2025 Mazda CX-30 vs 2026 Buick Encore GX
Comparison Overview
The 2025 Mazda CX-30 is the choice for the driver who demands engagement, boasting a spirited 191 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque, making its 6-speed automatic feel wonderfully connected to the road. Contrast this with the practical stature of the 2026 Buick Encore GX, which prioritizes utility with a larger 23.5 cu ft of cargo space versus the Mazda’s 20.2 cu ft. While the CX-30 offers superior power, the Encore GX squeezes out a slight fuel economy edge, achieving 30 combined MPG, although it lags significantly in power output with only 137 hp. The CX-30 undercuts the Buick on price starting at $25,195 compared to the Encore GX’s $25,900, making the Mazda an intriguing proposition for driving enthusiasts on a budget, even with its smaller 173.0-inch footprint compared to the taller, FWD-biased Buick.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2026 Buick Encore GX
The 2026 Buick Encore GX edges out the CX-30 with slightly better fuel economy at 30 combined MPG and greater maneuverability due to its smaller length and standard FWD setup.
2026 Buick Encore GX
The Encore GX offers superior practicality for families thanks to its larger 23.5 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the CX-30's 20.2 cu ft.
2025 Mazda CX-30
The 2025 Mazda CX-30 delivers a significantly more engaging drive with 191 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque versus the Buick's lower output.
2025 Mazda CX-30
The Mazda CX-30 offers 54 more horsepower for a lower starting MSRP of $25,195 against the Buick's $25,900.
Choose the Mazda CX-30 if...
- You prioritize an exciting power delivery, thanks to its 191 hp engine.
- You prefer the certainty of a traditional 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission.
- You want the security of standard All-Wheel Drive paired with robust torque (186 lb-ft).
Choose the Buick Encore GX if...
- Maximum cargo hauling is essential, with 23.5 cu ft available.
- You primarily drive in conditions benefiting from FWD efficiency and require E85 compatibility.
- You prefer a slightly taller ride height (64.1 inches) for better visibility.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Mazda CX-30 | Buick Encore GX |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 173.0" | 171.2" |
| Width | 70.7" | 71.4" |
| Height | 61.7" | 64.1" |
| Wheelbase | 104.4" | 102.0" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Mazda | Buick |
|---|---|---|
| Blind Spot Monitor | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Departure Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Attention Alert | ✓ | — |
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Brake Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | ✓ | ✓ |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Headrests | 3 | 2 |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Mazda | Buick |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.5 L | 1.2 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | inline 3 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 191 hp @ 6000 rpm | 137 hp @ 5000 rpm |
| Torque | 186 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm | 162 lb-ft @ 2500 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 16 | 12 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cylinder Deactivation | ✓ | — |
Drive Train
| Feature | Mazda | Buick |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 6-speed shiftable automatic | continuously variable-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | all wheel drive | front wheel drive |
Fuel
| Feature | Mazda | Buick |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | flex-fuel (unleaded/E85) |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 26/33 MPG | 30/31 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 29 MPG | 30 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 330.2/419.1 mi. | 396.0/409.2 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 12.7 gal. | 13.2 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Mazda | Buick |
|---|---|---|
| Push Button Start | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Power Steering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear View Camera | ✓ | ✓ |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ✓ | — |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Single Zone Climate Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | — | ✓ |
| Front Seatback Storage | — | ✓ |
| Leatherette Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | — | ✓ |
| Interior Air Filtration | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Mazda | Buick |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 8.8 in | 11.0 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 6 | 6 |
| Android Auto (Wired) | ✓ | — |
| Apple CarPlay (Wired) | ✓ | — |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
| Auxiliary Audio Input | — | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | — | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | — | 3 months |
| Speed Sensitive Volume Control | — | ✓ |
Power Feature
| Feature | Mazda | Buick |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 4 | 4 |
| Remote Keyless Entry | ✓ | — |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Keyless Entry | — | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Mazda | Buick |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 38.1 in. | 39.7 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 41.7 in. | 40.9 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 55.6 in. | 55.4 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 54.6 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 | Mazda | Buick |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 38.3 in. | 38.1 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 36.3 in. | 36.0 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 53.6 in. | 53.6 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 53.2 in. | 50.7 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | ✓ | — |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Mazda | Buick |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | Painted Alloy |
| Wheel Size | 16 x 6.5 in | 18 x 7.5 in |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 215/65R16 | 225/55R18 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | — |
| Spare Tire Location | Inside Mounted | — |
Suspension
| Feature | Mazda | Buick |
|---|---|---|
| Front Suspension Type | Independent | Independent |
| Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Mazda | Buick |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. | 6 yr./ 100000 mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | — | 1 yr./ unlimited mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Mazda CX-30 and 2026 Buick Encore GX.
How significant is the performance gap between the CX-30 and the Encore GX?
The difference is substantial; the 2025 Mazda CX-30 produces 191 hp, which is 54 hp more than the 2026 Buick Encore GX’s 137 hp. This translates to much sharper acceleration and responsiveness in the Mazda.
Which crossover offers more interior space for luggage?
The 2026 Buick Encore GX is the superior choice for cargo, offering 23.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats. The Mazda CX-30 trails slightly, providing 20.2 cubic feet of cargo capacity.
Is the extra cost of the CX-30 justified by its standard drivetrain features?
Yes, the CX-30 starts lower at $25,195 and includes All-Wheel Drive standard, whereas the base Encore GX is $25,900 and is Front Wheel Drive only, meaning the AWD system is included in the Mazda’s lower price.
What are the fuel economy and fuel type differences?
The Encore GX achieves a slight edge in efficiency with 30 combined MPG and can run on E85 flex-fuel, while the CX-30 gets 29 combined MPG and requires regular unleaded fuel.
How do the transmissions compare in driving feel?
Enthusiasts will prefer the Mazda’s 6-speed shiftable automatic, which offers more traditional gear changes. The Encore GX utilizes a continuously variable transmission (CVT) designed for smooth efficiency.
Which vehicle has a larger footprint, and does it affect handling?
The CX-30 is marginally longer at 173.0 inches, but its lower height (61.7 inches) contributes to a sportier feel. The Encore GX is taller at 64.1 inches, potentially affecting cornering dynamics.
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