Compare the2026 Jeep CherokeeVS 2026 Buick Encore GX

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Cherokee has standard Rear Automatic Emergency Braking that use rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. The Encore GX doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Cherokee. But it costs extra on the Encore GX.

The Jeep Cherokee Overland’s optional360-degree camera is equipped with washers for its front and rear cameras, ensuring crystal-clear visibility in any weather condition. Conversely, the Buick Encore GX only offers a rear camera washer, which may not provide the same level of all-weather performance.

The Cherokee’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Encore GX doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Cherokee and the Encore GX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

The Jeep Cherokee weighs 1040 to 1272 pounds more than the Buick Encore GX. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The Cherokee’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Encore GX’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

Jeep pays for scheduled maintenance on the Cherokee for 2 years and unlimited miles. Jeep will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance (up to 2 visits). Buick doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Encore GX.

There are almost 3 times as many Jeep dealers as there are Buick dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Cherokee’s warranty.

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the Cherokee’s engine. A rubber cam drive belt that needs periodic replacement drives the Encore GX’s camshafts. If the Encore GX’s belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

The Cherokee’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 73 more horsepower (210 vs. 137) and 68 lbs.-ft. more torque (230 vs. 162) than the Encore GX’s standard 1.2 turbo 3-cylinder. The Cherokee’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 55 more horsepower (210 vs. 155) and 56 lbs.-ft. more torque (230 vs. 174) than the Encore GX’s optional 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the Cherokee gets better mileage than the Encore GX:

The Cherokee has a standard locking fuel door with a power remote release convenient to the driver. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Encore GX. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

For better stopping power the Cherokee’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Encore GX:

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Cherokee Overland has standard 20-inch wheels. The Encore GX’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

For superior ride and handling, the Jeep Cherokee has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Buick Encore GX has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Cherokee’s wheelbase is 11 inches longer than on the Encore GX (113 inches vs. 102 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Cherokee is 3.3 inches wider in the front and 3 inches wider in the rear than on the Encore GX.

For greater off-road capability the Cherokee has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Encore GX (8 vs. 7.5 inches), allowing the Cherokee to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Cherokee has 13.1 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Encore GX (107.4 vs. 94.3).

The Cherokee has .5 inches more front headroom, 3.2 inches more front hip room and 2.2 inches more front shoulder room than the Encore GX.

The Cherokee has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Encore GX with its rear seat up (33.6 vs. 23.5 cubic feet). The Cherokee has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Encore GX with its rear seat folded (68.3 vs. 50.2 cubic feet).

The Cherokee’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Encore GX’s (3500 vs. 1000 pounds).

The Cherokee’s front power windows open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Encore GX’s front passenger window doesn’t close automatically.

The Cherokee’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Encore GX’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Cherokee Limited/Overland’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Encore GX offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Both the Cherokee and the Encore GX offer available heated front seats. The Cherokee Overland also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Encore GX.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the Cherokee Overland keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Encore GX doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Cherokee has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the Encore GX Avenir.

Both the Cherokee and the Encore GX offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Cherokee has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Encore GX doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

The Cherokee Overland’s Automated Parking System can parallel park by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The Encore GX doesn’t offer an automated parking system.