2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 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: a 1.2-liter for FWD and a 1.3-liter for both FWD and AWD. The test model featured the Essence trim with a 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 offered expected quality 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, further detracting from the overall experience.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee, on the other hand, maintained Jeep's design traditions while introducing a two-row version of the previous year's Grand Cherokee L. Available in multiple trims, including Laredo, Altitude, Limited, Trailhawk, Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve, the Grand Cherokee offered a range of prices from $37,390 to $63,365, excluding a $1,795 destination charge. The SUV's styling drew inspiration from the classic 1963 Wagoneer, with a forward-leaning grille, lowered beltline, and tapered rear roof pillars. Inside, the Grand Cherokee's interior varied from basic but high-quality in the Laredo trim to luxurious in the Summit Reserve trim, featuring premium leather, heated and ventilated seats, and a high-end audio system.

The Grand Cherokee's interior was essentially identical to the Grand Cherokee L, with good quality materials and comfortable seating. However, the gloss black finish on some controls in higher trims suffered from reflections, making them harder to use. The Grand Cherokee's ride quality was excellent, and it felt more nimble and athletic than the larger Grand Cherokee L, making it a more appealing choice for those seeking a balance of style, comfort, and performance.

The 2021 Buick Encore GX offered 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 was the preferred choice, delivering 155 hp at 5,600 rpm and 174 lb-ft of torque at just 1,600 rpm. The Encore GX with FWD featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT), while the AWD version used a nine-speed automatic transmission. Despite Buick's QuietTuning efforts, the Encore GX wasn't particularly quiet inside, and its ride quality felt brittle over poorly maintained roads. The SUV's handling was decent, with flat cornering and good braking performance, but it lacked the refinement expected from a premium brand.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD) and came with either a V6 or V8 engine. The standard 3.6-liter V6 engine generated 293 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 260 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm, with a tow rating of 6,200 pounds. The available 5.7-liter V8 engine produced 357 hp at 5,150 rpm and 390 lb-ft at 4,250 rpm, increasing the towing capacity to 7,200 pounds. Three different 4WD systems were available: Quadra-Trac I, Quadra-Trac II, and Quadra-Drive II, each offering varying levels of off-road capability. The Grand Cherokee's eight-speed automatic transmission featured a dial-style shifter, which could be tricky to use. Fuel economy estimates ranged from 17 mpg with the V8 and 4WD to 21 mpg with the V6 and any drivetrain. The Trailhawk trim, designed for serious off-roading, featured advanced off-road equipment, including an electronic locking rear differential, Quadra-Lift air suspension, and Selec-Speed off-road cruise control. The Grand Cherokee's ride quality was excellent, and it felt more nimble and athletic than the larger Grand Cherokee L, making it a more appealing choice for those seeking a balance of style, comfort, and performance.

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 thigh support. 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 Jeep Grand Cherokee provided comfortable seating for the driver and front passenger, with higher trims offering heated and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, and front seat massagers. Visibility was improved, especially for off-roading, and the available panoramic sunroof added an airy feel to the cabin. Rear-seat room was tight for adults with long legs, and the plastic front seatback trim was uncomfortable. The two-row Grand Cherokee offered 37.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seat, expandable to 70.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

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. Wireless smartphone charging was available as part of the optional Convenience Package. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with quick response times, impressive voice recognition, and a simple interface.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee was a tech powerhouse, offering a comprehensive head-up display, Night Vision system, camera-based rearview mirror, and up to five interior touchscreens. The Uconnect 5 infotainment system, standard on all trims, featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen display, with a 10.1-inch touchscreen available on higher trims. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa integration, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and voice recognition were standard. The Grand Cherokee also offered a 19-speaker McIntosh high-end audio system and a dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system with Amazon Fire TV integration. The optional 10.25-inch touchscreen for the front passenger allowed for additional entertainment and assistance for the driver.

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 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee featured an impressive collection of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and a safety cage composed of aluminum and high-strength steel. The Grand Cherokee included Intersection Collision Assist, Active Driving Assist, and a hands-free version of Active Driving Assist coming in 2022. These systems provided Level 2 semi-autonomous driving assistance, adaptive cruise control, and lane-centering assistance. The new Grand Cherokee's crash-test performance remained to be seen, but its advanced safety features and improved structure were promising.