2019 GMC Terrain vs 2019 Buick Encore

• 2019 GMC Terrain

  

  Starting at

  $25,000

  2019 Buick Encore

  

  Starting at

  $23,200

  63.3 cu.ft.	Max Cargo Space	48.4 cu.ft.
  22/28-28/39	Fuel Efficiency (city/highway)	25/30-24/29
  137-252	Horsepower	138-153
  203-260 lb-ft	Torque	148-177 lb-ft

  Some Help With Your Decision

  If you’re in the market for a crossover SUV, then you likely started with a long list of models before paring things down to just a few. It’s common for people in this position to ultimately find themselves deciding between two vehicles, and one never knows which criteria are going to be the ones that ultimately make the final decision. For a lot of people, their crossover SUV decision has come down to the 2019 GMC Terrain vs 2019 Buick Encore. These are both very high-quality and dependable vehicles that offer a lot in the way of style and comfort as well as performance. In short, the 2019 GMC Terrain vs 2019 Buick Encore is not an easy decision by any means.

  We’re going to try to help people out there who may be faced with this analysis before making their purchasing decision. We’re going to analyze both vehicles below by looking closely at several different aspects of each model. If you find what we did, you’ll probably make your decision on your best gut feel as opposed to anything else. Regardless, we hope that this 2019 GMC Terrain vs 2019 Buick Encore comparison is helpful to you as you move towards a decision on your next vehicle.

• MSRP and Safety

  
   

  Cost is usually where most car shoppers start their search, so it’s possible that if you’ve gotten to the point of performing your 2019 GMC Terrain vs 2019 Buick Encore analysis, you’ve already taken a look at the general pricing for these two models. However, it can be helpful to start with the pricing when taking a look at these two vehicles. The GMC Terrain’s MSRP is listed at $25,000. That’s a fair price for such a high-end vehicle, and it’s also a price point that’s generally affordable for most consumers. The 2019 Buick Encore comes in at an even lower MSRP of $23,200. That’s a $1,800 difference, which for the most part won’t make much of a difference in monthly payments over the life of an average auto loan.

  Safety is, for many people, the most important factor when it comes to purchasing any vehicle. Both of these vehicles have been crash tested by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, or the NHTSA, and both have an extensive list of safety-driven features that come standard. 

   

  We didn’t lay out the specific scores for the 2019 GMC Terrain or the 2019 Buick Encore because we didn’t have to. The reason is that each of these models earned 5 stars for every single crash testing category. Just to be clear, 5 stars is the highest rating a vehicle can earn from the NHTSA. Both the 2019 GMC Terrain and the 2019 Buick Encore earned perfect crash test ratings and that’s something that anyone who is looking at these vehicles can keep in mind, as it will make anyone rest easier knowing that they are driving a safe vehicle.

  As far as specific features are concerned, each model comes standard with a long list of safety-driven features that include, among other things, antilock brakes on all four wheels, airbags all over the passenger cabins, stability control, tire pressure monitoring and pressure control. There are many more features you can expect to encounter, but you should check either of these vehicles out for yourself to get a full perspective.

  That’s because, as said above, this is a long list of features that help drivers avoid crashes and get through them should accidents occur. That’s also indicative of why each of these vehicles has earned perfect scores from the NHTSA. Therefore, the analysis of the 2019 GMC Terrain vs 2019 Buick Encore with regards to safety basically ends in a tie.

• Powertrain and Engine

  
   

  We’re going to go through our 2019 GMC Terrain vs 2019 Buick Encore analysis based on the common questions people ask when they’re looking at a particular vehicle. One of the first questions that’s often asked involves fuel, and more specifically fuel economy. Overall, these two vehicles are remarkably similar in that regard. The 2019 Encore earns 25 miles per gallon in the city, and the 2019 Terrain is just a hair below at 22. That’s a remarkable level of fuel economy for these types of vehicles, especially on the standard engines. It gets even better on the highway, as the Encore earns 30 miles per gallon in that environment and the Terrain earns 28. You’ll be saving money at the pump with either of these models.

  There is a bit of difference when it comes to the underlying powertrain, and once again, whichever you prefer is really up to you. The 2019 Buick Encore comes standard with a 6-speed automatic transmission and the Encore comes with 9 speeds. If you like to really maneuver with your different gears, then the Terrain is probably your choice, but if you like things simple, go with the Encore. Overall, any consumer is going to be getting an engine that’s going to perform at a high and cost-effective level regardless of what he or she decides on the 2019 GMC Terrain vs 2019 Buick Encore analysis.

  Obviously, the engine is what drives the vehicle, but to a large extent it’s also what determines the owner experience. If the engine is sound and runs for a long time dependably and smoothly, most owners will look back on that vehicle fondly. If the opposite is true, the owner will clearly have the opposite perspective. Fortunately, those who are going through the 2019 GMC Terrain vs 2019 Buick Encore analysis can rest assured that whichever way they go, they are getting an engine that’s built for the long haul. There are 3 available engines for the GMC Terrain and 2 for the Buck Encore, each with their own highlights and features. For now, we’ll look at the standard engines.

  You’ll bet a hair less horsepower with the 2019 GMC Terrain, which generates 137 horsepower but will get significantly more torque with 203 lb.-ft. The Encore checks in with 138 horsepower and 148 lb.-ft of torque. Each comes with inline 4 cylinders, 16 valves and variable valve timing. Again, there are multiple engines to choose from if more power is needed, so the only way to go from here is up.

  While the GMC Terrain may offer a bit more in terms of power, these engines are relatively similar in terms of their overall capabilities and characteristics. Both offer a lot of acceleration and SUV-type performance for their size, and each of them will perform for their owners at a high level.

• Entertainment and Comfort

  
   

  Would-be auto buyers are generally interested in finding out what they can look forward to in terms of entertainment when they are sitting inside the vehicle. There are quite a few options for each vehicle. Each of these vehicles comes standard with auxiliary audio and USB inputs, AM/FM stereo, speed sensitive volume controls and 6 speakers. The 2019 Buick Encore also comes with three free months of satellite radio service. When your three months is up, you can decide whether or not you’d like to keep it. The Terrain has satellite radio capability, but you need to order it up front if you want to make use of it. Either way, you shouldn’t have to worry about enjoying those long rides, especially if you have passengers along with you.

  Finally, drivers and passengers alike want to know what sort of little fun and convenient things they can enjoy when they get into any new vehicle. Once again, the 2019 GMC Terrain vs 2019 Buick Encore analysis shows that both of these models come loaded with these types of options. Each comes standard with audio and cruise controls on the steering wheel, keyless ignition, mirror turn signals, a rear-view camera and electric power steering.

  These features not only add comfort, but they also make it easier to drive with focus, which goes a long way towards safety. Several of these amenities will help drivers see more and anticipate more as they move down the road. As far as the 2019 GMC Terrain vs 2019 Buick Encore analysis goes, this aspect of the process once again basically ends in another tie.

Our Decision