The compact crossover segment of the auto industry has something for just about everyone, including shoppers who want luxury features with an affordable price tag. The 2025 Encore GX and 2025 CX-30 are two prime examples.
If you’re looking for a ritzy, roomy ride but you don’t want to break the bank, this small SUV comparison is for you.
Key Features
| 2025 Buick Encore GX | 2025 Mazda CX-30 | |
| Starting price | $27,295 | $25,195 |
| Fuel economy (city) | 30 MPG | 26 MPG |
| Fuel economy (highway) | 31 MPG | 33 MPG |
| All-wheel drive | Available | Standard |
| Max cargo space | 50.2 cu ft | 45.2 cu ft |
| Wireless Apple CarPlay® | Standard | Available |
| Wireless Android Auto™ | Standard | Available |
| Teen Driver settings | Standard | Unavailable |
Encore GX vs. CX-30 Pricing
First, let’s check out which of these SUVs gives car shoppers near Davenport the best value.
The 2025 Buick Encore is available in three trims:
- Preferred: $27,295
- Sport Touring: $28,495
- Avenir: $32,795
The 2025 Mazda CX-30 has eight trims to choose from:
- S: $25,195
- Select Sport: $26,850
- S Preferred: $29,140
- S Carbon Edition: $30,140
- S Premium: $32,340
- Carbon Turbo: $33,140
- Turbo Premium: $35,340
- Turbo Premium Plus: $37,150
The CX-30 has the cheapest available price tag, but also the most expensive by far. On the other hand, the Encore GX only has about a $5k spread in terms of pricing, which means shoppers will have an easier time affording its top-of-the-line features.
The Encore GX’s old-school, streamlined trim selection also gives shoppers a more simple and concise way to pick the features they want, while the CX-30’s (somewhat confusing) range requires buyers to do more research to find exactly what they want.
Encore GX vs. CX-30 Performance
The Encore GX and CX-30 are designed with somewhat different driving styles in mind. While the Encore GX is all about maximizing city fuel economy and a smooth, quiet ride, the CX-30 is geared for better highway acceleration and a responsive feel.
The Encore GX has two available engines. The base model comes with a 1.2-liter Turbo 3-cylinder with 137 horsepower, while the upper two trims come with a 1.3-liter Turbo 3-cylinder with 155 horsepower. The former comes with a CVT transmission, and the latter gets a 9-speed automatic, and both can be optioned with either FWD or AWD. It gets up to 30 MPG in the city and 31 MPG on the highway.
The CX-30 also has two engine setups. The base 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine has 191 horsepower, and Turbo trims get a 2.5-liter with a turbocharger, which boosts it to 250 horsepower (although these numbers require premium fuel). It comes standard with AWD. The non-turbo motor gets up to 26 MPG in the city and 33 MPG on the highway, while the beefed-up powertrain drops these numbers down to 22 MPG city and 30 MPG highway.
Encore GX vs. CX-30 Size
They may be compact SUVs, but that doesn’t mean they can’t have an excellent blend of passenger and cargo space to make use of. Here’s a side-by-side peek at their interior dimensions:
| 2025 Encore GX | 2025 CX-30 | |
| Head room (front/rear) | 39.7 / 38.1 in | 38.1 / 38.3 in |
| Shoulder room (front/rear) | 55.4 / 53.6 in | 55.6 / 53.6 in |
| Hip room (front/rear) | 51.9 / 50.7 in | 54.6 / 53.2 in |
| Leg room (front/rear) | 40.9 / 36.0 in | 41.7 / 36.3 in |
| Cargo space (behind 2nd row) | 23.5 cu ft | 20.2 cu ft |
| Cargo space (behind 1st row) | 50.2 cu ft | 45.2 cu ft |
Overall, passenger space is quite close, but interestingly, the Encore GX has significantly more cargo capacity, especially with the rear seats down. Five cubic feet may not sound like much, but it makes a fairly big difference when you’re packing groceries or luggage.
Encore GX vs. CX-30 Features
The truest test of a luxury vehicle is its comfort and infotainment features, and both fill the role nicely, with quality upholstery materials and stylish, ergonomic designs.
The Encore GX comes standard with a continuous display that features an 8.0-inch Driver Information Center and a wide 11.0-inch HD color center touch screen display. Standard features include Bluetooth®, wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, SiriusXM® capability, Wi-Fi hotspot capability, four USB ports, and a noise control system. Wireless phone charging and a Bose premium audio system are also available.
The lower CX-30 trims come with an 8.8-inch center display screen and 7.0-inch LCD digital cluster, plus Bluetooth®, wired Apple CarPlay®/Android Auto™, and two USB ports. The Turbo trims benefit from an upgraded 10.25-inch touch screen display, wireless phone syncing, HD Radio, and wireless device charging.
Encore GX vs. CX-30 Safety
As one would expect from an ultramodern luxury vehicle, both come with a solid list of standard driver assistance features, including:
- Frontal collision alert
- Lane keeping assistance
- Lane departure warning
- Rear cross traffic alert
- Blind zone alert
- Automatic high beams
- Rear view camera
However, both have some features that the other doesn’t. The CX-30 also comes standard with smart cruise control, while the Encore GX has numerous exclusive features like Buckle to Drive and Teen Driver settings.
Lease the Buick Encore GX in Muscatine, IA
If you’re looking for the best luxury compact for the money, you’ll be hard pressed to find one better than the Buick Encore GX. Don’t just take our word for it though—you can schedule a test drive online, then stop by our Buick dealership near Iowa City to try one out for yourself today.
At Ed Morse, we offer some of the best deals around. While you shop, be sure to ask us about our special offers on new vehicles. Reach us at 563-272-2306 or contact us online anytime with any questions.
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