Compare the2026 Buick Encore GXVS 2026 Chevrolet Equinox

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 Chevrolet Equinox doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

The Buick Encore GX has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Equinox doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Both the Encore GX and the Equinox have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, 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.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Encore GX first among small suvs in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The Equinox isn’t in the top three in its category.

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 Chevrolet vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Buick second in reliability, above the industry average. With 26 more problems per 100 vehicles, Chevrolet is ranked fifth.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Buick vehicles are more reliable than Chevrolet vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Buick 5 places higher in reliability than Chevrolet.

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

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

Regenerative brakes improve the Encore GX’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Equinox doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The Encore GX stops shorter than the Equinox:

For better traction, the Encore GX’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Equinox (245/45R19 vs. 235/65R17).

The Encore GX’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Equinox LT/ACTIV’s standard 65 series tires. The Encore GX’s optional tires have a lower 45 series profile than the Equinox RS’ optional 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Encore GX has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Equinox LT/ACTIV.

The Encore GX has variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Equinox doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The Encore GX AWD handles at .81 G’s, while the Equinox RS AWD pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Encore GX AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Equinox RS AWD (27.8 seconds @ .6 average G’s vs. 28.6 seconds @ .56 average G’s).

The Buick Encore GX may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 350 to 400 pounds less than the Chevrolet Equinox.

The Encore GX is 12 inches shorter than the Equinox, making the Encore GX easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Encore GX’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Equinox’s (1000 vs. 800 pounds).

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 Equinox can’t be towed flat on the ground.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Buick service is better than Chevrolet. J.D. Power ranks Buick 9th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 3% lower rating, Chevrolet is ranked 13th.

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 Equinox doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its OnStar® 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 Avenir’s standard rear view mirror has an automatic dimming feature. This mirror can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on it, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Equinox doesn’t offer the luxury of an automatic dimming rear view mirror.

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 Equinox doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

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