Sometimes it’s difficult to decide between two similar models by two different companies. Which company offers the best bang for your buck? Is there a major difference between these two models that isn’t obvious as a buyer? The answer isn’t always clear at first. This is especially true when looking at the 2020 Chevy Trax vs 2020 Buick Encore. In fact, it’s difficult to tell which one’s which from the outside. All the way down to the black lower body trim, these extra-small SUVs are difficult to compare. The same is true for their features.
We’re here to help potential buyers decide which SUV is right for them. By looking at important aspects of each vehicle, we’ll help sort out the differences and pick the better option. Additionally, the regular Encore is quite different from the Encore GX, so we’ll be pointing out the differences between those two models as well. We’re going to outline the details of each model here, so hang tight and pay close attention. By the end of this, you very well may know which one is destined to be your next SUV.
Exterior
The Trax
We’re going to start with the exterior differences first since most drivers care about aesthetic appearances. The Chevy Trax comes in nine different colors, including Black Metallic, Midnight Blue Metallic, Silver Ice Metallic, Summit White, Crimson Metallic, Black Cherry Metallic, Stone Gray Metallic, Iridescent Pearl Tricoat, and Shadow Gray Metallic. Each of these colors are soft and pleasant on the eyes. They’re not too harsh, yet they still pop. The Trax has a nice variety, giving an option for almost anyone. It’s actually pretty hard to pick between these shades, although we do think that the Black Cherry Metallic and the Midnight Blue Metallic options are the most appealing.
The Trax also comes with 16-inch painted aluminum wheels, but 18-inch Gloss Black or Black with Red Stripes can be added to the higher-level LT. The Red striped ones look great with the Black or Crimson Red exterior colors.
The lower LS trim comes with several exterior add-on options, including front and rear splash guards, deep-tinted windows, front and rear black bowtie emblems, and a front license plate bracket. The LT comes with these options, along with a black grille with black surround, a black Trax badge with a red outline, a carrier mount for a bike or ski carriers, and roof rack cross rails.
Additionally, let’s not forget about the highest Premier option, which comes with the same add-on options that the mid-level does. Overall, there are plenty of customization options where the 2020 Chevy Trax is concerned. It’s just a matter of what looks best to you.
The Encore
Now let’s take a gander at the Encore. It’s important to note that there are some differences between the regular Encore and the Encore GX. The Encore only comes in four colors, which are essentially variants of black, white, and silver. The Encore GX comes in 9 colors, which include White Frost Tricoat, Deep Azure Metallic, Burnished Bronze Metallic, Black Currant Metallic, Satin Steel Metallic, Ebony Twilight Metallic, Summit White, Dark Moon Blue Metallic, and Chili Red Metallic. These are all very appealing colors, but the downside is that the Encore GX only offers a bright red rather than any deep red options. Additionally, the regular Encore hardly offers any color options at all.
As far as all the other customization stuff goes, the Encore comes with 18-inch painted aluminum wheels, which can only be upgraded to wheels with dark android high gloss inserts or chrome inserts on the Encore GX. The Preferred is the highest trim on the Encore, and it only comes with four package options, which include add-ons such as Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Side Blind Zone Alert, along with customization add-ons.
The Encore GX’s Preferred trim comes with more packages, though. The most appealing add-on options include remote start and a power liftgate. Even with the GX variant, these offer much less than the Trax’s base-level LS add-on options. So, there really aren’t many differences here.
Interior
The Trax
The 2020 Trax LS comes with Jet Black or Jet Black/Light Ash Gray cloth seating. It also includes a Chevy Infotainment 3 System with a 7-inch color touchscreen and front bucket seats. Its add-ons include premium all-weather floor mats, remote start, a cargo area organizer, cruise control, and a cargo area tray.
The LT comes with either leather or cloth seats, both in Jet Black or Jet Black/Light Ash Gray. This one comes with add-on options for heated seats, a 6-way power driver’s seat, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, keyless unlock, and leatherette seat trim. How fancy! It also includes safety add-ons such as Side Blind Zone Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and Rear Park Assist. These are very handy, especially for those who see safety as a top concern. Overall, the interior is well-equipped and up to date. It’s fashionable without being over-the-top, which is a nice balance for a small SUV.
The Encore
The lowest Encore 1SV trim comes with one interior option, which is Ebony cloth. It has an Infotainment system, but everything else it offers comes at an additional cost. Everything else is the same for the Encore Preferred trim, but with an additional Shale cloth seating option.
The base-level Preferred GX trim comes with an Infotainment system as well, and either Ebony or Whisper Beige cloth seats. Add-ons include remote start, cargo space and mats, and optional heated seats, just like the Trax. The only additional option that the Encore has that the Trax doesn’t have is a SiriusXM Radio subscription, but that’s only available with the GX. The second-level GX trim’s add-ons are about the same, and the Essence includes more tech options like wireless charging and a rear camera mirror washer.
It’s important to note that the highest regular Encore model costs more than the Trax’s highest model by $1,400, which is good to consider when deciding between the two. That extra $1,400 isn’t really adding anything unless the driver just prefers Buick over Chevrolet. Even the GX’s tech features don’t outweigh the bargain of a 2020 Trax.
Everything Else
Now that we’ve covered all the fun aesthetic facts and tech features, let’s take a look at some other specs. First of all, the 2020 Trax gets 26 MPG in the city, and 31 on the highway, whereas the Encore gets 25/30 MPG. Both vehicles seat up to 5 people, so they’re similar in that respect.
Additionally, they both offer exactly 48.4 cubic feet of cargo space, which is another thing that makes these models so competitive. However, the main selling point between the two, aside from gas mileage, is the price. The Trax starts off at $21,400 for the lowest tier trim, yet the Encore starts at $23,200. Sure, some buyers may prefer the Buick for its name alone, but overall, the best deal lies within the 2020 Chevy Trax.
Prices do change and vary with upgrades and higher trims, but as far as base-level deals are concerned, the Trax is definitely the way to go. This is especially true because the base 2020 Encore only comes in four basic colors, which are the Ebony Twilight Metallic, Summit White, White Frost Tricoat, and Quicksilver Metallic options mentioned earlier. The base-level Trax LS comes in eight of the nine possible colors, providing much more variety where aesthetic is concerned. In summary, it looks like the Chevy Trax comes with more benefits and flare than the Encore, making it the best deal of the two.
