With the 2025 model year in full swing and competition heating up, many automakers are vying for the top spot, and nowhere is this more apparent than in the subcompact SUV segment. In recent years, Buick’s move to be an SUV-exclusive brand has been praised by many, as it found a way to offer drivers refined luxury for a lower price. This move has also been met with some stiff competition from other brands that are looking to make 2025 their year—most notably, Subaru.
If you’ve been thinking about getting a 2025 Buick Encore GX for sale and want to know how it stacks up against its rivals, you’ve come to the right place. We’re going to be looking at how the 2025 Encore GX outclasses the 2025 Subaru Crosstrek.
A Signature Style
No one likes driving something that’s aesthetically unpleasing to the eye. We all prefer vehicles that allow us to make a memorable first impression, so for drivers who enjoy having style to match their substance, the Encore GX has plenty to offer. Buick’s dedication to providing luxury can be found here both inside and out. The Encore GX has a unique front end and headlights that allow it to stand out. These features are complemented by an aerodynamic design that provides curves in all of the right places.
If refinement and sophistication are the hallmarks of the Encore GX, then the opposite can be said about the Crosstrek. Subaru’s subcompact is hampered by a design that resembles a wagon rather than an SUV. All trims—with the exception of the entry trim—have roof racks that might appeal to some but will be considered an eyesore by others. By implementing a refined style and retaining affordability, the Encore GX is the more attractive offering, inside and out.
Power and Efficiency
All drivers are different in what they look for in their vehicles. For many, though, it all begins and ends with the powertrain. Drivers want something that can produce strong power and effective handling and also save them money in between fill-ups. The Subaru Crosstrek, as is the case for the entire fleet this brand manufactures, comes with its classic Boxer engine and standard AWD across all trims.
The entry-level 2025 Crosstrek Base has a 2.0L Boxer four-cylinder engine that produces 152 hp, and other trims have the advantage of a larger version that increases its performance output to 182 hp. Both engine options pair with a CVT. Having AWD as the sole drivetrain hinders fuel economy, as the Crosstrek offers no better than 27 MPG in the city.
Buick takes the opposite route from Subaru. The 2025 Encore GX has two available engines, one built for performance and the other one for conservative fuel consumption. A 1.2L turbocharged I-3 pairs with a CVT on FWD models, the results of which are favorable for saving money on fuel. The EPA estimates that the 1.2L engine will be far more economical than the Crosstrek, offering drivers 30 MPG in the city. The second engine option for the Encore GX is a 1.3L turbocharged I-3. Unlike the CVT-exclusive powertrains on the Crosstrek, drivers who opt for AWD with this engine have the advantage of a nine-speed automatic transmission for optimum performance and better shifting.
If you don’t want an AWD vehicle, you’re out of luck with Subaru. The Encore GX gives drivers a chance to choose between both drivetrains and its superior fuel economy is far more beneficial to drivers who are looking to save. The main problem with the Crosstrek is that it’s designed for a niche crowd and lacks substantial versatility. Not everyone looks for an SUV that’s favorable for off-roading, and the Encore GX can be outfitted for more traditional tasks than the Crosstrek can.
Staying Connected
Modern drivers expect more when they get behind the wheel. In this day and age, having access to the technology we use daily makes all the difference. These items are accessed via an infotainment screen, and having an intuitive and user-friendly system is imperative to enjoy your experience behind the wheel. Accessibility is paramount, and the Subaru Crosstrek Base is saddled with a seven-inch screen that provides compatibility with Apple and Android products but lacks a mobile hotspot and only has a four-speaker stereo system. In order to have a more enjoyable and informative experience behind the wheel, one has to pay extra for one of this model’s upper trims.
With more features standard across all trim levels, the Buick Encore GX has a much more immersive infotainment screen that every version of this SUV comes with. The Encore GX has an 11-inch touchscreen that provides wireless compatibility with Apple and Android products and simultaneous streaming capabilities for two phones via Bluetooth. All trims also have a standard six-speaker stereo system and hotspot capability. Besides the entertainment aspects that come with the Encore GX, navigation is standard as well. Buick not only continues to offer luxury for less, but it also consistently finds a way to offer more across all trims and not just a select few. Regardless of which version of the Encore GX you buy, you’re getting access to the best technology.
Driver Assistance
The items that we’ve looked at so far are considered by many to be the necessities of what makes a vehicle ideal. Performance, infotainment, and style are important to many drivers, but one can never overlook the importance of safety. Buick and Subaru are both known as safe and reputable brands, so when it comes to comparing the two, it becomes a matter of which items are included in all trims and which ones are obscured by price.
All trims of the Subaru Crosstrek come with a comprehensive suite known as EyeSight. These items include adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking, lane-centering assistance, and lane departure warning. Some of the more advanced items, such as blind-spot detection and reverse automatic braking, are obscured to the upper trims.
The Encore GX comes standard with a suite called Buick Driver Confidence and matches many of the features offered by Subaru. However, other items come standard that provide a more enhanced and safer experience during travels. Front pedestrian braking is standard and can be crucial in keeping others safe. Reaction time is monitored closely, with the inclusion of a following distance indicator. As is the case with all GM vehicles, the Encore GX also has Teen Driver mode.
Teen Driver acts as a virtual report card for the younger drivers in your family. By monitoring driving patterns and allowing you to set limitations on things such as stereo volume, you can ensure that the next generation is following the responsible habits you’re teaching them. With a broader range of items meant to enhance protection and oversight, it’s no wonder why the Buick Encore GX is the safer bet for drivers everywhere.
The Buck Stops With the Buick Encore GX
In the highly competitive world of SUVs, drivers expect more, which is precisely what you’ll find with the 2025 Buick Encore GX. With luxurious stylings inside and out and more options to choose from regarding powertrains, the Subaru Crosstrek just doesn’t have the versatility that Buick does. If you’re looking for an SUV that checks all of the boxes yet also surpasses expectations, Buick is the brand for you.
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