Is the Buick Encore GX more reliable than the Toyota C-HR?

Based on our data, the Buick Encore GX is more reliable with an average score of 76/100 compared to 74/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the Buick Encore GX or the Toyota C-HR?

Both have 6 recalls across their tracked years. Review individual year pages for details on what each recall covers.

Which has fewer owner complaints, the Buick Encore GX or the Toyota C-HR?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Buick Encore GX has a lower complaint rate at 6.4 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 25.6 for the Toyota C-HR. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Is the Buick Encore GX or Toyota C-HR safer?

Based on NHTSA crash test ratings, the Buick Encore GX has a higher overall safety rating of 5/5 stars compared to 4/5 for the Toyota C-HR. Check sub-ratings (frontal, side, rollover) above for a more detailed safety comparison.

Last updated: 2026-07-26

Buick Encore GX vs Toyota C-HR: Reliability Compared

More Reliable

Buick Encore GX

Good

Toyota C-HR

Good

Choosing between the Buick Encore GX and the Toyota C-HR? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two compact suvs.

Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Buick Encore GX currently leads with an average score of 76/100 compared to 74/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Buick Encore GX and Toyota C-HR Generations Compare?

As of 2026, the Buick Encore GX is currently in its first generation, which began in 2020. It received a significant refresh in 2024. Being in the latter part of its generation cycle, the Encore GX benefits from a mature platform, which typically results in well-sorted reliability as initial issues have often been addressed over time. The Toyota C-HR, on the other hand, entered its second generation in 2023, following a first generation that ran from 2018 to 2022 and included a facelift in 2020. The C-HR is early in its new generation cycle, where first-year models can sometimes experience teething problems. Buyers may find the Encore GX more reliable due to its established platform.

Verdict

The Buick Encore GX is more reliable than the Toyota C-HR, scoring 76/100 vs 74/100.

Both the Buick Encore GX and Toyota C-HR have an identical average reliability score of 76/100 and share the same number of recalls, with six each over their respective years. However, the Encore GX shows a significantly lower owner complaint rate of 6.4 per 10,000 vehicles sold compared to the C-HR's 25.6, indicating fewer reported issues relative to its sales volume. While independent repair cost estimates for the Encore GX are unavailable, the C-HR's annual repair costs are estimated at $441. Given these factors, the Buick Encore GX emerges as the slightly more reliable choice, primarily due to its lower complaint rate.

Key Differences

1Buick Encore GX has 19.2 fewer complaints per 10k sold
2Buick Encore GX scores 2 points higher in reliability
3Buick Encore GX has a 1-star higher safety rating

Category Scoreboard

3Buick Encore GX

—

0Toyota C-HR

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateSafety Rating

Buick Encore GX vs Toyota C-HR: Which Is More Reliable?

Buick Encore GX vs Toyota C-HR at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Buick Encore GX	Toyota C-HR
Reliability Score	76/100	74/100
Years Tracked	7	5
Total Recalls	6	6
Complaints per 10k Sold	6.4	25.6
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2026 NHTSA	2022 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	0	3

What Are the Common Problems With the Buick Encore GX and Toyota C-HR?

The Buick Encore GX and Toyota C-HR exhibit distinct problem profiles, with the Toyota C-HR showing a significant concentration of issues in the power train category, accounting for 305 complaints and 4 linked to crashes. In contrast, the Buick Encore GX has a more evenly distributed complaint profile across several systems, with the most complaints in the power train (47), followed by the electrical system (40). Notably, the C-HR has a critical safety concern with the air bags, as all 7 complaints are crash-linked, while the Encore GX has fewer safety-related complaints with only 2 crash-linked issues in the service brakes and steering categories. Overall, the C-HR has a higher total number of complaints, particularly in areas crucial for vehicle safety and operation.

Buick Encore GX vs Toyota C-HR common problem areas comparison
Component	Buick Encore GX	Toyota C-HR
POWER TRAIN	1.4Low	16High
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	0.9Very Low	3.3Average
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	1.2Low	1.8Low
ENGINE	0.7Very Low	0.9Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES	0.6Very Low	0.6Very Low
STEERING	0.2Very Low	0.3Very Low
AIR BAGS	0.1Very Low	0.4Very Low
VISIBILITY/WIPER	—None	0.3Very Low
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	0.2Very Low	—None
STRUCTURE	—None	0.2Very Low
PARKING BRAKE	—None	0.2Very Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	—None	0.2Very Low
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	0.1Very Low	—None
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	0.1Very Low	—None
EQUIPMENT	0.1Very Low	—None
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	0.1Very Low	—None
SEAT BELTS	—None	0.1Very Low

Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Buick Encore GX or Toyota C-HR?

Based on independent repair cost data, the Toyota C-HR has an annual repair cost of $441, while the Buick Encore GX lacks specific cost data. However, industry estimates often suggest that Buicks, being a premium brand, could potentially incur higher repair costs. Without concrete data on repair frequency and major repair risk for both models, it's challenging to make a definitive comparison. Nevertheless, the C-HR's known repair costs provide a clearer picture for budgeting. For cost-conscious buyers, the Toyota C-HR presents a more transparent and potentially more economical choice over a five-year period, equating to $2,205, assuming stable repair costs.

How Does Buick Encore GX vs Toyota C-HR Reliability Compare by Year?

Buick Encore GX vs Toyota C-HR year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Buick Encore GX	Toyota C-HR	Edge
2022	74/1001R / 29C	80/1000R / 2C	Toyota C-HR
2021	74/1002R / 50C	77/1001R / 32C	Toyota C-HR
2020	70/1002R / 66C	76/1001R / 55C	Toyota C-HR

Best years to cross-shop: The 2022 Buick Encore GX scored 74/100 and the 2022 Toyota C-HR scored 80/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Buick Encore GX vs the Toyota C-HR?

If you prioritize a quieter ownership experience with fewer complaints from fellow owners, consider the Buick Encore GX. It has a lower rate of owner complaints at 6.4 per 10,000 sold compared to the Toyota C-HR's 25.6. This suggests fewer issues might arise during your time with the vehicle, potentially leading to a more satisfying experience. On the other hand, if you are conscious of maintenance costs and prefer a clearer picture of what you might spend annually, the Toyota C-HR could be the better option. With an independent repair cost estimate of $441 per year, you have a more transparent understanding of potential expenses. Both vehicles share the same reliability score of 76/100 and have six recalls each, so your decision may come down to whether you value lower owner complaints or predictable maintenance costs.

Buick Encore GX vs Toyota C-HR: Common Questions

Is the Buick Encore GX more reliable than the Toyota C-HR?: Based on our data, the Buick Encore GX is more reliable with an average score of 76/100 compared to 74/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Buick Encore GX or the Toyota C-HR?: Both have 6 recalls across their tracked years. Review individual year pages for details on what each recall covers.
Which has fewer owner complaints, the Buick Encore GX or the Toyota C-HR?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Buick Encore GX has a lower complaint rate at 6.4 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 25.6 for the Toyota C-HR. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Is the Buick Encore GX or Toyota C-HR safer?: Based on NHTSA crash test ratings, the Buick Encore GX has a higher overall safety rating of 5/5 stars compared to 4/5 for the Toyota C-HR. Check sub-ratings (frontal, side, rollover) above for a more detailed safety comparison.

More Buick Encore GX comparisons

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More Toyota C-HR comparisons

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How We Calculate Reliability Scores

Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.

Key Ranking Factors

Complaint Severity

NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.

Repair Costs

Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.

Recall Impact

Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.

Issue Diversity

Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.

Scores are grouped into four tiers:

80–100: Excellent— Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
60–79: Good— Reliable with some minor concerns
40–59: Mixed— Notable issues, research before buying
0–39: Risky— Significant problems, proceed with caution

Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.

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