Starting at
Starting at
2 | Available Engines | 1 |
138-153 HP | Horsepower | 138 HP |
148-153 lb-ft | Torque | 148 lb-ft |
27/33 MPG | Max Fuel Efficiency | 26/31 MPG |
Drivers are becoming increasingly interested in vehicles that offer versatility in as compact a size as possible. Consequently, the subcompact SUV class has grown substantially offer the past few years and has been greeted with positive responses from consumers. Two vehicles that are incredibly popular in this class are the 2019 Buick Encore vs 2019 Chevy Trax. Both vehicles offer the versatility, efficiency, and compact size that drivers are looking for, but which vehicle is the better choice for you?
The 2019 Buick Encore is one of the top-rated vehicles in the subcompact SUV class. It offers an incredible standard entertainment suite, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Encore is even one of the more powerful vehicles in its class, offering up to 153 hp on its Sport Touring and Essence trim levels. In terms of efficiency, the Encore produces up to 27 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway. The 2019 Buick Encore also offers one of the highest reliability ratings from J.D. Power, as well as one of the best warranty options in its class. Overall, the new Encore is a strong contender in the subcompact SUV class.
The 2019 Chevy Trax is also an excellent selection from the subcompact SUV class. It is the more affordable vehicle compared to the Encore, however, the Encore has it beat in power, efficiency, and standard entertainment technology. The 2019 Chevy Trax also falls short in terms of reliability ratings and warranty options, but overall its features are above average for its class. For example, the 2019 Chevy Trax offers a 7-inch touchscreen display, as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard entertainment features. The Trax also comes standard with a rearview camera and received a 5-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.
While the 2019 Buick Encore may have the 2019 Chevy Trax beat in nearly every category but the Trax is by no means a weak competitor. Both vehicles offer top-of-the-line performance and features in their class, however, the Encore has the edge. Before you decide on either of these impressive vehicles, it is important to take a closer look at how they compare in terms of power, entertainment, and safety.
In the category of performance, the 2019 Buick Encore and 2019 Chevy Trax are close competitors. As you will discover, the Encore is more powerful and more efficient than the Trax, making it the clear winner in this segment of the comparison.
The 2019 Buick Encore comes standard with a 1.4L 4-cylinder engine, which produces up to 138 hp. Drivers investing in the Sport Touring and Essence trim levels can experience a more powerful version of this engine which increases its horsepower to 153. No matter which version of the 1.4L 4-cylinder you choose, it is paired with a 6-speed automatic engine. The 2019 Buick Encore is capable of earning up to 27 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway when equipped with its standard engine in front-wheel-drive. Drivers can opt for an all-wheel-drive model but the efficiency will drop slightly. Overall, the 2019 Buick Encore offers a high level of performance in the subcompact SUV class and is praised for its smooth and responsiveness ride compared to its other contenders.
The 2019 Chevy Trax also offers a 1.4L 4-cylinder engine, however, it offers a maximum horsepower of only 138. Drivers and critics note that the Trax is quiet, but has a hard time accelerating, especially when full of passengers and cargo. The 2019 Chevy Trax is an efficient SUV with up to 26 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway, yet these numbers can’t quite compete with the 2019 Buick Encore. Drivers interested in the Trax can enjoy the standard front-wheel-drive configuration or opt for the available all-wheel-drive. While the 2019 Chevy Trax offers above average performance in the subcompact SUV class, it is simply not as powerful or efficient as the 2019 Buick Encore.
In terms of entertainment, the 2019 Buick Encore and 2019 Chevy Trax offer excellent standard features. In fact, both of these entertainment suites are so generous and advanced that they perform at the top of the subcompact class. But, the Encore offers a more advanced suite and a nicer interior to display it.
The 2019 Buick Encore offers a premium entertainment suite that is packed with included features like an 8-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth, a 4G LTE hotspot, dual USB ports, satellite radio, and a 6-speaker sound system. If this isn’t enough, the Encore also comes standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and offers plenty of available entertainment features. These include navigation, as well as an enhanced Bose premium sound system. Buick’s Intellilink Infotainment System is also one of the top-rated infotainment systems available on the market and has been praised for its user-friendly and intuitive interface. Accentuating the modern and advanced entertainment suite is an incredibly luxurious interior, featuring soft to the touch materials, sleek styling, and a comfortable and roomy cabin. Overall, the 2019 Buick Encore has the technology and comfort to keep drivers and passengers happily entertained at all times.
The 2019 Chevy Trax also offers quite a long list of standard entertainment technology, including a 7-inch touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 6-speaker sound system, and two USB ports. Unlike the 2019 Buick Encore, it lacks satellite radio as a standard feature. It’s available entertainment features include satellite radio and a 7-speaker Bose sound system. Drivers will also notice that compared to the Encore, the interior of the Chevy seems to lack high-quality materials and is instead replaced by cheap, hard plastics. Of course, the 2019 Chevy Trax is slightly less expensive than the 2019 Buick Encore, but still, many drivers and critics note that paying the small additional cost is well worth it to experience one of the best cabins in the subcompact class.
When comparing the safety of the 2019 Buick Encore vs 2019 Chevy Trax, it is clear that both vehicles are excellent selections in the subcompact SUV class. They offer plenty of standard and available safety features and both performed well during crash test ratings. However, the 2019 Buick Encore takes the edge with a higher-reliability rating and a more comprehensive warranty.
The 2019 Buick Encore comes standard with a rearview camera and offers a long list of available features, including blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, front and rear parking sensors, and rear cross traffic alert. The Buick Encore has a high-reliability rating of 4.5 out of 5 from J.D. Power and offers drivers a 4-year/50,000-mile warranty, as well as a 6-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty. Both the reliability score and warranty coverage is better than nearly every single SUV in the subcompact class and helps make the Encore a safe and reliable purchase.
The 2019 Chevy Trax also offers a standard rearview camera, as well as plenty of available driver assist features including rear parking sensors, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and rear cross traffic alert. The 2019 Chevy Trax only scored a 3 out of 5 when it came to its reliability with J.D. Power and offers less coverage than the Encore with a 3-year/36,000-mile warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. If you’re looking for a safe and reliable vehicle that is covered for the long-run, you’ll want to choose the 2019 Buick Encore over the 2019 Chevy Trax.