the Buick Encore GX Sport Touring AWD.

The Subaru Crosstrek outsold the Buick Encore GX by over two to one during 2023.