2021 Honda CR-V vs 2021 Buick Encore GX

The 2021 Buick Encore GX was praised for its stylish design, a significant improvement over the original Encore, which was often criticized for its awkward proportions. The Encore GX came in three trim levels: Preferred, Select, and Essence, with an optional Sport Touring (ST) package available for all trims. 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. The test model featured the Essence trim with the 1.3-liter engine, but not AWD, and included 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 clean as the exterior. The analog gauges were hard to read, and the head-up display (HUD) vibrated on anything but smooth pavement, highlighting the vehicle's lack of refinement. The sun's glare made the fuel gauge indicator lights difficult to see. Overall, the Encore GX's interior had some shortcomings, especially given its premium price point.

The 2021 Honda CR-V, on the other hand, had a design that blended in with other compact crossovers, with few distinguishing features. The CR-V was available in eight colors, though many were shades of gray, black, or white, with more vibrant colors limited to higher trims. The interior offered black, gray, and ivory cloth or leather, depending on the trim level, with higher trims featuring wood panels and more chrome for an upscale appearance. The CR-V's seats had a modern look with sharp details, but competitors like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson offered more distinctive styling.

The CR-V's interior was designed to fit five people comfortably and carry their gear, boasting 102.9 cubic feet of passenger volume and 75.8 cubic feet of total cargo volume with the rear seats folded. The tailgate options varied by trim, with the Touring trim offering a hands-free version. Roof rails were standard only on the top-of-the-line Touring trim, while Subaru offered them on all but the base model.

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 delivered 155 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque. The larger engine provided adequate power for freeway cruising and nimble handling on winding roads. The FWD models had a continuously variable transmission (CVT), while AWD models used a nine-speed automatic transmission. Despite Buick's QuietTuning efforts, the Encore GX wasn't particularly quiet inside, and the ride quality was inconsistent, feeling brittle over poorly maintained roads and bouncy over bumps.

The 2021 Honda CR-V came with a 190-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine across all trims, providing smooth and steady acceleration. The CR-V's acceleration to 60 mph was around 7.8 seconds, comparable to other compact crossovers. The CR-V used a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which wasn't as engaging as the conventional transmissions offered by competitors like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson. The CR-V's handling and ride quality were decent, with a MacPherson strut front suspension and multi-link rear suspension, similar to other vehicles in its class. AWD was an extra-cost option, except for the Subaru Forester, which offered it as standard.

The 2021 Buick Encore GX had supportive front seats with power adjustments and heating, but the rear seats were less comfortable, lacking thigh support and rear air conditioning vents. The trunk offered 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 Honda CR-V excelled in interior space, with 102.9 cubic feet of passenger volume and 75.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded. The tailgate options varied by trim, with the Touring trim offering a hands-free version. Roof rails were standard only on the top-of-the-line Touring trim, while Subaru offered them on all but the base model.

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 2021 Honda CR-V's base LX trim had a 5-inch color screen with Bluetooth connectivity, while other trims featured a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The audio system varied by trim, with the Touring trim offering a 300-watt system with a subwoofer. Charging ports were plentiful, with USB ports in the front and second rows, and the Touring trim added a wireless phone charger.

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, and adaptive cruise control was available. The Encore GX earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA but had not been tested by the IIHS.

The 2021 Honda CR-V excelled in safety, earning a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and an IIHS Top Safety Pick award. The CR-V's Honda Sensing system included forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, road departure mitigation, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and auto high-beam headlamps as standard features. Blind-spot monitoring was standard on the EX trim and higher.