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Chevrolet Trax vs Buick Encore: fuel economy and fuel cost

In model year 2026 the Chevrolet Trax and the Buick Encore cost the same to fuel: about $2,180 a year for the lowest-cost configuration of each (Trax FFV, 30 MPG combined, and Encore GX FFV, 30 MPG combined).

Both come from the same maker or parent group. Costs assume 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel and electricity prices for both vehicles, using the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Each figure is rounded to $10 and every difference is calculated from the rounded values.

Illustration: Wagons
  • Gas
  • Wagons

Chevrolet Trax

Lowest fuel cost configuration

Trax FFV

30 MPG
Combined
28 MPG
City
32 MPG
Highway
Annual fuel cost
$2,180

$14.53 per 100 miles

15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

2 configurations in MY2026

Illustration: Small SUVs
  • Gas
  • Small SUVs

Buick Encore

Lowest fuel cost configuration

Encore GX FFV

30 MPG
Combined
30 MPG
City
31 MPG
Highway
Annual fuel cost
$2,180

$14.53 per 100 miles

15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

3 configurations in MY2026

What the fuel costs

Annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration

  • Chevrolet Trax$2,180 a year · $14.53 per 100 mi
  • Buick Encore$2,180 a year · $14.53 per 100 mi

Difference per year

Same

The rounded annual costs are equal

Head to head, MY2026

Chevrolet Trax and Buick Encore compared on their lowest fuel cost configuration
Measure Chevrolet Trax Buick Encore
Lowest-cost configuration Trax FFVEncore GX FFV
Powertrain GasGas
Combined rating 30 MPG30 MPG
City rating 28 MPG30 MPG (better)
Highway rating 32 MPG (better)31 MPG
Annual fuel cost $2,180/yr$2,180/yr
Cost per 100 miles $14.53$14.53
Annual cost range, all configurations $2,180–$2,250$2,180–$2,420
Configurations in MY2026 23
EPA class WagonsSmall SUVs

Best configuration by powertrain

Lowest-cost configuration of each powertrain, Chevrolet Trax and Buick Encore
Powertrain Chevrolet Trax Buick Encore
Gas 30 MPG · $2,180/yr Trax FFV 30 MPG · $2,180/yr Encore GX FFV

Each cell shows the combined rating and the annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration with that powertrain.

Where each one comes out ahead

Generated from the numbers above, comparing the lowest fuel cost configurations. No subjective judgements.

Chevrolet Trax

  • Higher highway rating: 32 MPG vs 31 MPG

Buick Encore

  • Higher city rating: 30 MPG vs 28 MPG

Level on: annual fuel cost ($2,180), combined rating (30 MPG)

Year by year

Combined rating and annual fuel cost by model year, Chevrolet Trax and Buick Encore
Model year Chevrolet Trax Buick Encore
CombinedPer yearCombinedPer year
2026 29–30 MPG $2,180–$2,250 27–30 MPG $2,180–$2,420
2025 29–30 MPG $2,180–$2,250 27–30 MPG $2,180–$2,410
2024 30 MPG $2,190 27–30 MPG $2,180–$2,410
2022 26–27 MPG $2,420–$2,510 26–30 MPG $2,170–$2,510
2021 26–28 MPG $2,330–$2,520 26–31 MPG $2,130–$2,520
2020 26–28 MPG $2,330–$2,520 26–31 MPG $2,130–$2,520
2019 26–28 MPG $2,330–$2,540 26–28 MPG $2,300–$2,540
2018 27–28 MPG $2,310–$2,470 27–30 MPG $2,190–$2,470
2017 27–28 MPG $2,310–$2,460 27–30 MPG $2,190–$2,460
2016 27–29 MPG $2,250–$2,450 26–30 MPG $2,190–$2,510
2015 27–29 MPG $2,250–$2,450 26–28 MPG $2,330–$2,510

Earlier model years are costed with today's fuel prices, so the table shows how each model's efficiency changed, not what fuel cost at the time. Ranges cover every configuration of that model year.

Frequently asked questions

Which is cheaper to fuel, the Chevrolet Trax or the Buick Encore?

They cost the same: about $2,180 a year each. That compares the lowest-cost configuration of each in model year 2026 at 15,000 miles a year with the same fuel prices.

Which has the better fuel economy rating, the Chevrolet Trax or the Buick Encore?

Both are rated 30 MPG combined. City: 28 MPG vs 30 MPG. Highway: 32 MPG vs 31 MPG. These are the EPA ratings of each model's lowest-cost configuration.

How is the annual fuel cost calculated?

Distance of 15,000 miles a year at the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Gasoline is priced at $4.36/gal (EIA U.S. average for regular, Sep 2026) and electricity at 18.3¢/kWh (EIA U.S. residential average, Jul 2026); premium and diesel configurations use their own EIA prices. Each result is rounded to $10, and differences are calculated from the rounded figures.

Are the Chevrolet Trax and the Buick Encore in the same class?

The EPA classes the Chevrolet Trax as Wagons and the Buick Encore as Small SUVs, so they are listed as models from the same maker or group.

Explore these cars

More comparisons

EPA ratings: fueleconomy.gov file of Sep 29, 2026 · Prices: EIA regular gasoline, U.S. avg, Sep 2026 ($4.36/gal); residential electricity, U.S. avg, Jul 2026 (18.3¢/kWh) · 15,000 mi/yr, 55% city, same prices for both vehicles