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Starting at
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| 30 | Fuel Economy (MPG) | 26 |
| Standard | Wireless Apple CarPlay | No |
| 10-Way Power | Driver's Seat | 8-Way Power |
Don't you wish you could buy two vehicles in one day? Such a way of life isn't feasible for the average driver, which means it pays to do your research and find the best model. Choosing between two vehicles is often tricky because competing brands may have entirely different design philosophies. Sometimes it's hard to fathom that two vehicles in the same segment that target the same type of drivers could be so different from one another. It could be a matter of looks, performance, or even pricing. There's no argument that people prefer saving money, and comparing the 2023 Buick Encore GX vs 2023 Ford Bronco Sport reveals that sometimes, the less expensive model is also the better option.
The Ford Bronco Sport bears the familiar Bronco name, and this model launched the same year the full-size Bronco made its triumphant return. However, some things were in clear need of improvement, and in many ways, Ford has yet to deliver the experience it promised to provide. The Buick Encore GX predates the Bronco Sport by one year, so it's fair to assume both manufacturers had some insight into what their competition was about to throw their way. For anything that Ford's fresh SUV does right, it's held back by a few negatives that make it a more challenging purchase to justify, whereas the Buick Encore GX emphasizes its fantastic value in multiple ways.
No matter what the Bronco Sport achieves, there's one thing that it can't run from: it is considerably more expensive than the Encore GX, and things only get worse when you look further into the list of trims. Speaking of trims, Buick also takes a more consumer-friendly approach and condenses all of its features under the banner of three high-quality trim levels. Three trim levels are an appropriate amount to allow for some personalization in your purchase while not making it difficult or costly to enjoy the features you want. Sure, paying for a pricier trim means you're getting other upgrades in addition to the features you really wanted, but most drivers will understandably want to save money wherever possible, and that's exactly what Buick helps you with should you purchase an Encore GX.
The three trim levels for the Buick Encore GX include the Preferred, Select, and Essence, but the main attraction is the base trim's starting price of only $25,900.[a] The Ford Bronco's six trims take far more study to understand, even before you get to how wide the cost difference is. With the base Ford Bronco, you'll be paying an MSRP of $29,215. Is that increase in price justified? Although there are a few places where the Bronco Sport outperforms the Encore GX, it is actually lacking in a surprising number of areas. There's also an argument to be made that the Encore GX will save you more money in the long run, thanks to fuel-efficient powertrains.
Pricing doesn't scale well in the higher trims, either. The 2023 Encore GX's two following trim levels are the Select and Essence, starting at $27,300 and $30,500.[a] It's easy to remember if you think of the Select as the middle-man between the Preferred and Essence, and it's priced accordingly. The Ford Bronco's second trim is the Big Bend, which starts at $31,230––already more than the highest-tier Encore GX. The Big Bend is followed by the Heritage, which has a starting price of $33,540, and the prices continue to increase until you reach the Heritage Limited at $44,655. That means the priciest Bronco Sport trim is roughly 50% more expensive than the best Encore GX trim.
Both the 2023 Encore GX and 2023 Bronco Sport are built utilizing turbocharged engines, meaning fuel efficiency is one of the main selling points. The Encore GX's engines are smaller than the Bronco Sport. While this does mean less performance in some regards, the 2023 Encore GX is clearly superior in fuel efficiency. Aside from the smaller turbocharged engines attributing to the lower EPA-estimated ratings of the Encore GX, Buick's SUV is also paired with a more efficient Continuously Variable Automatic Transmission (CVT).
CVTs have become so common over the years that there's a high chance you're upgrading from a vehicle that already utilizes a CVT. Drivers who have operated a CVT for long enough regularly agree that switching back to a traditional transmission is jarring and, quite frankly, unenjoyable to drive. However, if you prefer a traditional automatic, Buick's SUV can provide the best of both worlds, as it includes an available nine-speed automatic transmission on all-wheel drive models. The Bronco Sport's engines come with an eight-speed automatic transmission with no option for a CVT.
More importantly, the 2023 Encore GX is more fuel-efficient in every available configuration. The two engines available to Encore GX drivers are a standard 1.2L turbocharged I-3 and an optional 1.3L turbocharged I-3. The Bronco Sport utilizes a 1.5L turbocharged I-3 or a 2.0L turbocharged I-4––the latter is the least fuel-efficient powertrain of the lot. The standard engine in the Buick Encore GX is only available with front-wheel drive, which has the benefit of tremendous fuel economy ratings of 29 MPG in the city and 31 MPG on the highway against the 25 MPG in the city and 28 MPG on the highway for the base Bronco Sport powertrain.
Like the base Bronco Sport engine, the more performant 2.0L turbocharged I-4 is only available with all-wheel drive. The extra performance it gives over the base engine also means its fuel economy ratings suffer even further, coming in at 21 MPG in the city and 26 MPG on the highway. Like the base engine, the 1.3L turbocharged I-3 you can add to your Encore GX comes standard with front-wheel drive, giving Buick's subcompact SUV ratings of 29 MPG in the city and 32 MPG on the highway. However, it can also be combined with all-wheel drive. If that option is chosen, the 2023 Encore GX still earns EPA-estimated ratings of 26 MPG in the city and 29 MPG on the highway.
The 2023 Encore GX and 2023 Bronco Sport both aim to impress with the variety of features they offer. There are some advantages on both ends, but there are also some notable features that are found on both subcompact SUVs. An example of the features that are found on both SUVs is their driver-assist technology, which provides similar functionality but is listed under different names by the two brands.
The 2023 Buick Encore GX and Ford Bronco Sport can both automatically stop the vehicle to avoid collisions with cars and people and can warn you slightly beforehand too. This is known as the Forward Collision Alert, Automatic Emergency Braking, and Front Pedestrian Braking in the Encore GX and is part of the Pre-Collision Assist system in the Bronco Sport. There are numerous other features that are also similar. The Buick safety features are part of Buick's Driver Confidence package that comes equipped with every Encore GX. Ford's safety package that comes with each 2023 Bronco Sport is known as Ford Co-Pilot360. Both packages are great, but you'll get these features with Buick's SUV while saving a considerable amount of money.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard with both SUVs, and both vehicles allow you to access smartphone connectivity and more through an eight-inch infotainment center. However, the Encore GX has wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard on every trim––the 2023 Bronco Sport does not offer this feature, no matter how much money you put down. This is an interesting choice for a vehicle with a starting price that is considerably higher than its competitor, and it's made even stranger when you realize the base-trim Bronco Sport doesn't offer other basic features like a power-adjustable driver's seat––instead, you need to spend even more money to get a higher trim. While a power-adjustable driver's seat doesn't come standard with the Encore GX, it is available for the base trim.
Are you looking for the right dealership? What about the right vehicle? Both? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you should visit us at Rick Hendrick Buick GMC Duluth and allow us to do the heavy lifting and answer all your questions. We're a trustworthy dealership operating in Duluth, GA, and if you live in the greater Atlanta area, then we welcome you to take the short drive in and check out a selection that includes both new and pre-owned Buick and GMC vehicles alongside a bevy of quality used cars from a variety of other popular manufactures. We also help our customers save as much money as possible on maintenance and repairs at our on-site certified service center. Come on down to our dealership and see what a new Buick SUV like the 2023 Encore GX can do for your life.
*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.