Both the Trax and the Encore GX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, 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.
Compare the2025 Chevrolet TraxVS 2024 Buick Encore GX
Safety
Warranty
There are almost 3 times as many Chevrolet dealers as there are Buick dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Trax’s warranty.
Engine
As tested in Motor Trend the Chevrolet Trax is faster than the Buick Encore GX 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder:
|
Trax |
Encore GX |
Zero to 60 MPH |
8.5 sec |
9.3 sec |
Quarter Mile |
16.5 sec |
17 sec |
Speed in 1/4 Mile |
82.7 MPH |
80 MPH |
Brakes and Stopping
The Trax stops shorter than the Encore GX:
|
Trax |
Encore GX |
|
60 to 0 MPH |
116 feet |
122 feet |
Motor Trend |
Suspension and Handling
For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Trax’s wheelbase is 4.1 inches longer than on the Encore GX (106.3 inches vs. 102.2 inches).
The Trax ACTIV handles at .84 G’s, while the Encore GX Avenir AWD pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.
The Trax ACTIV executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Encore GX Sport Touring AWD (27.5 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 28.1 seconds @ .6 average G’s).
Passenger Space
The Trax has 3.7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Encore GX (98 vs. 94.3).
The Trax has 1 inch more front legroom, .2 inches more front hip room, .3 inches more front shoulder room, 2.7 inches more rear legroom and .7 inches more rear shoulder room than the Encore GX.
Cargo Capacity
The Trax has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Encore GX with its rear seat up (25.6 vs. 23.5 cubic feet). The Trax has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Encore GX with its rear seat folded (54.1 vs. 50.2 cubic feet).
Towing
All models of the Trax can be flat towed on all four wheels, allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Trax can be unhitched and driven around locally. Only the Encore GX AWD can be dinghy towed.
Ergonomics
The Trax’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Encore GX does not have an oil pressure gauge.
Recommendations
Motor Trend performed a comparison test in its January 2024 issue and they ranked the Chevrolet Trax ACTIV higher than the Buick Encore GX Sport Touring AWD.
The Trax was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2024. The Encore GX has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.
The Chevrolet Trax outsold the Buick Encore GX by 71% during 2023.