The Buick Encore vs Mazda CX-3
If you’re in the market for a crossover SUV, then you’re in luck. No other customer class is more pampered by car manufacturers than that of prospective crossover SUV buyers.
Every brand in the industry is trying to outperform its competitors by making increasingly better crossovers, and piling their standard features list with all the tech and comfort-enhancing options you can think of.
Today we’ll compare a locally manufactured crossover, the Buick Encore with one of its foreign competitors, the Mazda CX-3.
Looking at the two, you can see how each company took its own route towards winning the hearts and minds of potential clients. On the one hand, the CX-3 has ample lines that want to create a stylish, elegant shape. On the other, Buick chose to own up to what its car was meant for, and that is becoming a family car. The Encore’s adorkable chic exterior comes in a variety of colors so everyone can find one to match their style. It also has the perfect shape for in-city driving, making parking and jumping in and out of traffic a breeze.
On the inside, both cars look and feel modern, and there's plenty of comfort for every passenger. Worth noting is that the CX-3 has well below class-standard cargo space at a measly 14.4 cubic feet behind its last row, and just 38,2 cubic feet with the last row folded. The same stats for the Encore look far better with 19 and 48 cubic feet, respectively.
Buick fitted the 2020 Encore with a reliable 1.4 liter turbocharged inline-4 that belts out 138 horsepower while Mazda placed a 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-4 with 250 horsepower on their crossover. A better engine that unfortunately delivers horribly little miles per gallon at just 24 combined.
The Encore comes in four trim levels, Preferred, Sport, Touring, and Essence, plus the base model, of course. The list of standard features, though, is truly fit for a 2020 crossover. Every Encore will be fitted with a six-way power-adjustable driver's seat, Bluetooth phone, and audio connectivity, two USB ports, OnStar with the option for a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, and a responsive 8.0-touchscreen equipped with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
The CX-3 does something that's unexplainable for a 2020 car, especially a crossover. It does not offer a touchscreen on any trim, let alone as a standard feature. Something that even entry-level sedans now have as a factory setting is lacking in one of the most competitive car classes in the auto industry. Insert facepalm emoji here, and a look of mild shock.
A tale of how appearances can sometimes be deceiving. If the CX-3 had an exterior design that looked as it would brush the luxury segment, it failed to live up to the hype once you've stepped in. The quirkier, warmer Encore, however, exceeded all expectations to come up on top.
Here at Northwest Hills Chevrolet Buick GMC in Avon Connecticut we have all Encore trims and colors already on stock, so prospective buyers can see the model in all its renditions. Pay us a visit, and our dedicated sales team will be more than happy to arrange for a drive test and answer any questions you might have.