Compare the2026 Buick Encore GXVS 2025 Lexus NX

The Buick Encore GX has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The NX doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Both the Encore GX and the NX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, 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 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Buick Encore GX is safer than the Lexus NX:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Buick Encore GX is safer than the Lexus NX:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

There are almost 4 times as many Buick dealers as there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Encore GX’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Encore GX first among small suvs in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The NX was rated second in its category.

On the EPA test cycle the Encore GX gets better mileage than the NX running its gasoline engine:

Regardless of its engine, regenerative brakes improve the Encore GX’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. Lexus only offers a regenerative brake system on the NX 350h/450h.

Both the Encore GX and the NX have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All Encore GXs have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily. The NX 350h/450h+ doesn’t offer a way to disable start/stop.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Buick Encore GX uses regular unleaded gasoline. The NX 350 AWD requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Encore GX has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The NX doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Buick Encore GX higher (6 out of 10) than the Lexus NX (5 to 6). This means the Encore GX produces up to 6.9 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the NX every 15,000 miles.

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Buick Encore GX 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder AWD, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the NX.

The Encore GX stops much shorter than the NX:

For better traction, the Encore GX’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the NX (245/45R19 vs. 235/60R18).

The Encore GX’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the NX’s standard 60 series tires. The Encore GX’s optional tires have a lower 45 series profile than the NX’s optional 50 series tires.

The Encore GX has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The NX doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The Encore GX offers an optional space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the NX; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed.

The Encore GX AWD handles at .84 G’s, while the NX 350 AWD pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Encore GX AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the NX 450h+ AWD (27.8 seconds @ .6 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .57 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Encore GX’s turning circle is 1.1 feet tighter than the NX’s (36.9 feet vs. 38 feet).

The Buick Encore GX may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 650 to 1200 pounds less than the Lexus NX.

The Encore GX is 1 foot shorter than the NX, making the Encore GX easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the Encore GX uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The NX doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Encore GX uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The NX doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

As tested by Car and Driver while cruising at 70 MPH, the interior of the Encore GX AWD is quieter than the NX 350 AWD (67 vs. 70 dB).

The Encore GX has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the NX with its rear seat up (23.5 vs. 22.7 cubic feet). The Encore GX has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the NX with its rear seat folded (50.2 vs. 46.9 cubic feet).

The Encore GX’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the NX’s (1000 vs. 0 pounds).

The Encore GX AWD can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Encore GX can be unhitched and driven around locally. The NX can’t be towed flat on the ground.

The power windows standard on both the Encore GX and the NX have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Encore GX is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The NX prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Encore GX’s available exterior PIN entry system. The NX doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

Consumer Reports rated the Encore GX’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the NX’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

The Encore GX Avenir has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The NX doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.