2022 Lexus NX 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, often referred to as "the shoe" due to its awkward proportions. The Encore GX offered a sleek exterior with no unsatisfying lines, available in three trim levels: Preferred, Select, and Essence. Buyers could opt for the Sport Touring package for a sportier look. The SUV provided a choice between front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD), with two turbocharged three-cylinder engines. The interior, however, did not match the exterior's refinement, with hard-to-read analog gauges and a vibrating head-up display on rough roads, detracting from its premium appeal.

In contrast, the 2022 Lexus NX showcased a refined and unmistakably Lexus design, featuring a prominent spindle grille and new block lettering on the tailgate. The NX was longer, wider, and taller than its predecessor, offering more passenger and cargo space. The interior adopted a minimalist approach, with fewer buttons and knobs, which some found overly simplified. The NX 350 F Sport trim added sporty elements like a unique grille, sport-bolstered seats, and a black headliner. Despite the decluttered design, the NX's interior was comfortable, with thoughtful padding and available luxury features like real leather and open-pore wood trim.

The 2021 Buick Encore GX offered two turbocharged engine options. The standard 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine produced 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, while the 1.3-liter variant delivered 155 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque. The Encore GX's driving experience was described as adequate, with enough power for highway cruising but lacking refinement. The FWD models used a continuously variable transmission (CVT), while AWD versions had a nine-speed automatic transmission. Despite Buick's QuietTuning efforts, the cabin was not particularly quiet, and the ride quality was inconsistent over different road surfaces.

The 2022 Lexus NX, particularly the NX 350, featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine generating 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD. The NX 350 F Sport trim offered additional driving modes and an adaptive variable sports suspension, enhancing its sporty character. The NX's handling was impressive, with a composed and capable feel, although the engine's sound was less refined than some German rivals. Fuel economy varied between the F Sport and Luxury trims, with the former achieving 22.2 mpg and the latter 25.5 mpg.

The 2021 Buick Encore GX provided a high seating position with supportive front seats, though lacking lateral bolstering. The rear seats were less comfortable, with limited legroom and a low, flat cushion. Interior storage was commendable, 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 fold-flat front passenger seat for carrying long items, but the hands-free power liftgate was deemed unnecessary.

The 2022 Lexus NX offered a more intimate and cozy cabin, with comfortable seating and thoughtful padding in key areas. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed ample space, with rear air conditioning vents and USB charging ports. The NX's cargo space increased by 14%, providing 22.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 46.9 cubic feet with them folded. The Luxury trim added ambient lighting with 14 themes, enhancing the interior's ambiance.

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 a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The Advanced Technology Package added navigation, voice recognition, and a surround-view camera. Despite these features, the test vehicle lacked the available Bose premium sound system. The infotainment system was praised for its quick response, intuitive interface, and useful steering wheel controls.

The 2022 Lexus NX introduced the new Lexus Interface infotainment system, with a standard 9.8-inch touchscreen and an optional 14-inch display. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Voice Assistant technology, and cloud-based features. A 10-speaker sound system was standard, with a 17-speaker Mark Levinson system available. The new Voice Assistant and Intelligent Assistant systems offered natural voice control, and the NX included a digital key feature. However, the large touchscreen collected fingerprints and lacked a tuning knob, which some found inconvenient.

The 2021 Buick Encore GX came with standard Buick Driver Confidence, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on higher trims. The adaptive cruise control had limitations, and the lane-keeping assist felt unnatural. The Encore GX earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, but the IIHS had not tested it.

The 2022 Lexus NX featured the comprehensive Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, with new technologies like Risk Avoidance Emergency Steer Assist and Oncoming Vehicle Detection. The Emergency Driving Stop System was tested, demonstrating its ability to safely stop the vehicle if the driver became unresponsive. The NX also included blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and Safe Exit Assist. Premium trim added rear pedestrian detection and an adaptive front lighting system.