Compare the2024 Buick Encore GXVS 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer

Safety
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The Encore GX offers an optional Surround View to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Trailblazer only offers a rear monitor and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the front or sides.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Encore GX has standard Rear Cross Traffic Alert, helping the driver avoid collisions. Chevrolet charges extra for Rear Cross Traffic Alert on the Trailblazer.

Both the Encore GX and the Trailblazer have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, 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, rearview cameras and available blind spot warning systems.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Encore GX first among small suvs in their 2023 Initial Quality Study. The Trailblazer isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Buick vehicles are better in initial quality than Chevrolet vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Buick fourth in initial quality, above the industry average. With 4 more problems per 100 vehicles, Chevrolet is ranked fifth.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Buick vehicles are more reliable than Chevrolet vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Buick second in reliability, above the industry average. With 24 more problems per 100 vehicles, Chevrolet is ranked 10th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Buick vehicles are more reliable than Chevrolet vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Buick 9 places higher in reliability than Chevrolet.

Engine

The Encore GX’s optional 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder produces 18 more horsepower (155 vs. 137) and 12 lbs.-ft. more torque (174 vs. 162) than the Trailblazer’s standard 1.2 turbo 3-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Buick Encore GX 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder is faster than the Chevrolet Trailblazer 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder:

	Encore GX	Trailblazer
Zero to 30 MPH	3.4 sec	3.6 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	9.4 sec	9.5 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	6.4 sec	6.5 sec
Quarter Mile	17.3 sec	17.5 sec

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Encore GX 1.2 turbo 3-cylinder FWD gets better fuel mileage than the Trailblazer 1.2 turbo 3-cylinder CVT FWD (30 city/31 hwy vs. 29 city/31 hwy).

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

The Encore GX has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Trailblazer doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Brakes and Stopping

The Encore GX stops shorter than the Trailblazer:

	Encore GX	Trailblazer
60 to 0 MPH	126 feet	133 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

The Encore GX’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Trailblazer LS/LT/ACTIV’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 Trailblazer LS/LT/ACTIV.

Suspension and Handling

The Encore GX has variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Trailblazer doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The Encore GX AWD handles at .81 G’s, while the Trailblazer RS AWD pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Encore GX AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Trailblazer RS AWD (27.8 seconds @ .6 average G’s vs. 28.3 seconds @ .57 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Encore GX’s turning circle is .4 feet tighter than the Trailblazer’s (36.9 feet vs. 37.3 feet). The Encore GX’s turning circle is 1.4 feet tighter than the Trailblazer RS’ (36.9 feet vs. 38.3 feet).

Servicing Ease

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Buick service is better than Chevrolet. J.D. Power ranks Buick fifth in service department satisfaction. With a 20% lower rating, Chevrolet is ranked 16th.

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the Encore GX Avenir, 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 Trailblazer 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 Trailblazer 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 Trailblazer doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Encore GX Avenir’s optional wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The Trailblazer’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Encore GX’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Chevrolet only offers heated mirrors on the Trailblazer LT/ACTIV/RS.

When the Encore GX Avenir 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 Trailblazer’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Encore GX offers an optional 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 Trailblazer LS doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

The Encore GX Avenir’s 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. The Trailblazer doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

The Encore GX Select/Essence’s available GPS navigation system has a real-time traffic update feature that plots alternative routes to automatically bypass traffic problems. (Service not available in all areas.) The Trailblazer’s available navigation system doesn’t offer real-time traffic updates.

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 Trailblazer doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Encore GX owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Encore GX will cost $105 less than the Trailblazer over a five-year period.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Buick Encore GX and the Chevrolet Trailblazer, based on reliability, safety and performance.