2020 Audi Q7 vs 2021 Buick Encore GX

The 2020 Audi Q7 offered multiple variations, including the 45 TFSI with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and the 55 TFSI with a mild-hybrid turbocharged 3.0-liter V6. A performance-tuned Audi SQ7 with a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 was also new for 2020. The Q7 55 TFSI, starting at $60,800, was available in Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige trims. The test vehicle, upgraded to Prestige, featured Navarra Blue metallic paint, a Cold Weather Package, and a Towing Package, totaling $74,290. Design updates included new front and rear styling, wheels, and lighting elements, enhancing the SUV's appearance. The interior adopted the high-tech dashboard and instrumentation from the Q8, replacing physical controls with three digital displays. The cabin, decked out in Okapi Brown leather and Gray/Brown Fine Grain Ash wood inlays, exuded an upscale and high-tech vibe, with multi-color ambient lighting adding a soothing ambiance at night.

The 2021 Buick Encore GX impressed with its styling, a significant improvement over the original Encore. Available in base Preferred, mid-grade Select, and top-shelf Essence trims, the Encore GX also offered a Sport Touring (ST) option package. Buyers could choose between front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD), with two turbocharged three-cylinder engines: a 1.2-liter for FWD and a 1.3-liter for both FWD and AWD. Pricing ranged from $24,200 for the Preferred FWD to $30,600 for the Essence AWD. The test model, an Essence trim with the 1.3-liter turbo engine, included extra-cost paint, a power hands-free rear liftgate, and three option packages, totaling $35,065. Despite the high price, Buick offered significant discounts for GM customers and attractive lease deals for non-GM owners. The cabin, though not as refined as the exterior, provided expected quality levels for the small SUV segment, with some ergonomic issues like hard-to-read analog gauges and a vibrating head-up display (HUD).

The 2020 Audi Q7 55 TFSI featured a new 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 engine, producing 335 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, aimed to conserve fuel and improve mileage. The eight-speed automatic transmission and Quattro all-wheel-drive system offered multiple driving modes, including Comfort, Auto, Dynamic, Individual, and Allroad. The Q7 accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds, with a maximum tow rating of 7,700 pounds and an EPA rating of 18 mpg combined. During testing, it averaged 21 mpg on a road trip and 18.1 mpg locally. The Prestige trim included an adaptive air suspension, enhancing ride quality and off-road capability. The Q7 excelled in agility, athleticism, and cabin quietness, making it a well-rounded luxury SUV with responsive acceleration, significant towing capacity, and enjoyable driving dynamics.

The 2021 Buick Encore GX offered two turbocharged three-cylinder engines: a 1.2-liter with 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, and a 1.3-liter with 155 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque. The larger engine, available with FWD or AWD, provided adequate power for freeway cruising and nimble handling on winding roads. FWD models featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT), while AWD models used a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Encore GX's ride quality varied, feeling brittle on urban roads, soft over speed humps, and bouncy over bumps. Despite Buick's QuietTuning efforts, the cabin was not particularly quiet. The Encore GX's handling was flat, and the brakes performed well, though the steering effort was light. Fuel economy averaged 28.2 mpg, slightly below the EPA estimate. Overall, the Encore GX lacked refinement, especially given its premium-brand positioning, but offered decent performance and handling for its size.

The 2020 Audi Q7, with its three rows of seats, was best used as a five-passenger vehicle. The third-row seat, suitable only for young children, required sliding the second-row seats forward and significantly reduced cargo space when in use. With the third row folded, cargo capacity increased to 35.7 cubic feet, and with both rows folded, it reached 69.6 cubic feet. The Q7's cabin was comfortable for a family of four, with agreeable front seats, ample second-row legroom, and features like four-zone climate control and a panoramic sunroof. However, interior storage was limited, with the center console and dashboard screen taking up most of the space, leaving only the glove compartment and door-panel bins for personal items.

The 2021 Buick Encore GX offered supportive front seats with power adjustments and heating, though they lacked lateral bolstering. The back seat was less comfortable, with limited legroom and thigh support, and no rear air conditioning vents. Interior storage was good, with a trunk measuring 23.5 cubic feet, expandable to 50.2 cubic feet with the back seat folded. The test vehicle featured a hands-free power liftgate and a fold-flat front passenger seat for carrying long items. Despite its compact size, the Encore GX provided practical storage solutions and a high driving position.

The 2020 Audi Q7 introduced the Multi-Media Interface (MMI) Touch Response technology, combining a 10.1-inch upper touchscreen with an 8.6-inch lower touchscreen. The system included natural voice recognition, handwriting recognition, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, navigation with Google Earth imagery, and Audi Connect subscription services with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. While the system was generally intuitive, dry fingertips sometimes made virtual buttons unresponsive. The Prestige trim added a full-color head-up display and a Bose premium sound system, though the latter was replaced by a Bang & Olufsen system for 2021.

The 2021 Buick Encore GX Essence featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity for two devices, and Buick Connected Services with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The Advanced Technology Package added navigation, natural voice recognition, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and a high-definition surround-view camera. Wireless smartphone charging was part of the optional Convenience Package. Despite the added features, the test car lacked the available 7-speaker Bose premium sound system. The infotainment system offered quick response, impressive voice recognition, and a user-friendly interface, with useful stereo controls on the steering wheel spokes.

The 2020 Audi Q7's HD Matrix LED headlights provided excellent illumination, though the IIHS rated them as "poor" due to excessive glare. The Q7 included numerous advanced driving-assistance systems (ADAS), with upgrades available in the Executive Package or Prestige trim. Features included Emergency Assist, Turn Assist, and Adaptive Cruise Assist with traffic-jam and lane-centering assistance. However, the traffic-sign-recognition technology and Active Lane Assist proved problematic during testing. The Q7 received the highest IIHS ratings for collision protection, except for the "poor" headlight assessment.

The 2021 Buick Encore GX came standard with Buick Driver Confidence, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on higher trims, and adaptive cruise control was available. The Encore GX also featured Teen Driver technology and a Tire Fill Alert system. During testing, the adaptive cruise control's stop-and-go function required manual reactivation after a few seconds, and finding the right distance-management setting was challenging. The Encore GX earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, though the IIHS had not tested it.