Compare the2024 Dodge HornetVS 2024 Buick Encore GX

The Hornet has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active 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 Hornet offers optional Rear Park-Assist with Stop 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.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Hornet. But it costs extra on the Encore GX.

The Hornet 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.

The Hornet’s optional 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 Hornet 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, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

The Dodge Hornet weighs 460 to 1117 pounds more than the Buick Encore GX. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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

There are over 22 percent more Dodge dealers than there are Buick dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Hornet’s warranty.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Hornet has a standard 160-amp alternator. The Encore GX’s 130-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Dodge vehicles are better in initial quality than Buick vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Dodge first in initial quality, above the industry average. With 22 more problems per 100 vehicles, Buick is ranked fourth.

The Hornet GT’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 131 more horsepower (268 vs. 137) and 133 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 162) than the Encore GX’s standard 1.2 turbo 3-cylinder. The Hornet GT’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 113 more horsepower (268 vs. 155) and 121 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 174) than the Encore GX’s optional 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder. The Hornet R/T’s standard 1.3 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 133 more horsepower (288 vs. 155) and 209 lbs.-ft. more torque (383 vs. 174) than the Encore GX’s optional 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder.

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

On the EPA test cycle the Hornet running on electricity gets better mileage than the Encore GX:

On the EPA test cycle the Hornet R/T 1.3 turbo 4-cylinder Hybrid running its gasoline engine gets better fuel mileage than the Encore GX 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder AWD (29 city/29 hwy vs. 26 city/28 hwy).

The Hornet R/T can travel with zero emissions for 33 miles. The Encore GX can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

The Hornet R/T has a standard locking fuel door with a power remote release convenient to the driver. 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 Hornet’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Encore GX:

The Hornet stops much shorter than the Encore GX:

The Hornet’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Encore GX Avenir’s 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Hornet offers optional 20-inch wheels. The Encore GX’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

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

The Hornet offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Encore GX’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Hornet’s wheelbase is 1.6 inches longer than on the Encore GX (103.8 inches vs. 102.2 inches).

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

The Hornet R/T handles at .84 G’s, while the Encore GX AWD pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Hornet R/T executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.3 seconds quicker than the Encore GX AWD (26.5 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 27.8 seconds @ .6 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Hornet GT has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Encore GX (8.1 vs. 7.5 inches), allowing the Hornet to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Hornet has .8 inches more front legroom, 2.4 inches more front hip room, .3 inches more front shoulder room, .1 inches more rear headroom, 2 inches more rear legroom, 2.8 inches more rear hip room and 1.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the Encore GX.

The Hornet has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Encore GX with its rear seat up (27 vs. 23.5 cubic feet). The Hornet has a much 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 Hornet’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Encore GX’s (2000 vs. 1000 pounds).

The Hornet 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 Hornet’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 Hornet the driver can close them all from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can also lower the windows the same way. The driver of the Encore GX can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Hornet’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.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Hornet offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Encore GX doesn’t offer cornering lights.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the Hornet 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 Hornet 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.

Both the Hornet and the Encore GX offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Hornet 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.