Compare the2025 Chevrolet EquinoxVS 2024 Buick Encore GX

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Equinox has standard Reverse Automatic Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Encore GX doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Equinox. But it costs extra on the Encore GX.

The Equinox has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. A system to reveal vehicles in the Encore GX’s blind spot costs extra.

Both the Equinox and Encore GX have Rear Cross Traffic Alert, but the Equinox has Rear Cross Traffic Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Encore GX’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Equinox and the Encore GX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

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

The Equinox FWD’s standard 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 38 more horsepower (175 vs. 137) and 22 lbs.-ft. more torque (184 vs. 162) than the Encore GX’s standard 1.2 turbo 3-cylinder. The Equinox FWD’s 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 20 more horsepower (175 vs. 155) and 10 lbs.-ft. more torque (184 vs. 174) than the Encore GX’s optional 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder. The Equinox AWD’s standard 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 20 more horsepower (175 vs. 155) and 29 lbs.-ft. more torque (203 vs. 174) than the Encore GX’s optional 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder.

The Equinox’s standard fuel tank has 1.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Encore GX (14.8 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Equinox AWD’s standard fuel tank has 2.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Encore GX (15.6 vs. 13.2 gallons).

For better traction, the Equinox has larger tires than the Encore GX (235/65R17 vs. 225/55R18).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Equinox RS offers optional 20-inch wheels. The Encore GX’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

For superior ride and handling, the Chevrolet Equinox has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Buick Encore GX has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Equinox’s wheelbase is 5.3 inches longer than on the Encore GX (107.5 inches vs. 102.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Equinox is 2.7 inches wider in the front and 2 inches wider in the rear than on the Encore GX.

The Equinox has 10 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Encore GX (104.3 vs. 94.3).

The Equinox has .3 inches more front headroom, 2.3 inches more front hip room, 2.3 inches more front shoulder room, 1.1 inches more rear headroom, 3.9 inches more rear legroom, 1 inch more rear hip room and 2.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the Encore GX.

The Equinox has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Encore GX with its rear seat up (29.8 vs. 23.5 cubic feet). The Equinox has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Encore GX with its rear seat folded (63.5 vs. 50.2 cubic feet).

Maximum trailer towing in the Buick Encore GX is limited to 1000 pounds. The Equinox offers up to a 1500 lbs. towing capacity.

The Equinox uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Encore GX uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

The Equinox’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Encore GX does not have an oil pressure gauge.

On a hot day the Equinox’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Encore GX can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Equinox has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the Encore GX. The Equinox ACTIV/RS also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Encore GX.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the Equinox ACTIV/RS keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Encore GX doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Equinox has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the Encore GX.

Both the Equinox and the Encore GX offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Equinox has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Encore GX doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

The Chevrolet Equinox outsold the Buick Encore GX by over three to one during 2023.