2021 Lexus GX 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 (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 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. Pricing ranged from $24,200 to $30,600, with the test model featuring the Essence trim and a 1.3-liter engine priced at $35,065 after options and destination charges. 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 quality met expectations for the small SUV segment, 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, further detracting from the overall experience.

The 2021 Lexus GX 460's styling reflected its long tenure on the market, retaining the same basic body shell from a decade ago with updates like the spindle grille and triple-beam LED headlights. The 2021 model didn't see any styling changes, but silver 18-inch wheels became standard on the Premium trim. Despite its age, the GX's design remained coherent and distinctive, appealing to SUV shoppers with its tough, aggressive look.

However, the interior didn't meet modern luxury SUV standards. The wood trim felt like molded plastic, and there was an abundance of actual plastic. Standard leather upholstery was a plus, with semi-aniline leather available on the Luxury trim. The interior ergonomics were outdated, with limited legroom and an awkward steering wheel position. The dashboard shape and boxy profile provided excellent outward visibility, but forward visibility was limited by the tall hood. Storage space was limited, and the third row was best suited for children, with difficult access and minimal cargo space when in use.

The 2021 Buick Encore GX offered 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 driving, though torque steer was noticeable with FWD. The FWD models featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT), while AWD models had a nine-speed automatic transmission and a Watt’s linkage rear suspension.

The ride quality of the FWD test car was inconsistent, feeling brittle over poorly maintained roads, soft over speed humps, and bouncy over bumps and dips. Despite Buick's QuietTuning efforts, the cabin wasn't particularly quiet. The Encore GX handled corners well and had good braking performance, but the steering effort was light, making it easy to drive and maneuver. Fuel economy averaged 28.2 mpg, slightly below the EPA estimate.

The 2021 Lexus GX 460 featured a 4.6-liter V8 engine producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The V8 provided strong acceleration from a stop, but the GX's 5,130-pound weight was noticeable at higher speeds, requiring careful planning for merging and overtaking. Stopping also required advanced planning, and the ride quality was typical of a body-on-frame vehicle, with low grip and body roll in corners.

The GX excelled in off-road capability, with a Torsen center differential, low-range 4WD, and driver aids like hill-descent control and hill-start assist. The optional Off-Road Package added features like a transmission cooler, fuel-tank protector, multi-view camera system, Crawl Control, and Multi-Terrain Select. The GX had 8.1 inches of ground clearance and respectable approach, departure, and break-over angles. It could tow up to 6,500 pounds when properly equipped.

The 2021 Buick Encore GX offered supportive front seats with power adjustments and heating, but the back seat was less comfortable, especially for taller passengers. 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 test vehicle featured a hands-free power liftgate and a fold-flat front passenger seat for carrying long items.

The 2021 Lexus GX's interior ergonomics were outdated, with limited legroom and an awkward steering wheel position. The dashboard shape and boxy profile provided excellent outward visibility, but forward visibility was limited by the tall hood. Storage space was limited, and the third row was best suited for children, with difficult access and minimal cargo space when in use. The GX had more first-row legroom on paper, but it wasn't generous in practice. Cargo space with the second and third rows folded was 64.7 cubic feet, less than the Land Rover Discovery's 73.0 cubic feet.

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, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and steering wheel-mounted stereo controls. The test vehicle also had a navigation system, natural voice recognition, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, a high-definition surround-view camera, and wireless smartphone charging. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with quick response, impressive voice recognition, and pleasing graphics.

The 2021 Lexus GX was light on tech features, with standard Bluetooth, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant connectivity, but no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. The standard infotainment system had outdated graphics and limited functions, with a separate display for time and temperature. However, Lexus included analog controls for most functions, providing a refreshing alternative to touchscreen-based interfaces.

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 also featured Teen Driver technology, automatic collision notification, and a Tire Fill Alert system. 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 Lexus GX 460 came standard with the Lexus Safety System+, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. However, the GX lacked some safety features available in other Lexus and Toyota models, such as traffic-sign recognition and Lane Tracing Assist. The NHTSA and IIHS had not published crash-test ratings for the 2021 GX 460.