Compare the2024 Buick Encore GXVS 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid

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 Corolla Cross Hybrid doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The Encore GX offers an optional Surround View to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Corolla Cross Hybrid 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.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Encore GX has standard Rear Cross Traffic Alert, helping the driver avoid collisions. Only the Corolla Cross Hybrid SE/XSE offers Rear Cross-Traffic Alert.

Both the Encore GX and the Corolla Cross Hybrid have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear 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 and available blind spot warning systems.

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

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 Buick Encore GX is safer than the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid:

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

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

There are over 58 percent more Buick dealers than there are Toyota dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Encore GX’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Encore GX first among small suvs in their 2023 Initial Quality Study. The Corolla Cross Hybrid 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 Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Buick fourth in initial quality, above the industry average. With 32 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is ranked 22nd, below the industry average.

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 Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Buick second in reliability, above the industry average. With 11 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is ranked fifth.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Encore GX’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Corolla Cross Hybrid doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Encore GX has 2.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Corolla Cross Hybrid (13.2 vs. 10.6 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

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 Corolla Cross Hybrid doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

The Encore GX stops shorter than the Corolla Cross Hybrid:

For better traction, the Encore GX has larger standard tires than the Corolla Cross Hybrid (225/55R18 vs. 215/65R17). The Encore GX Avenir’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Corolla Cross Hybrid (245/45R19 vs. 225/55R18).

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 Corolla Cross Hybrid’s standard 65 series tires. The Encore GX Avenir’s tires have a lower 45 series profile than the Corolla Cross Hybrid XSE’s 55 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 Corolla Cross Hybrid. The Encore GX Avenir’s 19-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels on the Corolla Cross Hybrid XSE.

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 Corolla Cross Hybrid doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The Encore GX has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Corolla Cross Hybrid; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The Encore GX AWD handles at .84 G’s, while the Corolla Cross Hybrid XSE pulls only .82 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Buick Encore GX may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 100 to 300 pounds less than the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid.

The Encore GX is 5.4 inches shorter than the Corolla Cross Hybrid, making the Encore GX easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

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 Corolla Cross Hybrid 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 Corolla Cross Hybrid doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Encore GX has 1.1 inches more front headroom, 2.7 inches more front shoulder room, 4 inches more rear legroom, 6.9 inches more rear hip room and 1.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the Corolla Cross Hybrid.

The Encore GX has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Corolla Cross Hybrid (23.5 vs. 21.5 cubic feet).

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Encore GX Avenir’s liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Corolla Cross Hybrid doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

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 Corolla Cross Hybrid can’t be towed flat on the ground.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Buick service is better than Toyota. J.D. Power ranks Buick fifth in service department satisfaction. With a 24% lower rating, Toyota is ranked 20th.

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 Corolla Cross Hybrid 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 Corolla Cross Hybrid 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 Corolla Cross Hybrid 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 Corolla Cross Hybrid doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

The Encore GX’s standard variable intermittent wipers have an adjustable delay to allow the driver to choose a setting that best clears the windshield during light rain or mist. The Corolla Cross Hybrid S’ standard fixed intermittent wipers only have one fixed delay setting, so the driver will have to manually switch them between slow and intermittent. 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 Corolla Cross Hybrid SE/XSE’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

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 Corolla Cross Hybrid has an automatic headlight on/off feature standard only on the LE/XSE.

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 Corolla Cross Hybrid’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

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

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 Corolla Cross Hybrid’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 Corolla Cross Hybrid doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

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