Everywhere you look, today’s roads and parking lots seem to be packed with compact crossovers and SUVs. When you’re in the market for one of these fuel-friendly offerings, it can be difficult to parse out the differences from one manufacturer to another. But rest assured, a closer look will always reveal key differences.
Let’s take a closer look at two of the most popular vehicles currently on the road, the new 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer and 2022 Buick Encore GX, and learn what sets them apart from one another.
Exterior
The new 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer and 2022 Buick Encore are both classified as compact crossovers, but the Trailblazer stands out with its sporty body, sculpted lines, and roof spoiler. By comparison, the Encore GX’s bubblier exterior paints a much more subdued picture. The new Trailblazer is also offered in loads of fun colors with two-tone color combinations available, while the Encore GX’s color palette is more traditional.
When we step back and look at the Trailblazer and Encore GX side-by-side, they seem to be right about the same size. However, a quick glance at the specs sheets shows the new 2022 Chevy Trailblazer comes out ahead in a few key areas:
- Wheelbase
- Trailblazer: 103.9 inches
- Encore GX: 102.2 inches
- Length
- Trailblazer: 173.7 inches
- Encore GX: 171.4 inches
- Height:
- Trailblazer: 65.2 inches
- Encore GX: 64.1 inches
The new 2022 Chevy Trailblazer also offers six wheel options to choose from while the new Encore GX only has four wheel options. Both of these compact crossovers are available with LED headlights and feature an available hands-free gesture liftgate.
Advantage of the 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer
- Sportier exterior and larger color palette
- More wheel options
- Slightly longer and taller
Interior
When it comes to interior comforts, the new 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer and 2022 Buick Encore GX are neck-in-neck. Both compact crossovers are available with automatic climate control and heated front seats to ensure comfort on every drive. They also boast available panoramic sunroofs that offer an enhanced view and auto-dimming rearview mirrors to reduce headlight glare while traveling at night.
Both vehicles offer seating for up to five people and feature several materials and trims to choose from. A quick look at the spec sheets show them matched in several categories but the Trailblazer still pulls ahead in a few key spots:
- Cargo Volume (with the second row lowered)
- Trailblazer: 54.4 cubic feet
- Encore GX: 50.2 cubic feet
- Second-Row Legroom
- Trailblazer: 39.4 inches
- Encore GX: 36.0 inches
- Front Headroom
- Trailblazer: 40.0 inches
- Encore GX: 39.7 inches
That means the new 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer offers more room for passengers and cargo than its rival.
Advantages of the 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer
- More cargo room
- More rear seat leg room
Technology
When it comes to advanced technology features, the 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer and the 2022 Buick Encore GX hold nothing back. These compact crossovers both offer plenty of advanced tech to keep you connected like 4G LTE Wi-Fi® (data plan required) and wireless smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™. Both vehicles are also available with a seven-speaker Bose® premium sound system and wireless charging pad.
In fact, the biggest difference between the Trailblazer and the Encore GX as far as tech is concerned is the price of their advanced technology packages. To add the 8-inch touchscreens, wireless smartphone capability, wireless charging, and adaptive cruise control runs you only $1,620 in the Chevy versus $1,935 in the Buick.
Advantages of the 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer
- Advanced Technology Package costs $300 less than the Encore GX’s tech package
Safety
Much like with the technology category, the new 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer and 2022 Buick Encore GX are evenly matched when it comes to safety. These compact crossovers leave nothing to chance by offering a number of advanced safety features, including:
- Adaptive cruise control
- Forward-collision alert
- Automatic braking alert
- Lane-change alert
- Lane departure warning
- Side blind-zone alert
- Rear park assist
- Rear cross-traffic alert
Both the Trailblazer and Encore GX also earned NHTSA five-star overall safety ratings, so you have peace of mind that you’re covered on all sides.
Performance
Peek under the new 2022 Chevy Trailblazer and 2022 Buick Encore GX’s hoods and you’ll find one of two engine options. The new Chevy Trailblazer comes with a standard 1.2-liter ECOTEC® turbocharged engine that delivers 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. If you want to kick the power up a bit, both crossovers are also available with a 1.3-liter ECOTEC turbocharged engine that ups the thrills to 155 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque.
The Trailblazer and Encore GX share a few other features as well. Both are available with either a nine-speed automatic transmission or a continuously variable transmission. You can also opt for all-wheel drive on either vehicle as for enhanced control on rough roads. They also both boast a 1,000-pound towing capacity with the proper trailering equipment equipped.
The new Trailblazer offers something the Encore GX doesn’t though: selectable drive modes. With these drive modes, you can choose from Normal, All-Wheel Drive (Snow on front-wheel-drive models), and Sport modes to adjust traction and handling to match current road conditions.
There’s one last performance area we have to touch on and that’s fuel efficiency. The new Chevy Trailblazer just edges out the Buick Encore GX with 34 mpg highway in front-wheel-drive models. The Encore GX tops out at 32 mpg highway in front-wheel-drive models.
Advantage of the 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer
- Features selectable drive modes
- Enhanced fuel efficiency
Which Should You Buy?
When it comes to modern styling and advanced technology for an incredible value, you can’t go wrong with the 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer. Its sporty body stands out in the sea of compact SUVs with its contemporary color palette and trendy wheel designs. It also offers more interior cargo space and rear-seat legroom than the Buick Encore GX.
Experience everything the 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer has to offer by visiting Garber Chevrolet Highland located at 9700 Indianapolis Blvd, Highland, IN 46322 or call (219) 924-3344 to schedule your test drive today!
