2019 Buick Encore in Las Cruces, NM vs. 2019 Dodge Journey: Which SUV is Superior?
The 2019 Buick Encore entered the midsize SUV market with much fanfare. This highly rated SUV promises to provide a spacious, powerful, and practical ride for buyers everywhere, but can it compete with the 2019 Dodge Journey?
Safety Comparison
On the 35 MPH front crash test administered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the 2019 Dodge Journey proved itself the safer SUV. It received a five-star rating with neck stress of only 250 pounds compared to the 2019 Buick Encore.
Another important test for new vehicles is the side impact tests. Here, the vehicle is crashed into a post at 20mph, and into a flat barrier at 38.5 mph. The results showed that passengers inside the Dodge Journey are much safer in the event of a side impact. It scored five stars, with only 270 lbs. hip force compared to 388 lbs. on the Buick Encore. Overall, the NHTSA awarded four stars to the 2019 Dodge Journey.
The 2019 Dodge Journey also snagged a “Good” score from the IIHS in several crash tests. These include the Moderate Overlap, Roof Strength, Side Impact, and Head Restraints.
Aside from great crash tests, the 2019 Dodge Journey also comes with Rear Parking Sensors and a Standard View Camera that are essential features for seven-passenger SUVs.
Passenger Space Comparison
Are you in need of a car for a growing family? Drivers looking for more than five seats might want to pass on the 2019 Buick Encore. It can only fit five passengers, but the 2019 Dodge Journey has more than enough space for optional seven seating. Likewise, the Journey is larger inside at 121.7 cubic feet versus only 92.8 for the Buick Encore.
With 1.2 inches more front headroom, 1.1 inches more rear headroom, 3.3 inches more front shoulder room, and 4.3 inches more rear shoulder room, you’ll never feel cramped on the 2019 Dodge Journey.
IN addition, if you’re getting ready for a long drive, the Buick Encore may not be your best option; you cannot recline the rear seats on the Encore, which could result in cramped, unhappy passengers. Not only do both the middle and the third row on the Journey recline, but you can also adjust the front seats in six different ways. To keep little ones safe, child booster seats fit well on the second row.
Finally, the 2019 Dodge Journey gives passengers plenty of room for everyone’s small items inside the storage bins, plus 67.6 cubic feet of storage (larger than the Encore in all dimensions) for the rest of your equipment or groceries.
Reliability Comparison
It’s no easy feat to make a reliable, large vehicle in the league of the 2019 Dodge Journey. While the 2019 Buick Encore does the job decently, it falls short of the Dodge Journey.
The Journey boasts of a 160-amp alternator while the Encore only has a 130-amp alternator. The Journey’s stronger alternator reliably powers the ignition and recharges the battery and other systems to help drivers avoid breakdowns on the road.
Speaking of batteries, the battery in the Encore is unsuitably placed in the hot engine compartment, which means its battery life degrades much faster. To prevent this and make the battery last longer, the Journey placed it on the front fender, helping protect from hot temperatures under the hood.
Finally, there are 15% more Dodge dealers than Buick dealers, so it’s easier to keep your vehicle in top shape with regular maintenance and service checks.
Engine Comparison
In all, the Dodge Journey proves to be more powerful under the hood than the Buick Encore. Its 2.4L 4-Cyl produces 173 hp compared to the much lower 138 hp on the Buick.
The Buick Encore is also slower at accelerating than the Dodge Journey. It takes 3.8 seconds to reach 30 MPH, while the Journey only takes 3.2 seconds. During 45 mph to 65 mph passing, the Journey also proved to be faster at 6 seconds versus 6.7 seconds.
Lastly, travel more miles with less fuel in the Dodge Journey. Its 20.5-gallon fuel capacity overtakes the Encore’s 14 gallons, which means more savings at the pump.
The 2019 Dodge Journey may be a classic, but it remains incredibly competitive against newer rivals like the 2019 Buick Encore in Las Cruces, NM. If you’re looking for a roomy, powerful, and value-loaded family SUV, the 2019 Dodge Journey is the car for you!