[TrainTrax]

The Chevy Trax has a more luxurious sibling, the Buick Encore. The two vehicles are quite similar, but the Encore is noticeably nicer than the Trax in a number of different ways. It is generally quieter, has a nicer interior, and a nicer exterior as well. The bi-weekly lease payment isn't even that far off, so I thought I'd lay out what the main differences are and then see what you guys think when comparing the two.

Looking at the interiors of the two vehicles, the Encore uses nicer materials, has different gauges and vents, and also has a different setup for the controls. Overall you are going to get a more luxurious look and feel from the Encore interior.

Chevy Trax Interior

Buick Encore Interior

The Encore really separates itself from the Trax when it comes to additional features and technology. Features available on the Encore and not the Trax include: rain-sensing wipers, a heated steering wheel, a blind spot monitoring system, rear cross-traffic alert, a power passenger seat, chrome wheels, memory settings for the driver's seat, a forward-collision warning system, a lane-departure warning system and dual-zone climate control. That's a lot of stuff that the Trax doesn't have.

Another difference between the Encore and the Trax is the ride of the Encore. It is described as quieter than the Trax and also smoother.

One thing that is the same between the two vehicles is the engine. Both come with the same 1.4L turbo 4-cylinder engine that produces 138 HP and 148 lb-ft of torque.

To cap this off, consider the lease price. In Canada the base rate for a bi-weekly payment on a Trax is $134 for a 48 month term. The Encore raises that price up to $178 bi-weekly. That is a difference of $44.

What do you guys think? Might you be swayed to go with the Encore instead of the Trax?

 

[DustTrax]

Whats the price difference if I were to outright purchase either one?

 

[James]

Whats the price difference if I were to outright purchase either one?

Last I checked it was a $10k difference.

 

[beeguz]

I think spending 10K to get a little nicer a nicer interior and a shinny grill is not smart decision.

I can do alot with 10K

 

[UrbanSuburban]

You forgot the most important thing, the encore has a temp gage... lol but unless you are able to write your lease off for business purposes, it usually not a great idea to lease, unless you can do it short term, no more than 36 months and preferably 24, the longer you have it the more you are on the hook for the gotchas at the end.

 

[James]

From what i've been seeing and reading sales of them have been taking off quite well, even if I had the extra coin i wouldn't spend it going for the encore.

 

[beeguz]

In the area where I live NE Pa. I have seen the trax taking off like crazy on my daily drive I see them all the time.

I'm about to break the 1K mile mark on my Trax at first I though I made a mistake now I really like it, I'm starting to drive it more.

 

[TrainTrax]

I think that it is a good thing for there to be the option of the Trax or the Encore. I don't think that they really steal sales from each other. Ultimately the Encore is for people who want to spend a bit more and get more features and the Trax is more of a budget vehicle.

 

[DustTrax]

10k is a substantial price difference to me even though it doesn't look like much if you're leasing. I can get a clear bra and other accessories for the Trax with that 10k.

 

[TrainTrax]

10k is a substantial price difference to me even though it doesn't look like much if you're leasing. I can get a clear bra and other accessories for the Trax with that 10k.

But, you would be getting a substantial amount of extra features on the Encore with that money as well. It's not like the money doesn't buy you anything on the Encore. That extra money does pay for more stuff.

 

[DustTrax]

To each their own. The only things I can see on the list that I may want is the heated steering wheel and blind spot monitoring system. Everything else seems unnecessary after years of driving without.

 

[TraxShine]

I have to admit that it was the Buick Encore that lead me to the Chevy Trax. I had the Encore as a rental earlier in the year and loved it. Once the Trax hit the market and I saw the interior differences I started to lean more to the Trax. The 7" display being lower in the dash on the Trax vs. the bump up version in the Encore pushed it over the top. Another cosmetic thing for me was the Encore has the faux "Port-Holes" on the hood ... that just looks tacky to me.

 

[DustTrax]

Wasn't aware the port holes were fake and pointless but then again they are oddly placed.

 

[whatsnext]

I actually did purchase an Encore instead of a Trax. I was able to find a used 2013 Encore with 12,000 miles for less than $20K. Love the features and the ride. The trim level is called Convenience. The vehicle has AWD which I wanted for the winter in NJ. Mileage for the first 3,000 miles runs right at 30 MPG. There are many deals to be found. The original warranty transferred. I have a great new ride at a large savings over buying new. As discussed on another thread the Encore has the CD Player, which I still need so problem solved!

 

[DustTrax]

You do save quite a bit with a used encore so I can see why you went that route. To each their own and if it has everything you need than all the power to you.

 

[TrainTrax]

Hmm, a used Encore may really be worth a look. Could end up about the same amount of money as a new Trax and you would get a lot of extra features even if it were a slightly older model.

 

[whatsnext]

That is exactly the conclusion that I reached. When I looked into this idea I was suprised to see just how many low mileage vehicles were available. The list of standard equipment about filled the window sticker. Ride is very quite with the Bose noise elimination feature that is built into the Encore. It came down to new bare bones Trax or a low mileage very loaded Encore. I have been very pleased with the vehicle overall so far.

 

[TrainTrax]

That is exactly the conclusion that I reached. When I looked into this idea I was suprised to see just how many low mileage vehicles were available. The list of standard equipment about filled the window sticker. Ride is very quite with the Bose noise elimination feature that is built into the Encore. It came down to new bare bones Trax or a low mileage very loaded Encore. I have been very pleased with the vehicle overall so far.

Is there anything that a brand new Trax would get you that you did not get with the slightly older Encore model?

 

[whatsnext]

Not that I could see in my search and test drives. So far so good. I usually keep a vehicle for 150,000 miles so thats the real quality test. There are fans of each vehicle for various reasons all of which are good. Overall GM appears to have a winner and lets hope the production build quality is solid. I was most amazed at the large price drop vs new on the order of 25% vs original MSRP.

 

[klschepler]

I have been looking at the Chevrolet Trax. It is truly interesting and about the right size for me. I like it - but there are issues. I cannot believe they left the temperature gauge off of the Trax. It is needed to tell you when there is a cooling system problem so you do not ruin the engine. I like to be able to see that the engine temperature is OK. Water pumps do fail, hoses break. The temperature gauge is probably part of the computer system on the Buick Encore so it may not be dependable. These are SUVs. You should be able to pull a 1000 to 1500 pound trailer with them. Both vehicles need a real 2.0L, non-turbocharged engine, not a fragile 1.4L turbocharged weakling. Turbochargers eventually fail. I do not like the radio sticking up out of the dash on the Encore. Radios that do not have real knobs for power switch, volume, and tuning I find difficult, distracting, and dangerous to operate while driving. I have a 2000 2.0L Chevrolet Tracker and a 1994 1.6L Geo Tracker, 4x4s. Both are rusted out now but I had better keep on driving them. My all time favorite was my 1988 Nissan Stanza Wagon. The worst vehicle I ever had was my 1972 Jeep Wagoneer. There was two different kinds of pistons in my 1965 Ford Mustang. It did not run smooth. Ford admitted to the error in a technical bulletin but would not fix it Haven't owned a Ford since. I have bought 7 new vehicles in my lifetime. All had nagging factory defects or design problems, some fixed, some not, some I had to fix myself. No rear braking on the 2000 Tracker. Service manager said there is "nothing we can do". I had to fix it myself. Turned out to be an incorrectly adjusted LSPV (load sensitive proportioning valve). Look on pages 5-40 thru 5-42 in the service manual. It is there Mr. Goodwrench. The timing chain cover still leaks, spraying oil onto the serpentine belt. No gasket, RTV is supposed to seal it. The old tried and true engineering rule "KISS" still applies but is now obviously long forgotten. There is way too much computerization on today's vehicles, overdone. I don't think I can tolerate another new defective, annoying, unrepairable vehicle. May be better to just buy something used. Why pay the big price for a defective vehicle? The MAF sensor for the 2000 Tracker costs $1008.00 from GM. Found a new aftermarket made in China replacement part on eBay for $31.75, free shipping, and it works. No more check engine light.