2022 Honda Odyssey 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 referred to as "the shoe" due to 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. Pricing ranged from $24,200 to $30,600, with our test model, an Essence trim with the 1.3-liter engine, priced at $35,065 after options and destination charges.

Despite its attractive exterior, the Encore GX's interior had some drawbacks. The cabin quality was typical for the small SUV segment, but the design wasn't as clean as the exterior. Analog gauges were hard to read, and the head-up display (HUD) vibrated on anything but smooth pavement. Additionally, the fuel gauge indicator lights were difficult to see in direct sunlight. These issues detracted from the overall refinement expected at its price point.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey, while adhering to the classic minivan design, offered a sense of style with its kinked sliding doors and hockey-stick character lines. The Elite trim level, which we tested, featured dark gray 19-inch aluminum wheels. The Odyssey lineup included the base LX, EX, EX-L, Touring, and Elite trims, with prices ranging from $33,040 to $48,770, excluding the destination charge. Our Odyssey Elite had no options, bringing its total to $49,995.

Inside, the Odyssey Elite boasted quality leather, supportive front seats with power adjustment, heating, and ventilation, and a tri-zone automatic climate control system. The minivan's interior was designed for practicality, with numerous storage spaces and a low console between the front seats. The second-row Magic Slide seats allowed for various configurations, enhancing convenience and safety. The third-row seat was comfortable for adults, and the cargo space was impressive, offering 32.8 cubic feet behind the third row, 88.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 144.9 cubic feet with the second row removed.

The 2021 Buick Encore GX featured 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, available with FWD in Select and Essence trims or with AWD in any trim, was the preferred choice. It delivered 155 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 174 pound-feet of torque at just 1,600 rpm.

Despite the turbocharged engines, the Encore GX's driving experience was described as adequate. The FWD models used a continuously variable transmission (CVT), while AWD models had a nine-speed automatic transmission. 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 make the cabin particularly quiet. The Encore GX's handling was decent, with flat cornering and good brakes, but the steering effort was light, making it easy to maneuver.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Unlike some competitors, the Odyssey didn't offer all-wheel drive or an electrified powertrain, resulting in an EPA fuel economy estimate of 22 mpg in combined driving. During our test drive, the Odyssey averaged 22.6 mpg.

The Odyssey's driving experience was enjoyable, with quick acceleration, responsive handling, and remarkable composure on mountain roads. However, repeated use of the brakes on downhill grades caused pedal vibration and an audible grumble, especially when the van was fully loaded. Despite this issue, the Odyssey remained a delightful vehicle to drive, offering a balance of performance and practicality.

The 2021 Buick Encore GX offered a high seating position and supportive front seats, though they lacked lateral bolstering. The test vehicle featured a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, 8-way power-adjustable front passenger’s seat, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The back seat, however, was less comfortable, with limited legroom and a low, flat cushion. 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 also had a fold-flat front passenger seat for carrying long items.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey provided easy access with wide-opening doors and a lower ride height. The Elite trim featured quality leather, supportive front seats with power adjustment, heating, and ventilation, and a tri-zone automatic climate control system. The minivan's interior was designed for practicality, with numerous storage spaces and a low console between the front seats. The second-row Magic Slide seats allowed for various configurations, enhancing convenience and safety. The third-row seat was comfortable for adults, and the cargo space was impressive, offering 32.8 cubic feet behind the third row, 88.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 144.9 cubic feet with the second row removed.

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 included in the optional Convenience Package. Despite these features, the test car lacked the available 7-speaker Bose premium sound system. The infotainment system was praised for its quick response, impressive voice recognition, and user-friendly interface.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey Elite was packed with technology, though its infotainment features were increasingly outclassed by rivals. Starting with the EX trim, the Odyssey included an 8-inch touchscreen, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Touring trim added navigation and HondaLink connected services with WiFi hotspot access. The Touring and Elite trims also featured CabinWatch and CabinTalk technology, a rear-seat camera system, and an in-vehicle public address system. The rear-seat entertainment system, standard on Touring and Elite trims, included a 10.2-inch display, HDMI inputs, and a USB port. The Elite trim added an 11-speaker premium audio system and a wireless charging pad. However, the infotainment system's small screen and lack of a tuning knob were noted as drawbacks.

The 2021 Buick Encore GX came standard with Buick Driver Confidence, 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 also available. The Encore GX earned a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), but the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) had not tested it.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was equipped with Honda Sensing as standard, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. The Odyssey also had automatic high-beam headlights and a rear-seat reminder system. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available starting with the EX trim. The Odyssey earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.