2021 Chevy Trax vs Buick Encore

The 2021 Chevy Trax features an attractive interior with many soft-touch surfaces and a surprisingly spacious interior for a compact vehicle. It seats five comfortably and has plenty of rear-seat space, even for adult passengers. It comes with cloth upholstery, a four-way adjustable driver’s seat, and a two-way adjustable passenger seat. Heated front seats, synthetic leather upholstery, deluxe cloth upholstery, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel are available. You’ll also get 18.7 cubic feet of space behind the back seat of the Trax and the second-row folds down almost completely flat to open up a maximum of 48.4 cubic feet. With the front seat folded flat, there is room for items up to eight feet long, making room for all your gear. The 2021 Chevy Trax comes in two trims: LS and LT, with a starting price of $21,400 for the LS trim and $23,200 for the LT trim.

The 2021 Buick Encore SUV features a spacious cabin for passengers and cargo. It seats up to five people and has a maximum cargo space of 48.4 cubic feet, with 18.8 cubic feet of room behind the back row. The seats are supportive and comfortable, with both rows having plenty of head- and legroom for adults. Standard features include cloth and synthetic leather upholstery and a six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat. Additional features include a fold-flat front passenger seat and folding second row seats, as well as premium LED lighting, standard aluminum wheels, and a power sunroof on the Preferred trim. It comes in two trim levels: Base 1SV and Preferred, with a starting price of $24,195 for the Base 1SV and $25,595 for the Preferred.

The Chevy Trax comes standard with a rearview camera and ten standard airbags. Optional driver assistance features include forward collision warning, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors. All Trax models come with Chevrolet’s user-friendly Infotainment 3 System and a 7-inch touch screen that has clear graphics and an intuitive menu structure. It also includes standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone integration, along with a Wi-Fi hotspot, satellite radio, Bluetooth, six speakers, voice command, two USB ports, and remote keyless entry. An optional sunroof and a seven-speaker Bose premium stereo is available, as well.

The Encore is equipped with 10 standard airbags and available advanced safety technology including, rear cross-traffic alert, OnStar Safety and Security, rear vision camera, and side blind zone alert. The Preferred trim offers safety packages that include blind-spot monitoring, forward collision alert, lane departure warning, front and rear parking sensors, and rain-sensing wipers. Additional technology includes an easy-to-use 8-inch infotainment system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, keyless open and start technology, and available myBuick mobile app. A 120-volt power outlet and remote start is available on the Preferred trim.

The Chevrolet Trax is easy to drive and has just enough pep to get up and go or maneuver in and out of tight spaces. All models on the Chevrolet Trax feature a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine and a six-speed automatic transmission that makes 138 horsepower. Front-wheel drive is standard and an all-wheel drive system is available to help when road conditions are less than ideal. Trax offers an impressive 26/31 mpg on the city and highway.

Both trims featured on the Encore are powered by the same engine – a 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 138 horsepower and 148 feet of torque; and it is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. It is a comfortable cruiser that maneuvers well, but is short on engine power. Front-wheel drive is standard on both trims, and all-wheel drive is available for the Preferred trim. Estimated city/highway fuel economy ranks at 26/31 mpg.