2021 Ford Explorer vs 2021 Buick Encore GX

The 2021 Buick Encore GX was praised for its stylish design, which was a significant improvement over the original Encore. The SUV came in three trim levels: Preferred, Select, and Essence, with an optional Sport Touring package available for all trims. Buyers could choose between front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD), with two turbocharged three-cylinder engines on offer. The 1.2-liter engine was available only with FWD, while the 1.3-liter engine could be paired with either FWD or AWD. The test model featured the Essence trim with the 1.3-liter engine and several upgrades, bringing the MSRP to $35,065. Despite the high price, Buick offered significant discounts for current GM customers and attractive lease deals for non-GM owners.

Inside, the Encore GX's cabin provided expected quality levels for a small SUV, though the interior design wasn't as refined as the exterior. The analog gauges were hard to read, and the head-up display (HUD) vibrated on uneven roads, detracting from the overall experience. The sun's glare made the fuel gauge indicator lights difficult to see. While the Encore GX cornered well and had good brakes, the ride quality was inconsistent, and the interior wasn't particularly quiet. The SUV felt most at home on winding back roads, where its nimble size and engine torque shone. Fuel economy averaged 28.2 mpg, slightly below the EPA estimate.

The 2021 Ford Explorer followed Ford's "small, medium, large, XL" approach to SUV production, bearing a family resemblance to other Ford SUVs. The Explorer's exterior design was sporty and distinctive, with various grille options depending on the trim level. The SUV came in six trims: base, XLT, Limited, Limited Hybrid, ST, and Platinum, with prices ranging from $32,925 to $52,730. The Explorer offered three rows of seats as standard, with cloth upholstery on the base model. The dashboard featured familiar gauges and an 8-inch LCD touchscreen, with large knobs and buttons for the audio system and climate controls. The center console housed a rotary gearshift, freeing up space for storage.

The XLT trim was the most popular, offering better equipment like a power front passenger seat and nicer finishes. Leather upholstery was standard on higher trims. The Explorer's interior was spacious, with 39 inches of legroom for second-row passengers and 21 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row deployed. However, the overall cargo volume with the rear seats folded was less impressive, at 81 cubic feet.

The 2021 Buick Encore GX featured two turbocharged three-cylinder engines. The standard 1.2-liter engine produced 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, while the 1.3-liter engine offered 155 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque. The larger engine was available with both FWD and AWD. The FWD models had a continuously variable transmission (CVT), while the AWD models used a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Encore GX's ride quality was inconsistent, with a brittle feel over poorly maintained roads and a bouncy ride over bumps. Despite Buick's QuietTuning efforts, the interior wasn't particularly quiet. The Encore GX handled well on winding roads, with good cornering and braking performance. Fuel economy averaged 28.2 mpg, slightly below the EPA estimate.

The 2021 Ford Explorer offered a range of powertrains, starting with a 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. The Limited Hybrid trim featured a V6 hybrid drivetrain with 310 horsepower and 331 pound-feet of torque. Higher trims came with a 3.0-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6, delivering 365 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque, while the sport-oriented ST trim offered 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. All trims used a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Explorer's towing capacity ranged from 5,000 to 5,600 pounds, depending on the trim and engine. The Explorer prioritized towing power over engaging performance, making it suitable for towing trailers and other heavy loads.

The 2021 Buick Encore GX offered supportive front seats with power adjustments and heating, but the rear seats were less comfortable, with limited legroom and a low, flat cushion. The trunk provided 23.5 cubic feet of space, expandable to 50.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The test vehicle included a hands-free power liftgate and a fold-flat front passenger seat for carrying long items.

The 2021 Ford Explorer had seating for seven in the base trim, with captain's chairs in the second row for other trims, reducing capacity to six. The second row offered 39 inches of legroom, while the third row provided 21 cubic feet of cargo space when deployed. The overall cargo volume with the rear seats folded was 81 cubic feet, which was less impressive compared to some competitors.

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 test vehicle also had 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 7-speaker Bose premium sound system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with quick response times and impressive voice recognition.

The 2021 Ford Explorer offered an 8-inch touchscreen as standard, with AM/FM radio, SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 4G WiFi hotspot, and Ford's Sync 3 infotainment system. Higher trims featured a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system and a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The Explorer provided multiple charging options, including USB ports and 12-volt power points, with a 110-volt AC power outlet available on higher trims.

The 2021 Buick Encore GX came with Buick Driver Confidence as standard, 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. The Encore GX also featured Teen Driver technology and automatic collision notification. The adaptive cruise control's stop-and-go function required manual reactivation after a few seconds, and the lane-keeping assist felt unnatural. The Encore GX earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.

The 2021 Ford Explorer was rated as a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, with top scores in all crash tests. The Explorer came with Ford Co-Pilot360 as standard, including auto high-beam headlights, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and dynamic brake support. Higher trims offered additional features like adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and speed sign recognition.