Compare the2022 Toyota Corolla CrossVS 2021 Buick Encore

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Corolla Cross XLE has standard Automatic Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Encore doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Corolla Cross’ standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the Encore and is only available on Encore Preferred.

Both the Corolla Cross and the Encore have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

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

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Corolla Cross for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Buick doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Encore.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Buick vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 2 more problems per 100 vehicles, Buick is ranked fifth.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Buick vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota second in reliability. Buick is ranked fourth.

The Corolla Cross’ 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 31 more horsepower (169 vs. 138) and 2 lbs.-ft. more torque (150 vs. 148) than the Encore’s 1.4 turbo 4-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the Corolla Cross gets better fuel mileage than the Encore:

The Corolla Cross has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Encore doesn’t offer a CVT.

For better stopping power the Corolla Cross’ brake rotors are larger than those on the Encore:

For better traction, the Corolla Cross XLE’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Encore (225/55R18 vs. 215/55R18).

For superior ride and handling, the Corolla Cross AWD 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 has a solid rear axle, with a non-independent rear suspension.

The Corolla Cross has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Corolla Cross flat and controlled during cornering. The Encore’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Corolla Cross’ wheelbase is 3.3 inches longer than on the Encore (103.9 inches vs. 100.6 inches).

For better maneuverability, the Corolla Cross’ turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the Encore’s (35.4 feet vs. 36.7 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Corolla Cross has a 1.9 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Encore (8.1 vs. 6.2 inches), allowing the Corolla Cross to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Corolla Cross has 2.1 inches more front legroom, .9 inches more front hip room and .3 inches more rear headroom than the Encore.

The Corolla Cross has a much larger cargo volume than the Encore with its rear seat up (25.5 vs. 18.8 cubic feet).

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the Corolla Cross offers an optional power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button. The Encore doesn’t offer a power liftgate.

The Corolla Cross has a 1500 lbs. towing capacity. The Encore has no towing capacity.

The Corolla Cross’ power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Encore has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors standard on the Corolla Cross detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The Encore doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

The Corolla Cross’ optional rear view mirror has an automatic dimming feature. This mirror can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on it, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Encore doesn’t offer the luxury of an automatic dimming rear view mirror.

The Corolla Cross XLE has standard heated front seats, which keep the driver and front passenger extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated seats aren’t available in the Encore.

The Corolla Cross XLE’s 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. The Encore doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

The Corolla Cross LE/XLE’s standard automatic temperature control maintains the temperature you set, automatically controlling fan speed, vents and temperature to maintain a consistent, comfortable environment. The Encore doesn’t offer automatic air conditioning.

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

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the Corolla Cross has a standard Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The Encore doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Toyota Corolla LE/XLE has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) for the front seat. The Encore doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Toyota Corolla comes in sedan, four door hatchback and four door bodystyles; the Buick Encore isn’t available as a sedan or four door hatchback.