Buick vs Chevy: Which Is More Reliable?

Buick vs Chevy Reliability

Buicks and Chevys are always considered the most reliable cars in the GMC lineup. According to JD Power, the Buick brand has never failed to rank in the top 3 ratings for the, most dependable car brands, competing with top brands like Genesis, Kia, and Toyota.

There isn't much of a different case for Chevys as they are GMC's flagship brand, producing lots of reliable cars across different categories. So between Buick and Chevy, which is more reliable?

Buick is slightly more reliable than Chevy. You're getting higher reliability ratings on Buick, cheaper repair and maintenance costs, and more warranty coverage.

There are a few good things about Chevy. You are getting better resale value and improved fuel efficiency. Engine performance is relative to both brands and is dependent on the model that you choose.

In this article, we'll compare Buick vs. Chevy reliability to help you make informed decisions.

Buick vs. Chevy Reliability: A Detailed Comparison

FeaturesChevyBuick
Design
Expressive and Distinguished; Aggressive and edgier
Safety, Quality, Innovation - evolving technology
Gas Mileage
Good
Better
Safety
High Safety Ratings
High Safety Ratings
Repair and Maintenance Cost
Cheaper
Cheap
Technology
Good
Good
Engine Performance
Good
Good
Durability
Buick cars can last 200,000 - 300,000 miles, with an average lifespan of 13 years of extensive use.
Chevy cars last up to 200,000 to 250,000 miles with an average lifespan of 10 to 13 years.

Buick vs. Chevy Reliability: Which is better?

Buick was founded in 1903, while Chevy made its first appearance as a brand in 1911 in the city of Detroit. Both brands exist under the Umbrella, basking in the glories of popularity and dependability as some of the best brands in America.

However, it's a hard tie between Buick and Chevy because whichever brand you choose between these brands, you are getting great value for your money.

In a close comparison between the reliability of Buick and Chevy, we've concluded that Buick is slightly better. Buick has sustained a consistent track record of reliability, maintaining impressive reliability ratings for more than a decade now.

According to RepairPal, Chevy has a reliability rating of 3.5/5.0, ranking 20th out of 32 car brands. Buick takes the lead by taking the 13th with a reliability rating of 3.5/5.0. Buick ranks 11th on the consumer reports reliability survey, while Chevy is in the 20th position.

According to the 2022 JD Power dependability survey, Buick is the second most dependable car brand, just slightly behind Kia's dependability, with 147 problems per 100 vehicles. Chevys isn't bad either. They are higher than the industry average but settle on the 10th position with 171 problems per 100 vehicles.

Although it's a clear win for Buick in terms of reliability ratings, we'll need to study the features and packages available on the different models of these brands.

One of the noticeable differences between Chevy and Buick is their warranty coverage. Chevy has a basic warranty coverage of 3 years/36,000 miles and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. Buick steps up with a 4-years/50,000-mile basic warranty and a 6-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Aside from the increased warranty coverage, Buick offers cheaper repair and maintenance costs. However, with Chevy, you are assured of better gas mileage.  Chevy vehicles also have better resale value. Engine performance is relative to both brands.

Buick vs. Chevy Reliability: Design

When considering the design reliability of car brands, we are careful not to limit our comparisons to the beauty of vehicles from these brands. It is important to compare their build quality, design philosophy, and elements integrated into their development.

Chevy's design philosophy focuses on the need to uplift quality, safety, and innovation. Each vehicle is an attempt to protect, care for, and evolve the technology.

With Chevy, you are assured of getting vehicles that will take you anywhere you wish to go. On the other hand, Buick adopts an ever-changing design that adapts to changes and innovation.

For instance: the new Buick design philosophy shifts from the representation of soft lines to adopting aggressive styles. This new design is visible in the new Buick Electra-X and Wildcat concepts.

The new Buick design philosophy adopts expressive and distinguished forms, integration of sharp lines, and styling. With Buick, you are getting authentic, logical, and essential designs. There are dynamic proportions and clean minimalistic that uphold functionality and aerodynamism.

The truth is, even with the different design approaches by both brands, you are sure of getting vehicle quality. Cargo space, headroom, and legroom depend on the model that you choose from both brands.

Winner: Both

Buick vs. Chevy Reliability: Engine and Performance

It's an almost tie for Buick and Chevy regarding the reliability of the engines equipped on their vehicles. However, because Dodge and Buick have almost the same engine power, it is justifiable to put them in the same position.

But, there's a clear difference in the engines of Buick and Chevy: Chevys are more fuel-efficient, but the engine power is almost the same as the difference lies in the model that you choose.

For instance: the 2022 Chevy Blazer gets 228 hp, just like the 2022 Buick Envision. However, it's a different story for the 2022 Buick Encore vs. the 2023 Chevy Trailblazer.

The Chevy Trailblazer offers dual engine options 1.2-liter, 3-cylinder engines and 1.3-liter, 3 cylinder engines which offer 137 and 155 hp, respectively. This is better compared to the Buick Encore that runs on a 1.4-liter, 4-cylinder engine, which returns 155hp.

The 2022 Buick Encore and the 2022 Chevy Trax also have the same engine power. Both are equipped with a 1.4L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, so you can expect 155 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque from both vehicles.

The 2022 Buick Enclave and the 2022 Chevy Traverse both get 310hp, but the 2021 Buick Envision beats the Chevy Equinox with a 228 hp engine as against Chevy's 170hp.

However, the 2022 Chevy Equinox steps to a 175 hp engine beating the 2022 Buick Encore's 155 hp engine.

Winner: Both

Buick vs. Chevy Reliability: Gas Mileage

Although Buick and Chevy are almost the same regarding engine performance, you'll get better gas mileage from Chevy vehicles than Buick.

The 2022 Buick Encore returns a gas mileage of 24/32 for city and highway, but the Chevy Trailblazer returns 29/31 MPG. This is the same issue when compared with the 2023 Chevy Equinox. The Equinox returns a gas mileage of 26/31 mpg which is still better than what the Buick Encore offers.

The 2021 Chevy Equinox returns a gas mileage of 25/30 mpg for city and highway, which beats the 22/29 mpg that the 2021 Buick Envision offers.

The 2022 Buick Enclave gets 18/26 mpg, while the 2022 Chevy Traverse gets 18/27 mpg.

The list is endless as Chevy keeps offering more fuel efficiency than what Buick offers. However, there are rare occasions where Buick wins Chevy with better gas mileage. For instance, the 2022 Buick Envision has a fuel economy rating of 24/31 mpg, while the 2022 Chevy Blazer is 22/29 mpg.

Winner: Chevy

Buick vs. Chevy Reliability: Safety and Technology

Both Buick and Chevy offer a range of safety features and technologies. The technologies slightly differ in both brands, but the results are almost the same.

You'll feel safe in Buicks, just as much as you will in Chevys. Both Chevy and Buick have only one vehicle earning the IIHS Top Safety Pick (+) award.

Here's a list of safety features available on Buick:

  • Front Pedestrian Braking
  • Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert
  • Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning
  • Rear Cross Traffic Alert
  • Automatic Emergency Braking
  • Forward Collision Alert
  • Following Distance Indicator
  • IntelliBeam (lightning)

And lots more.

Here's a list of safety systems on Chevy vehicles:

  • Rear Cross Traffic alert
  • Forward collision alert & automatic emergency braking
  • Intellibeam
  • Adaptive Cruise Control
  • Front pedestrian braking
  • Rear Vision Camera
  • Lane keep assist with lane departure warning
  • High Definition Surround Vision
  • Following distance indicator
  • Lane Change Alert with side blind zone alert

And lots more.

You must understand that the availability of these features depends on the model and trim level that you choose from any of these brands.

Technology isn’t lacking in either car. From advanced sound systems and navigation to even driver assistance systems, you're getting enough features to make you comfortable and safe.

Winner: Both

Buick vs. Chevy Reliability: Repair and Maintenance Costs

Repair and maintenance cost remains a crucial factor to consider when deciding the reliability of a car brand. This decision will help you decide how much it will cost you to keep a particular car running for a specific period.

According to RepairPal, the average annual repair cost for a Buick is $608, while the average annual repair cost for a Chevy is $649. However, these costs can vary depending on the specific model, age of the vehicle, and extent of damage to the vehicle.

Winner: Buick

Conclusion

Buick is slightly more reliable than Chevy, but this win comes at a slight margin. Aside from the higher reliability ratings and better warranty coverage, Buick wins Chevy with better, cheaper repair and maintenance costs.

However, with Chevy vehicles, you are getting more fuel-efficient systems. You'll also get more resale value from Chevy compared to Buick.

The decision between choosing lies in what your needs are. If you're concerned about overall reliability, then you should go for Buick, but if you want a balance with fuel-efficient systems, then Chevys are your best bet.

However, it is important to mention that reliability ratings can vary across the different models available on these brands, so you need to narrow your search down to even trim levels.