Choosing a compact SUV in British Columbia usually comes down to matching a trim to how you actually drive: gravel forestry roads, ferry lineups, or a daily commute through the rain. This comparison lines up the 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer and 2026 Buick Encore GX against the newly redesigned 2027 Kia Seltos.

The Trailblazer and Encore GX are current 2026 models from Chevrolet and Buick, each built around a turbocharged engine lineup and a trim ladder that runs from value-focused to fully equipped. The Seltos, redesigned for 2027, is still finishing its Canadian rollout, which gives BC shoppers a head start with the GM duo.

Trailblazer, Encore GX and Seltos Side by Side

Here is how the three compare on trim structure, safety tech, power, and cargo room.

Category	Trailblazer (2026)	Encore GX (2026)	Seltos (2027)
Trim Lineup	LS, LT, RS, ACTIV (FWD or AWD)	Preferred, Sport Touring, Avenir (AWD standard)	LX, EX, EX Premium, X-Line, X-Line Limited
Standard Driver-Assist Suite	Chevrolet Safety Assist, standard on every trim	Buick Driver Confidence, standard on every trim	Forward Collision Avoidance Assist with Junction Turning, standard
Drivetrain Availability	FWD standard; AWD optional on LS/LT, standard on RS/ACTIV	AWD standard on every trim	FWD standard; AWD optional on 2.0L trims
Engine Output (top powertrain)	155 hp / 174 lb-ft (1.3L turbo)	155 hp / 174 lb-ft (1.3L turbo)	190 hp (1.6L turbo)
Max Cargo, Seats Folded	1,540 L	1,422 L	1,817 L
Cargo Behind Rear Seats	716 L	665 L	786 L

Two Turbo Engines Versus One Locked-In Choice Per Trim

The Trailblazer offers a genuine engine choice. The 1.2L turbocharged three-cylinder makes 137 hp and 162 lb-ft in the LS and base LT, paired with FWD and a CVT, and returns 7.8 L/100 km combined. Step up to the 1.3L turbo three-cylinder, standard on RS and ACTIV and available on LT, and output climbs to 155 hp and 174 lb-ft with a 9-speed automatic and AWD.

The Encore GX simplifies that decision. Every trim, from Preferred to Avenir, runs the same 1.3L turbo three-cylinder at 155 hp and 174 lb-ft, paired with a CVT on FWD Preferred models or the 9-speed automatic once AWD is added.

The 2027 Seltos counters with a 1.6L turbocharged four-cylinder rated at 190 hp, paired with an 8-speed automatic. But that extra output is locked to the X-Line and X-Line Limited trims only; shoppers who want a Seltos at the LX, EX, or EX Premium level get the 2.0L four-cylinder and an IVT, with no turbo available at that price point.

The Trailblazer and Encore GX let buyers pick their power and drivetrain without needing to reach the top of a price ladder first.

Standard Safety Tech, Not a Trim-Level Gamble

Every 2026 Trailblazer trim, from LS to ACTIV, ships with Chevrolet Safety Assist: automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, forward collision alert, following distance indicator, and lane keep assist with lane departure warning. The Encore GX matches that with Buick Driver Confidence, standard on Preferred, Sport Touring, and Avenir alike.

The Encore GX backs that core suite with more standard extras across the lineup: – HD Rear Vision Camera on every trim – Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert on every trim – Rear Cross Traffic Alert on every trim – 10-airbag system on every trim

The redesigned Seltos brings its own broad roster, including standard Forward Collision Avoidance Assist with Junction Turning and Blind-Spot Collision Avoidance Assist, plus an available 3D Surround-View Monitor. That is a strong showing for a subcompact SUV. But the GM duo does not ask a shopper to climb toward the top of the lineup to get the core safety suite; it is standard from the entry trim to the top one.

Cargo Room and Everyday Interior Space

Cargo capacity favours the redesigned Seltos on paper: Kia lists 1,817 L with the rear seat folded and 786 L behind the rear seats, ahead of the Trailblazer’s 1,540 L and 716 L, and the Encore GX’s 1,422 L and 665 L. But both GM twins back their smaller cargo areas with a flat-folding front passenger seatback standard on every trim, letting longer gear ride flat from the tailgate to the dash, a setup that turns either one into a hauler when the rear seats alone are not enough.

Matching the Trailblazer and Encore GX to Your Drive

For buyers who want the lowest entry point and the flexibility to pick their own engine, the Trailblazer’s LS and LT trims start with the 137 hp 1.2L turbo, FWD, and a CVT, then step into the 155 hp 1.3L turbo with AWD when winter driving or backroad hauling call for it. RS and ACTIV add dual exhaust and, on ACTIV, an off-road-tuned suspension with a functional skid plate.

For buyers who want all-wheel grip settled before they even look at options, the Encore GX starts every trim, Preferred through Avenir, with AWD standard, a 7-speaker audio system, and an 11-inch touchscreen across the board. Avenir adds a memory driver’s seat, dual-zone climate control, and a hands-free power liftgate for a genuinely upscale cabin.

The 2027 Seltos is still finalizing pricing and fuel economy figures ahead of its Canadian arrival, which keeps the Trailblazer and Encore GX the more finished picture for BC shoppers ready to decide now.

Your Next Compact SUV Starts With the Trailblazer or Encore GX

The 2026 Trailblazer and 2026 Buick Encore GX give Chevrolet and Buick shoppers two distinct takes on the compact SUV, from the Trailblazer’s engine choice and trim spread to the Encore GX’s standard AWD and refined cabin. Both back that up with a driver-assist suite that does not change by trim level.

Visit Island Chevrolet Buick GMC in Duncan to sit in the Trailblazer or Encore GX and find the configuration that fits your driving in British Columbia.