2024 Chevrolet Trax vs 2023 Buick Encore GX

The 2023 Buick Encore GX did not reflect Buick's storied design history, such as the iconic 1938 Y-Job. Its styling was a departure from the past without forging a new path, resulting in awkward proportions that failed to capture the SUV appeal. The optional Sport Touring Package added subtle enhancements, but the differences were barely noticeable unless compared side-by-side with a standard model. Inside, the Encore GX Essence trim offered expected features like leather upholstery and dual-zone climate control, but the abundance of plastic reminded us of its entry-level status within Buick's lineup. The fit and finish were commendable, yet the interior design lacked excitement, with a dashboard and door panels reminiscent of uninspired 1990s designs. The instrument cluster, however, stood out with its well-framed digital display.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax underwent a significant transformation, shedding its predecessor's dowdy image. The design team embraced a "longer, lower, wider" philosophy, resulting in a vehicle that was 28 cm longer, 10 cm lower, and 5 cm wider. The Trax borrowed styling cues from the midsize Chevy Blazer, including a prominent grille and distinctive rear body sides, giving it a commanding presence. Base models featured 17-inch steel wheels, while higher trims offered 18-inch and 19-inch aluminum options. The Trax Activ and RS trims added rugged and sporty touches, respectively. Inside, the Trax LS came with cloth upholstery and a plastic interior, but clever design elements like a freestanding touchscreen and large air vents added interest. Higher trims featured Evotex upholstery and unique stitching, though some materials, like piano-black plastic, were prone to smudging.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX in Canada came with a 1.3-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine, producing 155 horsepower and 174 lb-ft of torque. It featured a nine-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The engine delivered stronger acceleration than expected, but power delivery was not smooth, requiring a patient approach to throttle applications. The Encore GX excelled in ride comfort and noise reduction, thanks to its well-damped suspension and active noise cancellation. However, it felt ponderous and awkward in most situations, with slow and lifeless steering and significant body roll.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax featured a 1.2-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine, producing 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque. Despite the lower power output, the Trax was quicker to 100 km/h than its predecessor. The engine's flat torque curve provided strong response, and turbo lag was minimal. The Trax retained the previous generation's six-speed automatic transmission and was available only with front-wheel drive. Its handling was more car-like, with a wider track for a planted feel. While not a hot hatch, the Trax offered predictable and nimble handling. Ride quality was slightly rough, but the Trax exceeded expectations in refinement, with active noise cancellation reducing unwanted sounds.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX offered competitive passenger space, with headroom comparable to rivals like the Hyundai Kona and Mazda CX-30. However, the Kia Seltos provided more rear legroom. The Encore GX had 665 litres of cargo space with the rear seats up and 1,422 litres with them folded. The front seats were positioned close together, affecting spaciousness, and lacked thigh support. Small-item storage was well-executed, with large door pockets and a space-efficient wireless charging pad. Instrumentation was clear, with useful features like the engine start/stop notification within the tachometer.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax, despite being larger overall, did not uniformly translate to increased interior space. It offered 7.6 cm more rear-seat legroom, but first-row headroom remained unchanged, and second-row headroom decreased by 1.7 cm. The Trax had the most rear legroom among its rivals, and both front and rear seats were comfortable. The car-like driving position provided excellent visibility. Cargo space increased by about 12%, with 725 litres available with the rear seats up and 1,532 litres with them folded, surpassing the Hyundai Venue.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX came with a standard 8-inch touchscreen and a 4.2-inch driver information display. Optional features included a built-in navigation system, head-up display, wireless phone charging, and an eight-speaker Bose audio system. Standard connectivity features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with graphics that were superior to many competitors. The 8-inch touchscreen was small by current standards but fit well within the dashboard.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax saw significant infotainment upgrades, with an 8-inch touchscreen standard on LS and 1RS trims, and an 11-inch touchscreen and 8-inch digital instrument cluster on higher trims. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with wireless phone charging, were available for the first time. The infotainment system was easy to use, with crisp graphics and a logical menu layout. The screen was tilted toward the driver, which could be inconvenient for passengers. The optional digital instrument cluster was simple and modern, and information could be transferred from the main touchscreen. Additional USB ports were available on higher trims, along with optional wireless phone charging.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX offered standard driver assistance features like automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane keep assist, and lane departure warning. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, and a 360-degree camera system. The Encore GX received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and was an IIHS 2022 Top Safety Pick, with top "Good" ratings in crash tests.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax's crash-test ratings were not available at the time of publication, but it offered a decent array of driver-assist features. Standard features included automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, lane-keep assist, and forward collision warning. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear park assist. The Trax also came with the Teen Driver system, which monitored driving behaviour and provided a report card to parents.