2025 Chevrolet Trax vs 2026 Buick Encore GX

$20,500 · Crossover

$25,900 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Choosing between the new Chevy Trax and the Buick Encore GX often boils down to budget versus perceived luxury. You're looking at a significant initial hurdle: the 2025 Trax starts at a much friendlier $20,500, saving you a substantial $5,400 compared to the 2026 Encore GX's $25,900 starting price. Interestingly, for all that extra cost, the Encore GX doesn't offer better power; both vehicles produce an identical 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy is essentially a wash, with both achieving a combined 30 MPG. Where things get tricky is space: the Trax is longer at 178.6 inches, offering slightly more utility with 25.6 cubic feet of cargo room, while the Encore GX is taller at 64.1 inches but offers 23.5 cubic feet. Ultimately, the Trax presents a compelling entry point for practicality.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Chevrolet Trax

The Trax wins for commuters due to its lower MSRP of $20,500, making the daily drive more affordable overall.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Chevrolet Trax

The 2025 Trax offers more usable space with 25.6 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Encore GX's 23.5 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Buick Encore GX

The Encore GX may appeal slightly more to enthusiasts because its Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) often aims for a smoother, more refined on-road feel than the Trax's 6-speed automatic.

💰 Best Value

2025 Chevrolet Trax

The Trax provides the exact same 137 horsepower and 30 combined MPG for $5,400 less than the Encore GX.

Choose the Chevrolet Trax if...

You need the absolute lowest entry price, as the Trax starts at just $20,500.
Maximum cargo space is critical, with the Trax offering 25.6 cubic feet versus 23.5.
You prefer a traditional 6-speed automatic transmission over a CVT for shifting feel.

Choose the Buick Encore GX if...

You are willing to pay the $5,400 premium for the Buick badge and its slightly taller profile (64.1 inches).
You utilize E85 fuel, as the Encore GX supports flex-fuel capability while the Trax does not.
You want slightly better highway-to-city balance in MPG (30 City/31 Highway vs. Trax's 28/32).

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Chevrolet Trax	Buick Encore GX
Length	178.6"	171.2"
Width	71.8"	71.4"
Height	61.4"	64.1"
Wheelbase	106.0"	102.0"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Chevrolet	Buick
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	2	2
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Blind Spot Monitor	—	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	—	✓
Brake Assist	—	✓
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Chevrolet	Buick
Base Engine Displacement	1.2 L	1.2 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 3	inline 3
Base Engine Type	flex-fuel (FFV)	gas
Horsepower	137 hp @ 5000 rpm	137 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque	162 lb-ft @ 2500 rpm	162 lb-ft @ 2500 rpm
Number of Valves	12	12
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Chevrolet	Buick
Transmission Type	6-speed shiftable automatic	continuously variable-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	front wheel drive

Fuel

Feature	Chevrolet	Buick
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	flex-fuel (unleaded/E85)
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	28/32 MPG	30/31 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	30 MPG	30 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	369.6/422.4 mi.	396.0/409.2 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	13.2 gal.	13.2 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Chevrolet	Buick
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Cruise Control	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Single Zone Climate Control	✓	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	✓
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Push Button Start	—	✓
Rear Cupholders	—	✓
Front Seatback Storage	—	✓
Leatherette Steering Wheel	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Chevrolet	Buick
Infotainment Display	8.0 in	11.0 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	4	6
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
Auxiliary Audio Input	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	3 months	3 months
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	✓	✓

Power Feature

Feature	Chevrolet	Buick
One-Touch Power Windows	4	4
Remote Keyless Entry	✓	—
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
Keyless Entry	—	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Chevrolet	Buick
Front Head Room	39.6 in.	39.7 in.
Front Leg Room	41.9 in.	40.9 in.
Front Shoulder Room	55.7 in.	55.4 in.
Front Hip Room	52.1 in.	51.9 in.
Seat Material: Cloth	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	6-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	4-way	4-way
Seat Material: Leatherette/Cloth	—	✓

Rearseats

Feature	Chevrolet	Buick
Rear Head Room	38.1 in.	38.1 in.
Rear Leg Room	38.7 in.	36.0 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	54.3 in.	53.6 in.
Rear Hip Room	45.8 in.	50.7 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Chevrolet	Buick
Wheel Finish	Painted Steel	Painted Alloy
Wheel Cover Type	Full	—
Wheel Diameter	17 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	225/60R17	225/55R18
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	—
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	—
Wheel Size	—	18 x 7.5 in

Suspension

Feature	Chevrolet	Buick
Front Suspension Type	Independent	Independent
Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓

Warranty

Feature	Chevrolet	Buick
Basic Warranty	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	6 yr./ 100000 mi.	6 yr./ 100000 mi.
Roadside Assistance	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	1 yr./ unlimited mi.	1 yr./ unlimited mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Chevrolet Trax and 2026 Buick Encore GX.

Is the power difference between the 2025 Trax and 2026 Encore GX noticeable?

No, based on the provided data, both crossovers produce an identical 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque, meaning real-world acceleration should feel virtually the same.

How much more space do I actually get with the Chevrolet Trax?

The Trax provides 25.6 cubic feet of cargo space, which is 2.1 cubic feet more than the 23.5 cubic feet offered in the Buick Encore GX.

Which vehicle is better for highway cruising based on fuel economy?

They are extremely close, but the Trax technically wins the highway rating at 32 MPG compared to the Encore GX's 31 MPG, while both share a 30 MPG combined rating.

Why is the 2026 Buick Encore GX significantly more expensive than the 2025 Trax?

The Encore GX commands a $5,400 premium, starting at $25,900. This price difference generally covers enhanced interior materials, Buick-specific styling, and potentially extra standard comfort features not listed here.