Starting at
Starting at
138 HP | Horsepower | 138 HP |
148 lb-ft | Torque | 148 lb-ft |
26 / 31 MPG | Fuel Efficiency | 25 / 30 MPG |
Nowadays, small families are moving away from the giant, gas-guzzling SUVs and gravitating more toward sporty, compact crossovers that are more fuel-efficient. If you have a family of five and are trying to decide which vehicle will be best for your needs, you should compare the difference between the 2020 Chevy Trax vs 2020 Buick Encore.
Both models can carry five passengers comfortably and offer enough cargo space to get groceries, head to athletic events, or even pack with luggage for a weekend road trip. In fact, the provided cargo space in both vehicles matches up almost perfectly. The Chevy Trax offers 18.7 cubic feet behind the back row, and it has a maximum cargo area of 48.4 cubic feet. The Buick Encore has 18.8 cubic feet of room behind the rear seats, and it also has the exact same maximum cargo area as the Trax. Needless to say, this is going to be a fair fight!
Now let’s get down to the nitty-gritty and compare the performance specs, interior features, and exterior styling elements between both models.
When it comes to SUVs of any size, some of them are available with a few different engine options. This can get confusing at times, especially if you’re simply looking for a vehicle that will meet your needs and not drain your wallet at the fuel pump. To make things easy, the 2020 Chevy Trax is available with only one powertrain. You don’t have to make any decisions here. If you choose the Trax, it will come powered by a turbocharged 1.4-L 4-cylinder engine that generates 138 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque. However, you can choose the drivetrain since it is offered with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Mated with a 6-speed automatic transmission, the Trax has an estimated fuel economy set at 28 mpg combined (26 city/31 highway). It can also haul up to 1,500 pounds. For a compact SUV, that is a pretty impressive number.
If you thought we’d be diving into the differences right off the bat, think again. The 2020 Buick Encore is also powered by a turbocharged 1.4-L four-cylinder engine coupled with a 6-speed automatic transmission. The performance is also the same at 138 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is optional on all trim levels except the base. There is one slight difference here, and that is in the fuel economy. The Encore gets about 27 mpg combined (25 city/30 highway). This is most likely due to the overall weight of the vehicle being slightly higher than the Trax. It also has the ability to tow up to 1,500 pounds. So, in terms of performance, the two vehicles minor each other.
Available in three trim levels, the Chevy Trax has all the features you could possibly want. The base model is known as the LS, and it comes with a power-adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support for optimized comfort and a 60/40-split folding rear seat for better configuration options. Compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the vehicle’s infotainment interface is displayed on a 7-inch touchscreen that operates with Bluetooth. You can make calls, stream your personalized playlist, and even sync your favorite apps through this innovative system. Dual USB ports are also provided for charging your smartphone and tablet, and a 4G LTE Wifi hotspot keeps you connected everywhere you go. Whether you are tuning in to the radio or streaming your own music, you can enjoy listening to your favorite songs through the 6-speaker sound system. You should also note that the LS can have additional packages incorporated into the vehicle, including tinted windows and cruise control. The mid-level model is the LT, and it features premium cloth upholstery and added storage space underneath the passenger seat. You can hide items beneath the seat to keep them safe and out of sight. A cargo cover is also included for the same purpose of hiding things. Satellite radio has been added for more music options, and a 110-volt household-style power outlet is also provided. At this level, you can add the LT Convenience package, which includes simulated leather inserts on the seats, a genuine leather-wrapped steering wheel, and keyless ignition/entry. Another package that you may add is the Driver Confidence package. This includes safety features like blindspot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors. An upgraded 7-speaker Bose stereo is another option along with a luxurious sunroof. Finally, the top-of-the-line Premier model includes all of the optional LT packages previously mentioned. It also comes with heated seats for comfort during the winter and enhanced safety features such as forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.
On the other hand, the new Buick Encore is offered in four trims. The base is called the 1SV, and it includes a power-adjustable driver’s seat, a fold-flat front passenger seat, and 60/40-split folding rear seats just like the Chevy Trax. It also comes with keyless ignition/entry, air conditioning, cruise control, and a similar infotainment system. Compatible with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, this interface is displayed on a slightly larger 8-inch touchscreen, which is displayed in the higher price point. It comes with dual USB ports, a 4G LTE Wifi hotspot, and satellite radio that you can listen to through the 6-speaker stereo. The mid-level Preferred trim adds a cargo cover and floor mats. Safety upgrades like remote start, blindspot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert can also be seen at this level. The Sport Touring version is similar to the Preferred. Most of its differences can be seen from the outside, which we will cover shortly. Lastly, the top-tier Essence model includes heated leather seats with driver memory settings for optimized comfort. The steering wheel is also heated, and dual-zone climate control allows the passenger and driver to stay at different temperatures. Also added at this level is a 120-volt household-style power outlet. Add-ons include forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, parking sensors, a navigation system, a 7-speaker Bose stereo, and a sunroof. Ultimately, these two vehicles are similar in their interior features as well.
As with the interior, exterior styling elements vary depending on the trim level for both vehicles. Let’s take a closer look.
The new Trax LS rides on 16-inch alloy wheels and features automatic headlights. Upgrading to the LT model will get you LED daytime running lamps, roof rails, and heated side mirrors that come in handy during the colder months. There is also a special edition called LT Redline, which features 18-inch black-painted alloy wheels with contrasting red accents. The majority of the accent pieces on this model are also painted black for a darkened aesthetic. Finally, the Premier rolls on a different set of 18-inch wheels and includes foglights.
When you look at the Encore from the outside, you will immediately notice a few key differences. The base 1SV rides on larger 18-inch alloy wheels and includes roof rails. Automatic headlights are a given, similar to the Trax LS. The Preferred trim offers the same exterior features as well. Stepping up to the Sport Touring will add foglights and a sporty rear spoiler for a more athletic appearance. Lastly, the Essence model upgrades the exterior lighting to LED and adds rain-sensing wipers that come in handy on inclement weather days. The 18-inch wheels are switched out for aluminum, and the power-adjustable heated side mirrors have ingrates turn signal indicators. A sunroof is also optional.
For paint colors, the Trax is available in 9 beautiful shades, including Summit White, Mosaic Black Metallic, Black Cherry Metallic, Satin Steel Gray, Silver Ice Metallic, Nightfall Gray Metallic, Cajun Red Metallic, Red Hot, and Pacific Blue Metallic.
On the flip-side, the Buick Encore only comes in 7 hues. These include White Frost, Summit White, Quicksilver Metallic, Satin Steel Metallic, Ebony Twilight Metallic, Winterberry Red Metallic, and Deep Azure Metallic.