Which is more your style, the 2023 Buick Encore GX or the Chevy Trailblazer? With so much in common, choosing between these popular subcompact crossover SUVs is often a matter of taste. However, there are some important differences between them! In our buying guide, we’ll help you choose the best model to suit your priorities.
Key Takeaways
- The 2023 Trailblazer (starting at $22,100) can save you a little bit of money compared to the 2023 Encore GX (starting at $25,900).
- The Encore GX gives you a swankier ride, with more standard features and uptown style.
- With the same engine options, both the Encore GX and the Trailblazer deliver a great balance of power and efficiency.
- If you’re after a more luxurious look, choose the Encore GX. On the other hand, if you prefer a sportier style, the Trailblazer might look better in your driveway.
Lowest Price: 2023 Chevy Trailblazer
The 2023 Chevy Trailblazer is the cheaper option, with an MSRP of $22,100. However, the increasingly stylish 2023 Buick Encore GX, starting at $25,900, isn’t too much more expensive.
Standard Luxury: 2023 Buick Encore GX
With a standard leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated exterior mirrors, and active noise cancellation, the base Encore GX offers a swankier experience than the base Trailblazer. The Encore GX also comes with a slightly bigger (8 inches to the Trailblazer’s 7 inches) touchscreen infotainment interface. When you move up the Encore GX trim levels (Preferred, Select, and Essence), you can create an even more luxurious cabin, thanks to available features like dual-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, and a Bose premium sound system.
The Trailblazer comes standard with the basics (like a Wi-Fi hotspot) and driver safety aids (including forward collision mitigation). Although the base Trailblazer isn’t as fancy as its Encore GX counterpart, you can climb the trim levels (LS, LT, Activ, and RS) for more luxury. Upgrades include faux-leather upholstery and a panoramic sunroof.
Best Around-Town Performance: It’s a Tie!
Since they share a parent company, GM, these extra-small crossovers also share powertrain options:
- Standard turbo 1.2L three-cylinder engine (137 hp, 162 lb-ft) with continuously variable transmission and front-wheel drive
- Optional turbo 1.3L three-cylinder engine (155 hp, 174 lb-ft) with nine-speed automatic and front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive
For the Encore GX, only the top-trim Essence comes with the turbocharged 1.3-liter three-cylinder engine, boosting speed and making all-wheel drive available to you. The Trailblazer’s Activ and RS trim models also come with this engine upgrade, and they’re also the only Trailblazers to offer all-wheel drive.
Uptown Style: 2023 Buick Encore GX
They might have some hardware in common, but the Encore GX and Trailblazer have completely different styles, inside and out. The 2023 Encore GX is a classy cruiser, with smooth lines and uptown design. If your vibe is a little sportier, however, you may prefer the Chevy Trailblazer. It looks increasingly rugged, with its chiseled frontend and blockier lines.
Your Small SUV
In the end, we prefer the upscale 2023 Buick Encore GX. Not only does it offer swankier options, but the Encore GX even comes standard with a more impressive lineup of features. It doesn’t cost much more than the Trailblazer, either, giving you much more bang for your buck!