Best Budget SUV: Buick Encore GX or Hyundai Tucson?

Both the Encore GX and the Tucson inhabit the ever-popular subcompact crossover segment of the market—they’re on the smaller side compared to other SUV, which grants them carlike performance and solid fuel economy without completely sacrificing storage space and versatility. It’s easy to see why they’re so popular, especially with families. 

But which one is better overall for car buyers near Pace, FL? To find out, we combed through all the details and put together an SUV comparison. Here’s the 2025 Buick Encore GX vs. the 2025 Hyundai Tucson. 

Price 

One of the main draws of these crossovers is their budget-friendly price tags, especially considering the laundry list of standard features they come with.

The 2025 Buick Encore GX comes in three available trims: 

• Preferred: Starting at $27,295 

• Sport Touring: Starting at $28,495 

• Avenir: Starting at $32,795 

The 2025 Hyundai Tucson has five available trims: 

• SE: Starting at $28,605 

• SEL: Starting at $30,465 

• SEL Convenience: Starting at $32,915 

• XRT: Starting at $32,915 

• Limited: Starting at $38,515 

The Encore GX starts out more than a grand less expensive than the Tucson, but the most striking difference is that the top-tier Encore GX Avenir trim is way less expensive than the comparable Tucson Limited. 

So, does the Tucson somehow justify its inflated price tag with more features? Well… 

Amenities and Tech 

In their review of the 2025 Encore GX, Car and Driver noted, “Buick’s positioning in the market straddles the line between luxury and mainstream, so it’s better equipped than base-level versions of rivals.” So, while the Encore GX may not have materials that’ll surpass super high-end brands, its upholstery and sound insulation are noticeably more refined than a comparably priced Tucson. 

When it comes to technology, the two are a bit more evenly matched. All Encore GX models come with an 11-inch HD color touch screen, while the Tucson gets a slightly larger 12.3-inch center display. Both come standard with wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, SiriusXM, multiple USB ports, and in-car Wi-Fi capability. Both also can be optioned with wireless device charging and a Bose premium sound system. 

It’s a close call, but the Encore GX’s lower price tag means that you can get more bang for your buck; shoppers can even spring for additional upgrade packages and still pay less than they would for a decked-out Tucson. 

Safety Features 

Both vehicles come with a strong selection of standard driver assistance features. 

The 2025 Encore GX gets Automatic Emergency Braking, Front Pedestrian Braking, Forward Collision Alert, Following Distance Indicator, Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, HD Rear Vision Camera, Buckle to Drive, Rear Seat Reminder, and Teen Driver. 

Standard 2025 Tucson features include Smart Cruise Control (SCC) with Stop & Go, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Blind-Spot Collision Warning, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Following Assist, Driver Attention Warning, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, and Safe Exit Warning. 

Both SUVs also have excellent overall safety ratings from the NHTSA, with five stars for the 2024 model year. So, we can call this one a wash. 

Performance 

The 2025 Encore GX has two available engines. The ECOTEC 1.2-liter comes standard in the Preferred trim and gets 30 MPG in the city and 31 on the highway when paired with front-wheel drive. The ECOTEC 1.3-liter gets about 30 MPG combined and puts out 155 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque. 

The Tucson has but one engine option, a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder that gets 25 MPG in the city and 33 on the highway (with front-wheel drive). 

Both can also be bought with all-wheel drive, which boosts stability but results in a slight decrease in gas mileage. 

So, while the Tucson is rated for slightly better fuel economy on the open road, both Encore GX engine options have better combined ratings, which gives it the edge overall. It should also be noted that, while the Tucson has available hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains, these models will cost significantly more, offsetting the gas savings. 

2025 Buick Encore GX for Sale Near Cantonment, FL 

If you’re looking for the most affordable compact SUV with the best features, the Encore GX offers excellent value and beats the competition with ease. 

At Buick GMC Pensacola, we also offer tons of other ways to save money, including special offers on new vehicles and credit assistance programs to make sure you get the best payment possible. 

Ready to start shopping for your dream ride? Contact us online or give us a call at (850) 344-1523 today.