Compare the2025 Chevrolet TraxVS 2025 Buick Encore GX

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Chevrolet Trax achieved a “Acceptable” rating - the second highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Buick Encore GX has not been tested.

Both the Trax and the Encore GX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

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

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 Chevrolet Trax is safer than the Buick Encore GX:

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 Trax is 2.4% to 3% less likely to roll over than the Encore GX.

There are over 3 times as many Chevrolet dealers as there are Buick dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Trax’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are better in initial quality than Buick vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 4 more problems per 100 vehicles, Buick is ranked fifth.

As tested in Motor Trend the Chevrolet Trax is faster than the Buick Encore GX 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder:

The Trax stops shorter than the Encore GX:

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Trax’s wheelbase is 4.3 inches longer than on the Encore GX (106.3 inches vs. 102 inches).

The Trax ACTIV handles at .84 G’s, while the Encore GX Avenir AWD pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Trax ACTIV executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Encore GX Sport Touring AWD (27.5 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 28.1 seconds @ .6 average G’s).

The Trax has 3.7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Encore GX (98 vs. 94.3).

The Trax has 1 inch more front legroom, .2 inches more front hip room, .3 inches more front shoulder room, 2.7 inches more rear legroom and .7 inches more rear shoulder room than the Encore GX.

The Trax has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Encore GX with its rear seat up (25.6 vs. 23.5 cubic feet). The Trax has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Encore GX with its rear seat folded (54.1 vs. 50.2 cubic feet).

All models of the Trax can be flat towed on all four wheels, allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Trax can be unhitched and driven around locally. Only the Encore GX AWD can be dinghy towed.

Motor Trend performed a comparison test in its January 2024 issue and they ranked the Chevrolet Trax ACTIV higher than the Buick Encore GX Sport Touring AWD.

The Trax was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2025 and 2024. The Encore GX has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.

The Chevrolet Trax outsold the Buick Encore GX by over three to one during 2024.