Upon close examination, the new Chevrolet Trailblazer and Buick Encore GX are somewhat similar. Both are subcompact crossovers, and both ride on GM’s VSS-F vehicle platform (also known as “vehicle set”). What’s more, both models offer the same engines, including the base-level turbocharged 1.2L LIH three-cylinder, which produces 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, and the optional turbocharged 1.3L L3T three-cylinder, which produces 155 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque.
However, there are still several factors which help to differentiate the Trailblazer from the Encore GX, including the list of available and standard active safety features. Now, we’re putting these features side by side in the following GM Authority comparison.
| Feature | Trailblazer | Encore GX |
|---|---|---|
| Front Pedestrian Braking | S | S |
| Automatic Emergency Braking | S | S |
| Forward Collision Alert | S | S |
| Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning | S | S |
| Rear Vision Camera | S | S |
| HD Rear Vision Camera | A | N/A |
| HD Surround Vision Camera | N/A | A |
| Automatic headlamp control | S | S |
| IntelliBeam | S | S |
| Teen Driver | S | S |
| Rear Seat Reminder | S | S |
| Rear Camera Mirror | N/A | A |
| Rear Camera Mirror Washer | N/A | A |
| Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert | A | A |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | A | A |
| Rear Park Assist | A | A |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | A | A |
| OnStar | S | S |
| Following Distance Indicator | S | S |
| Head-Up Display | N/A | A |
| Automatic Parking Assist With Braking | N/A | A |
As we can see, there is a good deal of overlap in the active safety features for the Chevrolet Trailblazer and Buick Encore GX. However, there are several notable differences as well.
For example, the Trailblazer is offered with the HD Rear Vision Camera feature, whereas the Encore GX instead offers the HD Surround Vision Camera. The Encore GX also offers a Rear Camera Mirror and Rear Camera Mirror Washer, while the Trailblazer doesn’t. Finally, the Encore GX stands out for its available Head-Up Display and Automatic Parking feature with Braking, both of which the Chevrolet Trailblazer misses out on.
The extras offered by the Buick Encore GX help to justify its higher pricing when compared to the Chevrolet Trailblazer, with the Buick starting at $25,095, $5,100 more than the Chevrolet’s starting price of $19,995. The Buick also takes a much more luxury-focused approach to the segment, with more upscale materials inside the cabin space, as well as a more refined styling approach compared to the aggressive-looking Trailblazer.
Do these extra active safety features help the Buick Encore GX standout from the Chevrolet Trailblazer? Let us know in the comments, and make sure to subscribe to GM Authority for more Chevrolet Trailblazer news, Buick Encore GX news, Chevrolet news, Buick news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
This tells you why imports are outselling domestic brand CUVs because these were standard or available on most Japanese and Korean imports 3-5 years ago; what’s even more frustrating is that General Motors is screwing themselves without realizing it by making some features available on the Buick Encore GX and not on the Chevy which means if a buyer doesn’t like the Encore GX for whatever reason, they will simply buy a Japanese or Korean CUV instead.
I know that this is not a safety feature but the Encore GX does offer the optional Hands Free Power Liftgate package. I am not sure about the Trailblazer. Any potential buyers that cross shops between these 2 GM brands might want to check this out.
I would take the Buick over the Trailblazer. I want every possible safety item, including surround camera and parking assist. It is a much better looking vehicle than the Trailblazer. After owning a “real” Blazer in the 70’s in Alaska, this Trailblazer should not have blazer anywhere in its name. I love GM products and will always own a GM truck, however, to get much better safety items we now drive a Mercedes Benz GLC.
How Stupid do you sound? Why do people need all this Safety stuff standard you fools. They are just stealing your money! Why not drive like Normal and look where The F you going!
I like safety features which can be largely built into the body structure itself, ok however as d good as some of these electric and electronic based items might be. They are very expensive to replace broken or defective ones and there’s no aftermarket analogous part like with a oil filter or cabin air filter or shock absorber as exzmples.