2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs 2021 Buick Encore GX

The 2021 Buick Encore GX was a significant improvement over its predecessor, the original Encore. The GX boasted a sleek and stylish design, free from awkward proportions or unsatisfying 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. The interior, while offering expected quality, had some drawbacks, such as hard-to-read analog gauges and a vibrating head-up display (HUD) that detracted from the overall refinement.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 presented a polished and futuristic exterior, characterized by its Parametric Pixel design. This design was evident in the vehicle's extensive use of LED pixels in all lighting elements, giving it a concept car-like appearance. The Ioniq 5's interior was a stark contrast to its exterior, offering a mellow and comfortable "Living Space" theme. The cabin featured sustainable materials, including recycled fibers and bio-materials, and provided a zero-gravity "Relaxation" mode for the driver's seat. The Ioniq 5's design focused on comfort and usability, making it a pleasant place to spend time.

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 highway cruising and city driving, but the overall driving experience was described as merely adequate. The FWD models featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT), while the AWD models had a nine-speed automatic transmission. Despite Buick's efforts to enhance ride quality and noise reduction, the Encore GX's ride was often too brittle, soft, or bouncy, and the cabin was not particularly quiet.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 came in three trims—SE, SEL, and Limited—and offered both rear-wheel drive (RWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) configurations. The base SE Standard Range model featured a single 128-kW rear motor with 168 horsepower and a 220-mile range. The extended-range models had a 168-kW rear motor producing 225 horsepower and a 303-mile range. The AWD variants had a dual-motor system with a total output of 320 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque, but the range dropped to 256 miles. The Ioniq 5's performance was middle-of-the-road for its segment, with a focus on comfort and control rather than sporty driving. The vehicle featured four drive modes, including Sport, which added excitement but reduced range. The Ioniq 5 also offered paddle shifters for adjusting regenerative braking levels and a quiet cabin thanks to noise-reducing features.

The 2021 Buick Encore GX provided a high seating position and supportive front seats, making it comfortable for long drives. However, the rear seats were less hospitable, with limited legroom and thigh support. The 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 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5, built on the Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), offered a spacious and versatile interior. With a longer wheelbase than the seven-passenger Palisade, the Ioniq 5 provided ample passenger space, measuring 106.5 cubic feet. The vehicle's total interior volume was 133.7 cubic feet, surpassing competitors like the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Volkswagen ID.4. The Ioniq 5 featured a moveable center console, a modern take on the retro front bench seat, and comfortable leatherette seats with supportive bolsters. The interior design focused on comfort and usability, with soft touchpoints and practical storage solutions.

The 2021 Buick Encore GX Essence trim came equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity for two devices, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The Advanced Technology Package added navigation, natural voice recognition, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and a high-definition surround-view camera. Wireless smartphone charging was available through the Convenience Package. Despite these features, the test vehicle lacked the optional 7-speaker Bose premium sound system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with quick response times, impressive voice recognition, and intuitive controls.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 boasted advanced technology, including a high-voltage, energy-dense system with vehicle-to-load capabilities. The Ioniq 5 could charge to 80% battery capacity in just 18 minutes and support 800-volt charging infrastructures. Hyundai partnered with Electrify America to offer unlimited 30-minute fast-charging sessions for two years. The Ioniq 5 featured a redesigned Blue Link connected car app, a digital key, enhanced smartphone pairing, and over-the-air updates. The vehicle's 12.3-inch instrument cluster and infotainment screens were elegant, intuitive, and finished with an anti-glare coating, ensuring readability even with polarized sunglasses.

The 2021 Buick Encore GX came standard with Buick Driver Confidence, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, 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 Select and Essence trims. Adaptive cruise control was available, but its stop-and-go function required manual reactivation after a few seconds of idling. The Encore GX earned a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 featured Hyundai SmartSense, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) that included blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and front- and rear-collision avoidance. Hyundai Highway Drive Assist I (HAD) was also standard, offering machine-learning adaptive cruise control with stop & go. The Ioniq 5's head-up display (HUD) with augmented reality overlays provided additional driving information but could be distracting. While the Ioniq 5 had not yet been rated by NHTSA or IIHS, Hyundai's recent track record suggested high safety ratings were likely.