Compare the2024 Buick Encore GXVS 2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale

The Buick Encore GX has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Tonale doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Both the Encore GX and the Tonale have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, blind spot warning systems, and available around view monitors.

Buick’s powertrain warranty covers the Encore GX 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Alfa Romeo covers the Tonale. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the Tonale ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

The Encore GX’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Tonale’s (6 vs. 5 years).

There are almost 9 times as many Buick dealers as there are Alfa Romeo dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Encore GX’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Encore GX’s reliability 17 points higher than the Tonale.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Encore GX first among small SUVs in their 2023 Initial Quality Study. The Tonale isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Buick vehicles are more reliable than Alfa Romeo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Buick second in reliability, above the industry average. With 98 more problems per 100 vehicles, Alfa Romeo is ranked 29th.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Buick Encore GX uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Tonale requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

The Encore GX has 2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Tonale (13.2 vs. 11.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Buick Encore GX higher (7 out of 10) than the Alfa Romeo Tonale (6). This means the Encore GX produces up to 1.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Tonale every 15,000 miles.

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Buick Encore GX 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder AWD, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the Tonale.

The Encore GX has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Tonale doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Encore GX stops shorter than the Tonale:

For better traction, the Encore GX Avenir’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Tonale (245/45R19 vs. 235/45R19).

The Encore GX has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Tonale doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The Encore GX has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Tonale; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

For better maneuverability, the Encore GX’s turning circle is 1 foot tighter than the Tonale’s (36.9 feet vs. 37.9 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Encore GX has a 1.9 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Tonale (7.5 vs. 5.6 inches), allowing the Encore GX to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Buick Encore GX may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 900 to 1100 pounds less than the Alfa Romeo Tonale.

The Encore GX is 7.1 inches shorter than the Tonale, making the Encore GX easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the Encore GX uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Tonale doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Encore GX uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Tonale doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Encore GX has a larger cargo volume than the Tonale with its rear seat up (23.5 vs. 22.9 cubic feet).

The Encore GX AWD can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Encore GX can be unhitched and driven around locally. The Tonale can’t be towed flat on the ground.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Buick service is better than Alfa Romeo. J.D. Power ranks Buick fifth in service department satisfaction. With a 71% lower rating, Alfa Romeo is ranked 32nd.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Encore GX’s available exterior PIN entry system. The Tonale doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its SOS Call can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

The Encore GX’s standard Keyless Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, unlock the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Keyless-Enter-n-Go standard on the Tonale doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

When the Encore GX Avenir is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Tonale’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Encore GX Avenir has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Tonale doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Encore GX is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Tonale doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

The Buick Encore GX outsold the Alfa Romeo Tonale by almost 31 to one during 2023.