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Starting at
Starting at
| 137-155 | Horsepower (HP) | 137-155 |
| 5 Passengers | Seating | 5 Passengers |
| 8-inch | Standard Infotainment Screen Size | 7-inch |
Take a look at the next busy street or crowded parking that you see. What do you notice? Among the sea of vehicles, you’ll probably see that there are a lot of compact crossovers out there. This is because these petite SUVs are ideal for just about anyone. Singles, couples, and even small families can all take advantage of these pint-size SUVs. But how do you know which one is right for your daily driving style? Today, we are pitting two of the best compact crossovers against one another in the battle of the 2020 Buick Encore GX vs 2021 Chevy Trailblazer!
Let’s warm up with a close round. Both vehicles offer seating for up to five people. The 2020 Buick Encore GX has 23.5 cubic feet of space available behind its second row of seats; the 2021 Chevy Trailblazer has a similar 25.3 cubic feet available behind the second row. The Encore GX has a maximum cargo area measured at 50.2 cubic feet. On the other hand, the Trailblazer offers about 54 cubic feet. At this point, the two vehicles are on par with each other, with the size so close, drivers won't notice the difference.
Let’s explore a few other categories to determine which 2020 compact crossover reigns supreme!
The best thing about compact crossovers is that they are sporty and great with gas. You will save a lot more money driving one of these around than you would if you bought a mid-size or full-size SUV. Let’s take a peek under the hood to see what kind of performance you can expect from these two vehicles.
First, the 2020 Buick Encore GX presents you with a choice. Available with one of two powertrains, you get to decide which model is right for your daily driving needs. The standard powertrain uses a turbocharged ECOTEC 1.2-liter 3-cylinder engine, FWD, and a continuously variable transmission (CVT). With this engine, you'll have ratings of up to 137 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque. This powertrain gets about 28 MPG combined (26 city/30 highway). If you are looking for even more power, you can opt for the more powerful turbocharged ECOTEC 1.3-liter 3-cylinder engine that produces 155 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque. This engine can be equipped with either FWD or AWD and either a CVT or 9-speed transmission. When equipped with FWD and this engine, the Encore GX has an estimated fuel economy of 31 MPG combined (30 city/32 highway).
Next, we will look under the hood of the 2021 Chevy Trailblazer. This vehicle is also available with one of two engine choices, the same options that are available on the 2020 Encore GX. The major difference lies in the fuel economy. When the 2021 Chevy Trailblazer is equipped with the 1.3-liter ECOTEC engine and FWD, the estimated fuel economy is 31 MPG (29 city/33 highway). This is roughly the same as the Encore GX, and drivers of either model will not notice a difference.
Still not sure which compact crossover is best for you? Let’s slip behind the wheels of each one to see what’s included on the inside.
The 2020 Buick Encore GX is available in a trio of trim levels. The first is known as the Preferred model. It comes with cruise control, air conditioning, and keyless ignition/entry. The driver’s seat is power-adjustable, the passenger seat has a fold-flat design, and the back seats are 60/40 split-folding for optimized configuration. The advanced infotainment interface is very exciting! Displayed on a large 7-inch touchscreen, it operates with Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE Wifi connection. Anything you can do on your smartphone, you can now do it on the vehicle's interface. This allows you to stay informed, entertained, and connected everywhere you go without ever taking your hands off the wheel. If you need to charge your mobile devices, there are two USB ports provided, and emergency braking has also been included.
Next, we have the Select trim level. Here, you will notice remote start technology that allows you to start the vehicle before ever setting a foot outside your door. This is especially handy during the winter. You won’t have to get inside a freezing car ever again! The seats have a heating feature, and dual-zone climate control has been added to keep you and the front seat passenger comfortable. Added safety features include blindspot monitoring, lane-change alert, and rear cross-traffic alert. Finally, the premium model is known as the Essence. It offers an air ionizer that keeps the interior smelling fresh. Also included are a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a 120-volt power outlet, and leather upholstery.
On the other hand, the 2021 Chevy Trailblazer is available in five trims. While that might seem intriguing, you will notice right off the bat that the lower trims are nowhere near as luxurious as the Encore GX. The Trailblazer base is known as the L. This model comes with a comparable infotainment interface that functions with Android Auto, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and a 4G LTE Wifi hotspot. While the back seats are 60/40 split-folding, the driver’s seat is not power-adjustable. You have to adjust it manually, and the front passenger seat is not a fold-flat design. Standard safety features include Teen Driver Technology, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and emergency braking.
The second trim is the LS and this one adds the fold-flat front passenger seat. Third, we have the LT model, which comes with a few luxury features like remote start technology and heated seats. Next is the sporty ACTIV trim. Most of its notable features are exterior, but it does have faux leather upholstery and genuine leather wrappings on the steering wheel and gear shift knob. Finally, the RS is the cream of the crop. It’s got a racecar vibe to it with the flat-bottom steering wheel, faux leather upholstery, and red stitching.
Once you break down the trims, you will notice that the Trailblazer trims offer little more than cosmetic variations. Meanwhile, the Encore GX offers more advanced, luxury features.
Now it’s time for the finale! If you still haven’t decided which compact crossover is right for you, this may be the deciding round. The outward of a vehicle is very important to many people. Let’s break down all the practical and cosmetic features you’ll get on the 2020 Buick Encore GX vs 2021 Chevy Trailblazer.
Kicking things off with the Encore GX Preferred model, this base version rides on 18-inch aluminum wheels. That’s so much nicer than the alloy wheels you will find on most competitors. Heated side mirrors and automatic headlights have been added as well as rear privacy glass. You can rest assured that no one can peek into the back of your vehicle while you’re away. Next, the Select trim adds handy roof rails for additional storage. You can securely travel with extra luggage or oddly shaped items like kayaks or bicycles on top of the vehicle. Finally, the top-tier Essence trim comes with high-tech LED lighting on the front and rear for enhanced visibility.
Moving on to the Chevy Trailblazer, the L offers 16-inch steel wheels and LED daytime running lights. Next, the LS model comes with the same exterior features as the L, but it has slightly larger 17-inch aluminum wheels as well. The LT adds fog lights and roof rails, and the ACTIV includes LED taillights and numerous domestic changes to the grille, accents, and roof. Lastly, the RS model comes with most of the same features we see on the LT. The main difference is the wheels. The RS rides on 18-inch aluminum wheels in black.
Located near Atlanta, GA, Rick Hendrick Buick GMC Duluth is your go-to dealership for all things Buick and GMC. We have a stellar selection of new and pre-owned vehicles for you to peruse through. Finding the perfect match to suit your lifestyle and budget is our top priority. Our auto experts are here to help you every step of the way. We want this experience to be as stress-free as possible. You can even schedule routine maintenance and repairs right here on our site. Our certified technicians will get you back on the road as soon as possible. What are you waiting for? Call us or stop by to take one of our models out for a spin today!
*Images, fuel economy, and other stats, may reflect higher trim levels, options, or features that may result in a higher cost from the starting MSRP.
MSRP excludes tax, license, registration, additional options, and possible destination charges. Dealers set own prices.