Compare the2025 Audi Q3VS 2025 Buick Encore GX

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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The Q3’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Encore GX doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

Both the Q3 and Encore GX have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The Q3 has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The Encore GX’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

The Q3 has a standard Secondary Collision Brake Assist, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Encore GX doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Q3. But it costs extra on the Encore GX.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Q3’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The Encore GX doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

Both the Q3 and Encore GX have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Q3 has Automatic Brake Activation (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Encore GX’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Q3 and the Encore GX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

The Audi Q3 weighs 647 to 890 pounds more than the Buick Encore GX. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Audi Q3 is safer than the Buick Encore GX:

	Q3	Encore GX
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	346	401
Leg Forces (l/r)	261/249 lbs.	409/383 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 Audi Q3 is safer than the Buick Encore GX:

	Q3	Encore GX
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	88	91
Chest Movement	.7 inches	1.1 inches
Abdominal Force	95 lbs.	199 lbs.
Hip Force	333 lbs.	459 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	159	185
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	13 inches	13 inches
Hip Force	485 lbs.	591 lbs.

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

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Q3 is 1.5% to 2.1% less likely to roll over than the Encore GX.

Warranty

The Q3 comes with a full 4-year/50,000-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 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The Q3’s corrosion warranty is 6 years and unlimited miles longer than the Encore GX’s (12/unlimited vs. 6/100,000).

Reliability

The Audi Q3’s engines use a cast iron block for durability, while the Encore GX’s engines use an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the Q3’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.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Q3 has a standard 140-amp alternator. The Encore GX’s 130-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Q3 second among small premium suvs in their 2024 Initial Quality Study. The Encore GX isn’t in the top three in its category.

Engine

The Q3 40 TFSI’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 47 more horsepower (184 vs. 137) and 59 lbs.-ft. more torque (221 vs. 162) than the Encore GX’s standard 1.2 turbo 3-cylinder. The Q3 40 TFSI’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 29 more horsepower (184 vs. 155) and 47 lbs.-ft. more torque (221 vs. 174) than the Encore GX’s optional 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder. The Q3 45 TFSI’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 73 more horsepower (228 vs. 155) and 77 lbs.-ft. more torque (251 vs. 174) than the Encore GX’s optional 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Q3 45 TFSI is faster than the Buick Encore GX 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder:

	Q3	Encore GX
Zero to 60 MPH	7.4 sec	9.3 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	19.3 sec	31.2 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	8.3 sec	10.1 sec
Quarter Mile	15.7 sec	17 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	91 MPH	80 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

The Q3 has 2.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Encore GX (15.9 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Q3 has a standard locking fuel door which locks and unlocks with the power locks. 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.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Q3’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Encore GX:

	Q3	Encore GX
Front Rotors	13.4 inches	11.81 inches
Rear Rotors	11.8 inches	10.39 inches
Opt Rear Rotors	12.2 inches

The Q3’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Encore GX are solid, not vented.

The Q3 stops much shorter than the Encore GX:

	Q3	Encore GX
70 to 0 MPH	160 feet	176 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	135 feet	138 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Q3 has larger standard tires than the Encore GX (235/55R18 vs. 225/55R18). The Q3’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Encore GX (255/45R19 vs. 245/45R19).

The Q3’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’s optional 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Q3 offers optional 20-inch wheels. The Encore GX’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Audi Q3 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 Q3 has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Q3 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 Q3’s wheelbase is 3.5 inches longer than on the Encore GX (105.5 inches vs. 102 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Q3 is 1.3 inches wider in the front and .6 inches wider in the rear than on the Encore GX.

The Q3 handles at .91 G’s, while the Encore GX Avenir AWD pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

Passenger Space

The Q3 has 1.3 inches more front shoulder room, .1 inches more rear legroom and 1.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the Encore GX.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Q3’s rear seats recline. The Encore GX’s rear seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Q3 easier. The Q3’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 27.8 inches, while the Encore GX’s liftover is 30.5 inches.

The Q3’s cargo area is larger than the Encore GX’s in almost every dimension:

	Q3	Encore GX
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	34”/65”	31.8”/60.8”
Max Width	54”	53”
Min Width	39”	40.7”
Height	28”	32”

A standard locking glovebox keeps your small valuables safer in the Q3. The Encore GX doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Towing

The Q3’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Encore GX’s (1500 vs. 1000 pounds).

Servicing Ease

The Q3 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.

Ergonomics

The Q3’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 Q3 the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Encore GX can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Q3’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.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Q3 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Encore GX doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

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 Q3’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Encore GX’s headlights are rated “Acceptable” to “Marginal.”

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Q3 Premium Plus has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Encore GX doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Q3’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Encore GX offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Both the Audi Q3 and Buick Encore GX offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The Q3 offers optional power folding mirrors, which allow for easy, one-touch folding or unfolding at the driver’s discretion. This provides added convenience when maneuvering or parking, as well as when walking past the parked vehicle. In comparison, the Encore GX’s foldable mirrors are manual, requiring the driver to get out and physically fold them once parked and unfold them before getting in.

The Q3 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 Q3 and the Encore GX offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Q3 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.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Audi Q3, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Buick Encore GX isn't recommended.