Choosing a subcompact SUV usually means trading style for utility, but the 2026 Buick Encore GX and Toyota Corolla Cross prove you can have both. While Toyota is introducing some functional updates, Buick's standard high-tech layout makes a strong case for itself in the new model year. Let's see how these two competitors measure up in this Buick Encore GX and Corolla Cross compact SUV comparison.
Key Takeaways:
- The 2026 Buick Encore GX includes an 11-inch touchscreen and an 8-inch digital gauge cluster as standard equipment on every Encore GX
- The Encore GX offers a balanced turbocharged lineup that prioritizes a smooth and controlled ride.
- The Toyota Corolla Cross gets a styling update with a new grille and an improved center console for 2026.
What's Different in the Buick Encore GX for 2026?
Beyond a sharp new Brilliant Red paint option and an available 16-inch spare wheel, the Encore GX is a carryover from last year.
Toyota, however, gives the Corolla Cross some notable tweaks. The front end gets a more aggressive look with a beefier grille, and there's a new Cavalry Blue color choice. It redesigned the center console for better use of space and added an available larger touchscreen. The XLE trim now gets 18-inch wheels in a dark gray finish, and AWD models now come standard with heated front seats and a heated steering wheel.
What Engine is Found in the 2026 Buick Encore GX?
The Encore GX lineup features a base 1.2-liter delivering 137 horsepower, while the optional 1.3-liter bumps those ponies to 155. Front-wheel-drive models use a CVT, but the AWD versions upgrade to a more traditional nine-speed automatic.
The Corolla Cross sticks with its 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine across the board, producing 169 horsepower. Like the base Buick, it uses a CVT to send power to either the front wheels or the available AWD system.
Powertrains
| 2026 Buick Encore GX |
2026 Toyota Corolla Cross |
| 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder; 1.3-liter turbocharged three-cylinder available |
2.0-liter four-cylinder |
| CVT with front-wheel drive models |
CVT transmission |
| 9-speed automatic with AWD models |
FWD or available AWD |
Does the 2026 Buick Encore GX Get Better Gas Mileage than the 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross?
Efficiency is a close race here. In the Buick, the 1.3-liter turbo with front-wheel drive is the most efficient, hitting 29 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway. The smaller 1.2-liter gets a 30 mpg combined rating. If you opt for the AWD version with the nine-speed auto, you're looking at 26 mpg city and 28 mpg highway.
The Corolla Cross delivers very similar numbers, with its FWD setup matching the Buick's 29 city and 31 highway mpg. Just like the Encore GX, opting for the 1.3-liter with AWD and the nine-speed automatic results in ratings of 26 mpg city and 28 mpg highway.
Is the Technology in the 2026 Buick Encore GX Nice?
This is where the Buick really shines. Every Encore GX comes with a sleek, curved glass panel that houses an 11.0-inch touchscreen and an 8.0-inch digital driver display. The system is fast, intuitive, and includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a Wi-Fi hotspot as standard equipment.
Toyota's tech varies by trim. You start with an 8.0-inch screen and a 4.2-inch driver display. For 2026, the XLE trim upgrades to a 10.5-inch screen, which is also an option for the LE. While Toyota has added wireless charging and more USB-C ports to the middle trims, the Encore GX gives you that massive screen experience without forcing you into an expensive model.
Should I Buy a 2026 Buick Encore GX or Toyota Corolla Cross GX?
The Toyota Corolla Cross is a practical, updated choice that offers great reliability. But if you want a subcompact that feels ahead of the curve with a massive standard screen and a more sophisticated transmission option, the Encore GX is hard to beat. Contact us today at Reliable to get behind the wheel today!