Compare the2024 Mitsubishi Outlander SportVS 2024 Buick Encore GX

The Outlander Sport has standard Active Front Headrests, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Front Headrests system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Encore GX doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the Outlander Sport 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, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

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, results indicate that the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport is safer than the Buick Encore GX:

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

The Outlander Sport comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Encore GX’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Mitsubishi’s powertrain warranty covers the Outlander Sport 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Buick covers the Encore GX. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Encore GX ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The Outlander Sport’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Encore GX’s (7/100,000 vs. 6/100,000).

Mitsubishi pays for scheduled maintenance on the Outlander Sport for 2 years and 30,000 miles. Mitsubishi will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance (up to 3 visits). Buick doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Encore GX.

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

The Outlander Sport’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 11 more horsepower (148 vs. 137) than the Encore GX’s standard 1.2 turbo 3-cylinder. The Outlander Sport SEL’s standard 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 13 more horsepower (168 vs. 155) than the Encore GX’s optional 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder.

The Outlander Sport has 2.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Encore GX (15.8 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Outlander Sport 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.

The Outlander Sport stops shorter than the Encore GX:

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

For better maneuverability, the Outlander Sport’s turning circle is 2.1 feet tighter than the Encore GX’s (34.8 feet vs. 36.9 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Outlander Sport has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Encore GX (8.5 vs. 7.5 inches), allowing the Outlander Sport to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Outlander Sport has 3.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Encore GX (97.5 vs. 94.3).

The Outlander Sport has .7 inches more front legroom, .2 inches more front hip room, .8 inches more front shoulder room, .3 inches more rear legroom, .9 inches more rear hip room and 1.9 inches more rear shoulder room than the Encore GX.

The Outlander Sport’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.