Buick Encore GX vs. Jeep Cherokee | Compact SUV Comparison

January 21st, 2021 by

An SUV is a must-have if you are looking for a versatile vehicle for everyday and weekend adventures. Here in Ohio, you want something that will handle well in all-terrain situations, including chilly snow filled winters! If you are considering adding a new compact SUV to your car family, there are certainly many options available.

Jeep Cherokees are ever-popular options. However, the Buick Encore GX also has some features that are worth consideration. While both are fantastic off-road vehicles, they perform beautifully in city traffic, too. Let’s take a closer look with us here at Cochran Buick-GMC to see which SUV will be better for you.

Buick 2021 Encore GX Essence in white color sitting in driveway

2021 Buick Encore GX Essence

Key Differences

As you drive around Youngstown, Ohio, either on your way to Mill Creek Park for some rest and relaxation in nature or to stroll downtown and grab a bite to eat, you want to feel comfortable, safe, and confident behind the wheel of your SUV. Naturally, you want your new vehicle to have features that suit your lifestyle.

Lifestyle

Jeep has built a robust and reliable name for themselves and a solid brand in their Cherokee line. However, the Buick Encore GX has similar features and capabilities. The Buick style is sleek and sophisticated, all while providing comfort and a smooth driving experience. When you slide into the driver’s seat and grab ahold of the steering wheel, you can be confident that the Buick Encore GX will get you to your destination. The Encore and the Cherokee seat up to five passengers, both with about 128 cubic feet of interior seating volume.

Looking for SUVs with 3rd row seating?

Performance

If long drives for a commute or just recreation are your need, you want your vehicle to have excellent handling. This is an area where the Buick Encore GX excels. The Encore has a 1.2-liter turbocharged engine that can create up to 162 pounds per feet of torque. On the other hand, the Jeep Cherokee has a four-cylinder unleaded engine under the hood. While both vehicles have similar gas tank capacities, the Encore GX fuel economy outperforms the Jeep Cherokee with a stellar 30 mpg Environmental Protection Agency rating for city driving.

Safety

With so many cars out on the road these days, safety is top of mind for many car buyers. With this in mind, car manufacturers have added many safety benefits. Buick Encore GX and the Jeep Cherokee are no exception. Both vehicles come with driver and passenger front air bags, front and rear side-impact air bags, and driver and passenger knee air bags.

Also included are the standard front seat belt pretensioners, front-wheel drive, adjustable shoulder belts, four-wheel anti-lock brakes, and traction control. To prevent skidding, both vehicles come equipped with electronic stability systems. They have daytime running lights, rearview cameras, blind-spot warning systems, and rear cross-path warning for visual assistance.

If you have children, an important safety feature on the Buick Encore GX is the back seat reminder. When you turn your vehicle off, this reminder will let you know that the rear seat needs to be checked before you exit your vehicle. Reminders like these are becoming more prevalent due to the increase in infant and child car deaths. The Jeep Cherokee does not offer this reminder.

2019 Jeep Cherokee at Sweeney Cars

2019 Jeep Cherokee

Environmental Considerations

In our climate-conscious world, it is essential to consider the environmental impact of the vehicle you drive every day. The EPA gave the Buick Encore GX a 7 out of 10 rating, and the Jeep Cherokee rated between a 5 and 6. How do these ratings work? The EPA measures how much smog-creating pollutants are produced per 15,000 miles, and the Buick Encore GX generates around 8 pounds less than the Jeep Cherokee.

Warranty

The Jeep Cherokee and Buick Encore GX have similar warranty offerings. However, the Encore has a corrosion warranty a year longer than the Cherokee’s, giving you 6 years instead of 5.

Tires

The standard tire set for the Jeep Cherokee is 17-inch wheels, while the Buick Encore GX has a slightly larger standard wheel of 18 inches. The larger size provides a smoother ride, better handling, and allows more airflow for brake cooling. The Encore tires have a lower profile, with the 55 series providing a stiffer sidewall, while the Jeep Cherokee has the 65 series tires.

Design

Many design elements in the Encore GX are for maximum user comfort. Upon entry, the driver’s seat slides back as soon as the door is unlocked or the ignition is off, making it effortless to get into and out of the vehicle. In contrast, the Cherokee does not offer easy entry systems.

The Encore GX enables you to see your speed without taking your eyes off the road with a heads-up projection in your natural line of sight. When backing up, the mirrors automatically adjust for a better view of the curbs and parking lines. The Cherokee doesn’t offer either of these features.

Specifications

The Encore GX is a little over 10.5 inches shorter in body length than the Cherokee. In this case, being shorter can be a good thing, allowing for better maneuverability and ease of parking, especially when all that’s left in the lot is a tight space.

The Encore GX FWD comes with a continuously variable transmission. Continuously variable transmissions allow the Encore to transition seamlessly between various speeds and eliminate any shifting steps, keeping the RPM at a smooth level. Fewer transitions increase your fuel economy, saving you money at the pump. The Cherokee has a standard transmission, not a continuously variable transmission.

Buick Encore GX

  • MSRP: Starts at $24,100
  • MPG: up to 30 in the city; 32 on the highway
  • Size: 171″ L x 71″ W x 64″ H”
  • Horsepower: 137 to 155

Jeep Cherokee

  • MSRP: Starts at $32,000
  • MPG: 19 in the city; 26 on the highway
  • Size: 182″ L x 73″ W x 65″ H
  • Horsepower: 180

To see a new Buick Encore GX or schedule a test drive, feel free to give us a call or schedule a time online at Cochran Buick GMC. In the meantime, take a look at our Buick Encore GX specials.

Still deciding which vehicle may be right for you? Please take a look at our online inventory or come on by. We can’t wait to meet you.

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