Compare the2025 Buick Encore GXVS 2025 Cadillac XT5

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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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 XT5 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The Encore GX 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. Only the XT5 Premium Luxury/Sport offers a blind spot warning system.

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 XT5 Premium Luxury/Sport offers Rear Cross Traffic Alert.

Both the Encore GX and the XT5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver 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 around view monitors.

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 Cadillac XT5:

	Encore GX	XT5
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	24%	24%
Leg Forces (l/r)	83/261 lbs.	213/542 lbs.

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 Cadillac XT5:

	Encore GX	XT5
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	91	112
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	41 G’s	43 G’s
Hip Force	517 lbs.	825 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	337	399
Spine Acceleration	38 G’s	39 G’s
Hip Force	591 lbs.	799 lbs.

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

Warranty

There are over 87 percent more Buick dealers than there are Cadillac dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Encore GX’s warranty.

Reliability

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Encore GX has a standard 760-amp battery. The XT5’s 730-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Buick vehicles are better in initial quality than Cadillac vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Buick above average in initial quality. With 50 more problems per 100 vehicles, Cadillac is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Buick vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Buick third in reliability, above the industry average. With 47 more problems per 100 vehicles, Cadillac is ranked 12th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Buick vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Buick 4 places higher in reliability than Cadillac.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Encore GX gets better mileage than the XT5:

			MPG
Encore GX
	FWD	1.2 turbo 3-cyl.	30 city/31 hwy
		1.3 turbo 3-cyl.	29 city/31 hwy
	AWD	1.3 turbo 3-cyl.	26 city/28 hwy
XT5
	FWD	3.6 DOHC V6	19 city/26 hwy
		2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/29 hwy
	AWD	3.6 DOHC V6	18 city/26 hwy
		2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/27 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the Encore GX’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The XT5 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Buick Encore GX uses regular unleaded gasoline. The XT5 with the 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder engine requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Buick Encore GX higher (7 out of 10) than the Cadillac XT5 (6 to 7). This means the Encore GX produces up to 1.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the XT5 every 15,000 miles.

Transmission

The Encore GX has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The XT5 doesn’t offer a CVT.

Brakes and Stopping

The Encore GX stops much shorter than the XT5:

	Encore GX	XT5
60 to 0 MPH	117 feet	128 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Encore GX’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the XT5 (245/45R19 vs. 235/65R18).

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 XT5’s standard 65 series tires. The Encore GX’s optional tires have a lower 45 series profile than the XT5’s optional 55 series tires.

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 XT5 doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

Suspension and Handling

For better maneuverability, the Encore GX’s turning circle is 1.8 feet tighter than the XT5’s (36.9 feet vs. 38.7 feet). The Encore GX’s turning circle is 2.1 feet tighter than the XT5 w/20” wheels’ (36.9 feet vs. 39 feet).

Chassis

The Buick Encore GX may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 900 to 1100 pounds less than the Cadillac XT5.

The Encore GX is 1 foot, 6.4 inches shorter than the XT5, making the Encore GX easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

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 XT5 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Encore GX AWD is quieter than the XT5 AWD:

	Encore GX	XT5
Full-Throttle	73 dB	77 dB
70 MPH Cruising	67 dB	68 dB

Passenger Space

The front step up height for the Encore GX is 1 inches lower than the XT5 (17.5” vs. 18.5”). The Encore GX’s rear step up height is 2 inches lower than the XT5’s (18” vs. 20”).

Towing

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 XT5 can’t be towed flat on the ground.

Servicing Ease

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Buick service is better than Cadillac. J.D. Power ranks Buick third in service department satisfaction. With a 4% lower rating, Cadillac is ranked fifth.

Ergonomics

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 XT5 doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its OnStar® can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Encore GX’s available headlights were rated “Acceptable” by the IIHS, while the XT5’s headlights are rated “Marginal.”

The Encore GX Avenir has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The XT5 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

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 $445 less than the XT5 over a five-year period.

The Encore GX will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Encore GX will retain 55.77% to 56.53% of its original price after five years, while the XT5 only retains 46.63% to 47.63%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Buick Encore GX will be $19464 to $23523 less than for the Cadillac XT5.

Recommendations

The Buick Encore GX outsold the Cadillac XT5 by over two to one during 2023.

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