Chevy Trax vs. Buick Encore

If you’re shopping for a compact SUV, you’ll likely find yourself contemplating the 2020 Chevrolet Trax and 2020 Buick Encore. These two crossovers are similar in many ways, from seating capacity to engine power. However, they also have significant differences that make them more or less attractive to different SUV buyers. Check out this detailed comparison between the 2020 Chevy Trax and 2020 Buick Encore to determine which of them suits you better.

Trim Levels and Prices

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The 2020 Chevrolet Trax comes in three trim levels: the base LS, the mid-range LT, and the range-topping Premier. The LS has an MSRP of $21,300, while the LT’s MSRP is $23,200 after adding deluxe cloth upholstery, remote start, cruise control, and roof rails. With an MSRP of $27,600, the Premier features leatherette upholstery, a power sunroof, larger wheels, and several additional driver-assistance technologies.

The 2020 Buick Encore, on the other hand, is offered in four trims: 1SV, Preferred, Sport Touring, and the top-of-the-line Essence. The entry-level 1SV has an MSRP of $23,200, whereas the Preferred comes with a starting MSRP of $24,600, which includes floor mats, a rear cargo cover, and access to a variety of packages and options.

With a minimum MSRP of $25,800, the Sport Touring gains a remote-start system and options such as navigation, HD radio, and a seven-speaker sound system. The Essence has an MSRP of $29,300, but it adds many standard features like leather-appointed seats, heated front seats, a six-way power front-passenger seat, a heated steering wheel, dual-zone automatic climate control, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.

Power

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Both the Chevy Trax and Buick Encore offer only one engine option: a 1.4-liter turbo-four-cylinder engine that produces 138 horsepower and pairs with a six-speed automatic transmission. Also, the two SUVs come standard with front-wheel drive. All-wheel drive is available on every Trax model and the Encore’s top three trims.

Fuel Efficiency

When it comes to fuel economy, the 2020 Chevy Trax is slightly better than its rival. It gives you 26/31 mpg (city/highway) with front-wheel drive and 24/29 mpg with all-wheel drive. The 2020 Buick Encore, on the other hand, manages 25/30 mpg with front-wheel drive and 24/29 mpg with all-wheel drive.

Handling

Both the Chevrolet Trax and Buick Encore are excellent vehicles for city driving because their compact size and light steering enable them to negotiate tight quarters with ease. However, the Trax delivers slightly better maneuverability thanks to its smaller turning radius. Both crossovers show good agility and composure along curvy roads, making them great vehicles to drive in the countryside.

The two lower trim levels of the Chevy Trax ride on 16-inch wheels, whereas the Premier has 18-inch wheels. The Buick Encore may provide better traction in adverse weather conditions because all of its models are equipped with 18-inch wheels. Nonetheless, the Trax compensates for its overall smaller wheel size by making all-wheel drive available on all trims.

Interior

The Chevrolet Trax and Buick Encore are both five-passenger SUVs. They offer adequate legroom and headroom for adults in both rows. The Trax comes standard with cloth upholstery and a four-way manually adjustable driver’s seat, but you can get optional features such as deluxe cloth upholstery, cloth-and-leather upholstery, synthetic leather upholstery, a six-way power driver’s seat, and heated front seats. The Encore, on the other hand, offers cloth upholstery and a six-way power driver’s seat as standard features and upgrades such as leather upholstery, heated front seats, a six-way power front-passenger seat, and a heated steering wheel.

Cargo Space

Whether you choose the Chevy Trax or Buick Encore, you’ll get about the same amount of cargo space. The Trax gives you 18.7 cubic feet of storage space behind the rear seats and 48.4 cubic feet behind the front seats. The Encore differs from its rival only in that it offers 0.1 cubic foot more storage space behind the back seats.

Tech Features

The 2020 Chevrolet Trax and 2020 Buick Encore not only provide a comfortable ride, but they also come with an array of tech features to keep you connected and entertained. All Chevy Trax models are fitted with the straightforward and easy-to-use Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system, a 7-inch touch-screen display, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a Wi-Fi hot spot, Bluetooth, two USB ports, and a six-speaker audio system. If you want a better experience, you can get the available satellite radio and seven-speaker Bose premium audio system.

The Buick Encore comes standard with a user-friendly infotainment system, an 8-inch touch-screen display, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, satellite radio, a Wi-Fi hot spot, two USB ports, and a six-speaker sound system. Optional features include navigation and a seven-speaker Bose audio system.

Safety

When it comes to safety, both the Chevy Trax and Buick Encore don’t disappoint. The Trax features standard safety equipment such as four-wheel anti-lock brakes, StabiliTrak electronic stability control, traction control, a tire-pressure monitoring system, daytime running lights, 10 air bags, a rearview camera, and Chevrolet Connected and OnStar Services. If you want to further improve your safety, opt for available driver-assistance features such as forward-collision alert, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure alert, rear cross-traffic warning, and rear parking sensors.

The Buick Encore has the same standard safety features as the Chevy Trax, except that it has LED daytime running lights and Buick Connected Services. In addition, it comes with optional features such as rain-sensing windshield wipers, forward-collision alert, lane-departure alert, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic warning, and front and rear parking sensors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration awarded both the Chevrolet Trax and Buick Encore an overall crash safety rating of five stars, which is the highest achievable rating. Both crossovers earned four stars in the rollover test and five stars in the front and side crash tests.

Despite being significantly more affordable, the 2020 Chevrolet Trax is able to stand toe to toe with the 2020 Buick Encore in almost every department. If you want to know if the Chevy Trax is the right SUV for you, don’t hesitate to contact Stan McNabb Chevrolet Columbia to schedule a test drive.