2022 Buick Encore GX vs 2021 Honda Passport

The 2021 Honda Passport was essentially a shortened version of the Pilot, featuring two rows of seats instead of three. This similarity was evident in its design, both externally and internally. The Passport's dashboard layout was visually identical to that of the Pilot, including Honda's awkward "button shifter" design. Despite these corporate design choices, the Passport boasted a spacious interior with high-quality materials throughout.

Trim levels for the 2021 Passport included Sport, EX-L, Touring, and Elite. The entry-level Sport came with features like 20-inch alloy wheels, LED fog lights, push-button start, and a seven-speaker audio system. The EX-L added leather upholstery, a power moonroof, and a power rear liftgate. The Touring trim included front-and-rear parking sensors, a hands-free liftgate, and a WiFi hotspot. The top-tier Elite trim offered heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and wireless device charging.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX had a strong family resemblance to the Encore, sharing Buick's trapezoidal "waterfall" grille, high beltline, and similar headlight styling. The Encore GX's slightly longer wheelbase and additional length made it look less tall and stubby. The ST (Sport Touring) appearance package enhanced its look with body-color moldings, custom grille, sport bumpers, and 18-inch aluminum wheels.

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 heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel offered handy redundant controls, though the rotary toggles embedded in the spokes were cumbersome. Overall, the controls and instrumentation were straightforward and user-friendly.

The 2021 Honda Passport came standard with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. It offered standard front-wheel drive (FWD) and optional all-wheel drive (AWD). The V6 provided strong acceleration, and the automatic transmission managed power well. The engine's stop-start system could be abrupt, but it had a switch to cancel it. The Passport's ride was a blend of comfort and refined handling, with 8.1 inches of ground clearance and AWD models featuring Snow, Sand, and Mud drive modes. FWD Passports could tow up to 3,500 pounds, while AWD models could tow up to 5,000 pounds.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX offered two turbocharged three-cylinder engines: 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 Preferred and Select. FWD was standard on all trims, with AWD available as an option. FWD models used a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), while AWD models used a nine-speed automatic. The 1.3-liter turbo engine and CVT provided adequate power, though the engine was a bit buzzy. The Encore GX's ride was noisier than expected, and its driving dynamics were uninspiring.

The 2021 Honda Passport offered 100.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 50.5 cubic feet with the second row in use. An additional 2.5 cubic feet was available in an under-floor storage tray. The EX-L trim featured a power liftgate, while the Touring and Elite trims included a hands-free power liftgate. The upright seating position provided excellent visibility, and the center console featured a deep center bin and an open cargo tray. The rear seats offered plenty of headroom and legroom, with reclining and sliding capabilities.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX, despite its small size, provided a comfortable and easy-to-live-with interior. Ingress and egress were easy, and the controls were clearly marked and legible. Front-seat headroom and legroom were adequate, though rear-seat knee room was tight. Cargo space measured 23.5 cubic feet behind the rear bench seat and 50.2 cubic feet with the seat folded. The Encore GX could accommodate items up to eight feet in length with the front passenger seat and rear seats folded flat. The optional hands-free power liftgate added convenience, and a rotary dial adjusted the maximum height of the liftgate.

For 2021, the Honda Passport made Android Auto and Apple CarPlay standard, included with the newly-standard 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. However, the infotainment system had dated graphics, a confusing menu layout, and a volume dial that felt like an afterthought.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX offered decent tech for the price, with a standard eight-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth audio streaming, Buick Connected Services, front and rear USB ports, OnStar telematics, and SiriusXM satellite radio. A navigation system was available on Select and Essence trims, along with built-in Amazon Alexa capability. The Advanced Technology package added HD surround vision, a head-up display, adaptive cruise control, and an upgraded Buick infotainment system with navigation and advanced voice recognition. The Convenience package included automatic parking assist, wireless phone charging, a rear camera mirror, and rain-sensing windshield wipers.

The 2021 Honda Passport came well equipped with advanced safety features such as automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and front-and-rear parking sensors. The Passport received a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and top "Good" scores in most crash tests from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The 2022 Buick Encore GX came standard with driver assistance features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Driver Confidence package included automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assistance, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Encore GX earned five stars for overall crash protection from the NHTSA and "Good" ratings in all crash tests from the IIHS. The top Essence trim received an "Acceptable" rating for its LED headlights, while the Preferred and Select trims received a "Marginal" rating for their halogen headlights.