Compare the2026 Buick Encore GXVS 2025 BMW X4

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Buick Encore GX are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW X4 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Encore GX are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The X4 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Buick Encore GX offers an optional HD Surround Vision and it also offers an optional rear camera washer to make backing always safe, regardless of road dirt or grime, while the BMW X4 doesn’t offer a camera washer, requiring manual cleaning.

Both the Encore GX and the X4 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

Buick’s powertrain warranty covers the Encore GX 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than BMW covers the X4. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the X4 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are almost 3 times as many Buick dealers as there are BMW dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Encore GX’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Encore GX first among small suvs in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The X4 was rated third in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Buick vehicles are better in initial quality than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Buick above average in initial quality. With 13 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Buick vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Buick second in reliability, above the industry average. With 46 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is ranked 9th.

On the EPA test cycle the Encore GX gets better mileage than the X4:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Buick Encore GX uses regular unleaded gasoline. The X4 requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Encore GX has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The X4 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Buick Encore GX higher (6 out of 10) than the BMW X4 (4 to 6). This means the Encore GX produces up to 12.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the X4 every 15,000 miles.

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Buick Encore GX 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder AWD, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the X4.

The Encore GX has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The X4 doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Encore GX has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The X4 doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For better maneuverability, the Encore GX’s turning circle is 2.8 feet tighter than the X4’s (36.9 feet vs. 39.7 feet).

The Buick Encore GX may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1150 pounds less than the BMW X4.

The Encore GX is 1 foot, 4.4 inches shorter than the X4, making the Encore GX easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Encore GX uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The X4 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Encore GX has .2 inches more front headroom, .2 inches more front legroom, .9 inches more rear headroom and .5 inches more rear legroom than the X4.

The Encore GX has a much larger cargo volume than the X4 with its rear seat up (23.5 vs. 18.5 cubic feet).

The Encore GX AWD can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Encore GX can be unhitched and driven around locally. The X4 can’t be towed flat on the ground.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Buick service is better than BMW. J.D. Power ranks Buick 9th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 2% lower rating, BMW is ranked 10th.

The Encore GX Avenir’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The X4 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Encore GX’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 X4 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Encore GX’s available exterior PIN entry system. The X4 doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its BMW Assist can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

The Encore GX’s standard Keyless Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, unlock the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Comfort Go standard on the X4 only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Encore GX has a standard rear wiper. The X4 doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

The Encore GX Avenir has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The X4 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Encore GX is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The X4 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Buick Encore GX, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Buick Encore GX outsold the BMW X4 by almost six to one during 2024.