2022 Buick Encore GX vs 2021 Honda CR-V

The 2021 Honda CR-V had a design that blended into the sea of compact crossovers. Its styling was almost indistinguishable from its competitors, with a similar side window opening and overall shape. While there were minor details like the grille and some chromed plastic features that set it apart, the CR-V was not a vehicle chosen for its exterior aesthetics. The color options were limited, especially in the lower trims, making it challenging to find vibrant hues like Aegean Blue Metallic or Radiant Red Metallic.

Inside, the CR-V offered a modern look with angular seats and sharp details, available in black, gray, and ivory cloth or leather, depending on the trim. Higher trims added wood panels and more chrome for an upscale appearance. However, competitors like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson had more distinctive styling, particularly in mid-tier trims, making them more appealing to those who prioritized looks.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX, on the other hand, had a family resemblance to the smaller Encore, with a trapezoidal "waterfall" grille, high beltline, and similar headlight styling. The Encore GX's slightly longer wheelbase and additional length gave it a less stubby appearance. The optional ST (Sport Touring) appearance package added body-color moldings, custom grille, sport bumpers with red accents, 18-inch aluminum wheels, and an "ST" badge, enhancing its visual appeal.

Inside, the Encore GX featured an attractive cabin with soft-touch materials and minimal hard plastic. Cloth seats were standard on base models, while leather seats were standard on the top Essence trim. The test vehicle had heated seats in Whisper Beige leather with Ebony accents, breaking up the otherwise black or gray interior. The heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel was well-sized, though some controls were cumbersome. Overall, the Encore GX's interior was user-friendly and comfortable, though not truly premium.

The 2021 Honda CR-V was not built for thrilling acceleration or high-speed cornering. Instead, it offered smooth and steady acceleration with its 190-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which took about 7.8 seconds to reach 60 mph. This performance was on par with its competitors, none of which had a significant advantage in acceleration. The CR-V's continuously variable transmission (CVT) provided a predictable driving experience, though it lacked the engagement of conventional transmissions found in rivals like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson.

The CR-V came standard with front-wheel drive (FWD), with all-wheel drive (AWD) available as an option. Its unitized body structure and MacPherson strut front suspension with a multi-link rear setup were typical for the class. The handling and ride quality were decent, with no surprises, making it a reliable choice for everyday driving.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX offered two turbocharged three-cylinder engine options: a 1.2-liter unit producing 137 horsepower and a 1.3-liter motor making 155 hp. The 1.2-liter engine was standard on the Preferred and Select trims, while the 1.3-liter unit was standard on the top Essence trim and optional on the lower trims. FWD was standard, with AWD available on all trims. FWD models used a CVT, while AWD models had a traditional nine-speed automatic transmission.

The 1.3-liter turbo engine and CVT in the test vehicle provided adequate power, though it was a bit buzzy and harsh. The engine stop/start feature was somewhat annoying, but it could be overridden. The Encore GX's ride was noisier and less settled than expected from a Buick, with noise, vibration, and harshness levels more intrusive than anticipated. Despite this, the CVT did not drone, and the vehicle handled everyday driving tasks competently.

The 2021 Honda CR-V was designed to fit five people comfortably and carry their gear. It offered 102.9 cubic feet of passenger volume, four cubic feet more than the Toyota RAV4. The CR-V also had slightly more cargo space behind the second row than the RAV4, with a total cargo volume of 75.8 cubic feet when the rear seats were folded. Depending on the trim, the tailgate could be manually operated, power-operated, or hands-free, with the latter available on the top Touring trim. Roof rails were standard only on the Touring trim, while competitors like Subaru offered them on most trims.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX, despite its small size, provided a comfortable and easy-to-live-with interior. Ingress and egress were straightforward, and controls were clearly marked and legible. The slightly elevated ride height improved visibility, aided by the optional rear camera mirror. Front-seat headroom and legroom were adequate, though rear-seat knee room was tight, and fitting three adults in the back was unlikely.

Cargo space in the Encore GX measured 23.5 cubic feet behind the rear bench seat and 50.2 cubic feet with the seat folded. The two-level cargo floor created a flat load floor when the rear seats were folded, accommodating items up to eight feet in length. The optional hands-free power liftgate added convenience, with a rotary dial to adjust the maximum height for easier access.

The 2021 Honda CR-V's base LX trim had a 5-inch color screen with Bluetooth connectivity, while other trims featured a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The Special Edition and EX trims had a 180-watt audio system with six speakers, while the EX-L added two more speakers. The Touring trim had a 300-watt system with a subwoofer. Charging ports were plentiful, with USB ports in the front and second rows, and a wireless phone charger in the Touring trim.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX came standard with an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth audio streaming, Buick Connected Services with a built-in WiFi hotspot, front and rear USB ports, OnStar telematics, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Navigation was available on Select and Essence trims, along with built-in Amazon Alexa capability. The test vehicle had a basic audio system, despite the tech options.

Driver-assistance features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, following-distance indicator, forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assistance, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Advanced Technology package added HD surround vision, a head-up display, adaptive cruise control, and more. The Convenience package included automatic parking assist, wireless phone charging, a rear camera mirror, and rain-sensing windshield wipers.

The 2021 Honda CR-V excelled in safety, earning a five-star NHTSA overall crash test rating and an IIHS Top Safety Pick award. However, it did not receive the highest Top Safety Pick+ rating due to lower scores in the headlight evaluation and updated side crash test. The CR-V's LATCH child safety seat anchoring system received an "Acceptable" rating. Honda's approach to safety was commendable, with the Honda Sensing system standard on all trims, including features like a multi-angle rearview camera, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, road departure mitigation, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and auto high-beam headlamps. Blind spot monitoring was standard from the EX trim upwards.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX also performed well in safety tests, earning a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and "Good" ratings in all IIHS crash tests. The Encore GX received "Superior" ratings for vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention. However, its headlight ratings varied, with the top Essence trim receiving an "Acceptable" rating and lower trims receiving a "Marginal" rating. Standard safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, following-distance indicator, forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assistance, and automatic high-beam headlights. Teen Driver technology and a tire-fill alert system were also included.