2021 Buick Encore GX vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2021 Buick Encore GX was a significant improvement in styling over its predecessor, the original Encore. The new model had a sleek and well-proportioned design, free from any awkward lines. Available in three trim levels—Preferred, Select, and Essence—the Encore GX also offered a Sport Touring (ST) package for a sportier look. 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 to $30,600, with our test model, an Essence trim with the 1.3-liter engine, coming in at $35,065 after options and destination charges. Despite its high price, Buick offered significant discounts for current GM customers and attractive lease deals for non-GM owners.

Inside, the Encore GX's cabin met the expected quality levels for a small SUV, though it fell short in some areas. The interior design wasn't as clean as the exterior, and the analog gauges were hard to read due to their small markings. The head-up display (HUD) vibrated on anything but smooth pavement, detracting from the overall refinement. Additionally, the fuel gauge indicator lights were difficult to see in direct sunlight. Despite these issues, the Encore GX offered a decent driving experience, especially on narrow, winding roads where its nimble size and engine torque shone.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport, a smaller sibling to the highly anticipated Bronco, captured some of the rugged styling cues of its larger counterpart while focusing more on suburban and everyday driving. The Bronco Sport featured a modern retro look, reminiscent of the Land Rover lineup, with short front and rear overhangs designed for trail driving. The front grille and tailgate prominently displayed the "BRONCO" name, with a smaller "SPORT" postscript. The SUV came with various wheel options, from 17-inch Sparkle Silver wheels on the Base model to 18-inch machined-face aluminum Ebony Black-painted wheels on the Outer Banks model. The Badlands and First Edition models featured all-terrain tires for enhanced off-road capability.

Inside, the Bronco Sport offered a tastefully rugged design with an uncluttered layout. The center stack included several convenient storage cubbies and an 8-inch infotainment screen. The interior trim varied by model, with options ranging from cloth seats to leather-trimmed, heated sport-contour bucket seats. The cargo area was designed to accommodate active lifestyles, with enough space to hold two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes and various factory and aftermarket accessories for transporting outdoor gear. The roof could support up to 150 pounds, and the 2.0-liter engine models could tow up to 2,200 pounds.

The 2021 Buick Encore GX offered two turbocharged three-cylinder engines. The standard 1.2-liter engine produced 137 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 162 pound-feet of torque at 2,500 rpm, providing adequate acceleration for the 3,000-lb. SUV. However, the 1.3-liter engine was the preferred choice, delivering 155 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 174 pound-feet of torque at just 1,600 rpm. This engine was available with both FWD and AWD, depending on the trim level. The FWD models featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT), while the AWD models used a nine-speed automatic transmission.

Despite the turbocharged engines, the Encore GX's driving experience was best described as adequate. It could cruise comfortably at 80 mph on the freeway, but the ride quality was inconsistent, feeling too brittle over poorly maintained roads and too bouncy over bumps. Buick's QuietTuning efforts, including an acoustic laminated windshield and active noise cancellation, didn't entirely eliminate interior noise. The Encore GX handled well on narrow, winding roads, thanks to its nimble size and decent tire grip. However, it lacked the refinement expected of a premium-brand SUV, especially compared to its corporate twin, the Chevrolet Trailblazer. Fuel economy averaged 28.2 mpg, slightly below the official EPA estimate.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered two engine choices, tied to trim levels. The Base, Big Bend, and Outer Banks models featured a 1.5-liter EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder engine, producing 181 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque. The Badlands and First Edition models came with a 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 245 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. All models were equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission and AWD, along with a terrain management system with up to seven G.O.A.T. modes (Go Over Any Type of Terrain).

The Bronco Sport excelled off-road, thanks to its short wheelbase, four-wheel independent suspension, and generous suspension travel. It handled groomed trails and designed obstacles with ease, making it a capable off-roader. On pavement, the Bronco Sport had good manners, with the 2.0-liter engine providing a better match for its character. The 1.5-liter engine could feel strained when pressed hard, but overall, the Bronco Sport offered a balanced driving experience for both on-road and off-road conditions.

The 2021 Buick Encore GX provided a high seating position, with supportive front seats that were comfortable for long drives. The test vehicle featured a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat, an 8-way power-adjustable front passenger's seat, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. However, the rear seats were less comfortable, with a low, flat cushion and a reclined seatback angle. Taller passengers would find their legs pressed against the front seatbacks, and there were no rear air conditioning vents.

Interior storage was quite good, with a trunk capacity of 23.5 cubic feet, including storage space under the floor. Folding the back seat increased the volume to 50.2 cubic feet. The test vehicle had a hands-free power liftgate option, which was deemed unnecessary, and a standard fold-flat front passenger seat for carrying long items. Overall, the Encore GX offered practical interior space, though the rear seats could be more comfortable.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport catered to active buyers with clever features and ample cargo space. The cargo area was designed to hold two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes, and Ford offered over 100 factory and aftermarket accessories for transporting outdoor gear. The roof could support up to 150 pounds, and the 2.0-liter engine models could tow up to 2,200 pounds. The rear glass flipped up, and an optional cargo management package added a slide-out work table, a 400-watt inverter, and liftgate floodlamps.

The front cabin featured multiple storage compartments, including big door pockets and covered storage. However, taller drivers might find it challenging to see past the roof overhang to spot traffic lights, and the bulges in the hood could obscure the view of the trail ahead when off-road. Despite these minor complaints, the Bronco Sport's interior was well-designed for both everyday use and outdoor adventures.

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 Buick Connected Services with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The test vehicle also had a navigation system, natural voice recognition, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and a high-definition surround-view camera, thanks to the Advanced Technology Package. Wireless smartphone charging was part of the optional Convenience Package. Despite the added packages, the test car lacked the available 7-speaker Bose premium sound system. The infotainment system offered quick response, impressive voice recognition, and a simple user interface, providing an excellent user experience overall.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport featured the latest versions of Ford's infotainment systems, with an 8-inch touchscreen connecting to SYNC 3. It was compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and had available Ford+Alexa and SiriusXM capability. FordConnect with 4G LTE WiFi hotspot was standard. The base audio system included six speakers, while a Bang & Olufsen sound system was available on higher trims. The Bronco Sport also offered a 360-degree camera with split view and a washer, useful for off-road use.

The terrain management system on the Bronco Sport included up to seven G.O.A.T. modes, adjusting steering, transmission, and throttle response for different conditions. Trail control technology added a cruise-control-like feature for off-roading. Intelligent access with push-button start was included on all trims except the Base model, and higher trims featured heated and leather-wrapped steering wheels and a 6.5-inch digital instrument panel. Overall, the Bronco Sport's technology offerings were comprehensive and well-suited for both on-road and off-road driving.

The 2021 Buick Encore GX came standard with the Buick Driver Confidence suite, which included forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was optional on the Preferred trim and standard on Select and Essence trims. Adaptive cruise control was available, along with Teen Driver technology and a Tire Fill Alert system. The adaptive cruise control's stop-and-go function required manual resumption after a few seconds, and finding the right distance-management setting was challenging. The lane-keeping assist felt unnatural but effective. The Encore GX earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, but the IIHS had not tested it.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport came standard with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite, including pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, auto high-beam headlamps, and a reversing camera. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go and lane centering, evasive steering assist, a voice-activated touchscreen navigation system, and road-sign recognition. Trailer sway control was included with the tow package. AWD and the terrain management system with G.O.A.T. modes enhanced the Bronco Sport's safety. Neither the IIHS nor the NHTSA had released crash-worthiness ratings for the Bronco Sport.