The 2021 Buick Encore GX is stylish, versatile, and engineered to fit your way of life. The all-new Chevrolet Trailblazer returns for 2021 after a lengthy hiatus and is bold, spacious, and capable, with multiple trims and style options. With lots of standard features and a great performance, there is a lot to like in both SUVs.
Design and Style
The 2021 Buick Encore GX can seat up to five people in its two-row SUV. The Encore GX has a striking set of features with a more squared-off shape overall and a larger, bolder grille between the headlamps. It offers comfortable, premium seating, with available luxury features that include leather-appointed seats, a heated steering wheel, a panoramic moonroof and an in-vehicle air ionizer. Its cabin is nicely laid out and offers plenty of head-and legroom throughout the cabin. There are soft-touch surfaces through the front of the interior; but you will also find more hard plastics in the rear of the cabin. Cloth upholstery comes standard; and leather upholstery, heated front seats, a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, an eight-way power-adjustable front passenger seat, and a heated steering wheel are available. It offers versatile cabin features and customizable cargo options for all of your gear, providing 23.5 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats and more than 50 cubic feet of maximum cargo space when the rear seats are folded down. Reconfiguring the cargo area floor will give you an additional 2.7 inches of cargo height. The Encore GX is available in three trims: Preferred, Select, and Essence. Pricing starts at $24,100 for the Preferred, $25,700 for the Select, and $28,500 for the range-topping Essence.
The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer is a four-door SUV that offers an upscale and spacious interior, with comfortable seating for five and ample cargo space. The front seats are roomy enough for taller occupants, and your passengers will stay comfortable with plenty of rear-seat leg room and lots of places to store their things. Cloth upholstery and manually adjustable front seats are standard; and available options include heated front seats, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, and synthetic leather upholstery. The Trailblazer offers 25.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, and 54.4 cubic feet with the seats folded down. Front passenger seats fold forward, allowing long items to fit; and a hands-free liftgate is available for your convenience. The Trailblazer comes in five trims: L, LS, LT, Activ, and RS. The entry-level Trailblazer L has an affordable starting price of $19,000 and ranges to a starting price of $26,900 for the all-wheel drive Trailblazer RS trim.
Power, Handling and Gas
The Encore GX’s turbocharged 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine is standard on all front-wheel-drive models, with 137 horsepower and 162 lb ft of torque. Standard on all-wheel drive models and optional for front-wheel-drive models is a turbocharged 1.3-liter three-cylinder, with 155 horsepower and 174 lb ft of torque. All models with front-wheel drive have a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), and all-wheel drive options feature a nine-speed automatic transmission. With more distance between its front and rear wheels, it allows for a smoother riding experience and better handling on the road. The Encore GX gets an EPA-estimated 28/31 mpg on the city and highway with its base engine, 30/21 mpg for the front-wheel drive, and 26/29 mpg for the AWD. It delivers a gentle ride and offers the perfect balance of efficiency, power, and agile-handling to help you feel confident on the road.
The Trailblazer has the capability to take you wherever you want to go. You can get the traction you need with Normal, All-Wheel Drive and Sport drive modes. It has two engine choices: a 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder that makes 137-horsepower and a 1.3-liter turbocharged three-cylinder that makes 155 horsepower. Front-wheel drive comes with a continuously variable automatic transmission; and it is an option with either engine. All-wheel-drive models only come with the 1.3-liter engine and a nine-speed automatic transmission. It maneuvers well around turns and has quick steering to help you in and out of parking spaces. The Trailblazer gets an impressive estimated 28/31 mpg in the city and on the highway with its 1.2-liter engine; and it gets slightly higher ratings with the 1.3-liter engine.
Safety and Technology
The Encore GX is loaded with several standard safety and tech features, including the Buick Infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android, six-speaker audio system, satellite radio, four USB ports, Bluetooth and an in-vehicle Wi-Fi hotspot. Forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic high-beam headlights, lane keep assist, rearview camera, along with safety packages that include a blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors, and adaptive cruise control will help you feel secure on the road. Additional available advanced safety features include a 360-degree parking camera, an automated parking system, and a digital rearview mirror.
The Trailblazer features a user-friendly 7-inch screen, with an available 8-inch screen. The screens have simple menus that react quickly to inputs. It comes standard with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, two USB ports, a four-speaker stereo, and a Wi-Fi hot spot. For your safety and the safety of others, a rearview camera, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, and automatic high-beam headlights are standard.
Conclusion
The 2021 GMC Encore GX and the all-new Chevrolet Trailblazer come with similar power and performance. The Encore GX comes with a few more features, while the Trailblazer comes with more off-road ability and a lower price tag.