2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar vs 2021 Buick Encore GX

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar was a stylish addition to the Range Rover lineup, positioned between the compact Evoque and the larger Range Rover. Its design was neither too sleek nor too boxy, offering a balanced aesthetic. The Velar featured a low roof and steeply-raked windshield, giving it a unique profile compared to the traditional upright Range Rover. The front end was rounded, and the rear tapered slightly, maintaining its SUV identity with a broad and intimidating front end. The Velar's short front and rear overhangs, along with its ground clearance, made it suitable for off-roading, especially with the optional air suspension. The SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition added sportier styling elements, including larger air intakes, quad exhaust tips, and standard 21-inch wheels. Inside, the Velar's interior was luxurious, with high-quality leather and metal trim, creating a cockpit-like feel that was more suited to urban environments.

In contrast, the 2021 Buick Encore GX was praised for its styling, which was a significant improvement over the original Encore. The Encore GX was available in three trim levels: Preferred, Select, and Essence, with an optional Sport Touring package. Buyers could choose between front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, with two turbocharged three-cylinder engines available. The interior of the Encore GX offered expected quality for a small SUV, though it lacked some refinement. The front seats were supportive, but the rear seats were less comfortable for longer journeys. Interior storage was good, with a trunk capacity of 23.5 cubic feet, expandable to 50.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The Encore GX also featured a fold-flat front passenger seat for carrying long items.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar offered a range of powertrains, with the highlight being the SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition's 5.0-liter supercharged V8 engine, producing 550 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive, allowing the Velar to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds and reach a top speed of 177 mph. Despite its power, the Velar was not the quickest in its class, with competitors like the BMW X3 M Competition and Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S offering faster acceleration. The Velar's aluminum platform provided a solid and refined driving experience, but it felt large on tight roads, making it less agile than some performance SUVs. The Velar also featured off-road capabilities, including Land Rover's Terrain Response system and All-Terrain Progress Control, though it lacked a low range for serious off-roading.

The 2021 Buick Encore GX offered two turbocharged three-cylinder engines, with the 1.3-liter engine being the more powerful option, producing 155 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque. The Encore GX's driving experience was described as adequate, with enough power for highway cruising and light steering for easy maneuverability. Front-wheel-drive models featured a continuously variable transmission, while all-wheel-drive models used a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Encore GX's ride quality was mixed, with a brittle feel over rough roads and a bouncy ride over bumps. Despite Buick's efforts to reduce noise, the cabin was not particularly quiet. The Encore GX excelled on narrow, winding roads, where its nimble size and engine torque were well-suited. Fuel economy was decent, with an average of 28.2 mpg during testing, slightly below the official EPA estimate.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar was positioned between small and midsize luxury SUVs, offering a unique size that felt larger on the road but didn't translate to more interior space. The Velar's cargo space was competitive, with 15.7 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 48.9 cubic feet with the seats folded. The interior design, while stylish, limited headroom and visibility, creating a somewhat claustrophobic feel. The Velar's towing capacity was respectable, with the SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition and V6 models able to tow up to 5,511 pounds.

The 2021 Buick Encore GX offered a high seating position, with supportive front seats that were comfortable for long drives. However, the rear seats were less accommodating, with limited legroom and thigh support. Interior storage was good, with a trunk capacity of 23.5 cubic feet, expandable to 50.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The Encore GX also featured a fold-flat front passenger seat for carrying long items. The test vehicle included a hands-free power liftgate, though it was deemed unnecessary.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar featured the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system, with dual 10.0-inch touchscreens, a WiFi hotspot, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. The upper screen handled smartphone, navigation, and media functions, while the lower screen managed vehicle settings and climate control. The system was praised for its graphics and layout but criticized for slow response times. Additional tech included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a head-up display, and capacitive steering-wheel controls.

The 2021 Buick Encore GX Essence came equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity for two devices, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The test vehicle also included a navigation system, natural voice recognition, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and a high-definition surround-view camera. Despite the added packages, the test car lacked the available Bose premium sound system. The Encore GX's infotainment system was praised for its quick response, voice recognition, and user-friendly interface.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and front and rear parking aids. Adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring were available as part of an option package. The Velar's safety offerings were less sophisticated compared to some competitors, with only lane-keep assist available.

The 2021 Buick Encore GX came standard with Buick Driver Confidence, which included 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. The Encore GX also featured Teen Driver technology and automatic collision notification. The adaptive cruise control system had some limitations, and the lane-keeping assist felt unnatural. The Encore GX earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.