2021 Jeep Cherokee vs 2022 Buick Encore GX

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee's styling had evolved over time, becoming more palatable since its debut. Initially, the short grille and swept-back headlights were points of contention, but over the years, the Cherokee's proportions seemed to improve. The exterior appearance varied significantly with trim levels; the base Latitude with 17-inch wheels and FWD appeared quite ordinary, while the 80th Anniversary Edition with 19-inch Granite Crystal wheels and painted lower body cladding offered a more refined look. Jeep's expertise in roof design was evident with the Cherokee's optional panoramic sunroof, which covered the entire top surface. The Cherokee stood out in a crowded SUV market, bearing a resemblance to the larger Grand Cherokee, particularly from the front.

In contrast, the 2022 Buick Encore GX had a strong family resemblance to its sibling, the Encore, making it difficult to distinguish between the two, especially in similar colors. The Encore GX featured Buick's signature trapezoidal "waterfall" grille and shared design elements like a high beltline and similar headlight styling. The Encore GX's slightly longer wheelbase and additional length gave it a more balanced appearance. The optional ST appearance package enhanced its looks with body-color moldings, custom grille, sport bumpers, and 18-inch aluminum wheels. Inside, the Encore GX offered a comfortable cabin with soft-touch materials and a user-friendly layout. The heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel and straightforward controls contributed to a pleasant driving experience, although the rotary toggles were somewhat cumbersome.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee offered three engine options, catering to different trim levels. The base Latitude and Latitude Plus featured a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower. A more powerful 3.2-liter V-6 engine delivered 271 hp, while the top-tier 2.0-liter GMET4 turbocharged four-cylinder engine produced 270 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, surpassing the V-6's 239 lb-ft. Despite these options, the Cherokee's acceleration was modest, with 0-60 mph times around 7.2 seconds for the V6 and 7.4 seconds for the turbo-four. All models came with a nine-speed automatic transmission, which improved over time, offering better performance than CVTs. The Cherokee Trailhawk excelled off-road, thanks to features like Jeep Active Drive Lock and Selec-Speed Crawl Control. While FWD was available, it was primarily for cost-effectiveness and rental fleets.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX offered two turbocharged three-cylinder engines: a 1.2-liter engine with 137 horsepower and a 1.3-liter engine producing 155 hp. The 1.2-liter engine was standard on the Preferred and Select trims, while the 1.3-liter engine was standard on the Essence trim and optional on others. FWD was standard, with AWD available for all trims. FWD models used a CVT, while AWD models had a nine-speed automatic transmission. The 1.3-liter turbo engine and CVT combination provided adequate power, though it was somewhat noisy. The Encore GX's ride was less refined than expected, with noticeable noise, vibration, and harshness. Despite being an SUV, it was not designed for off-roading, handling only light gravel and dirt paths.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee occupied a niche between the smaller Renegade and larger Grand Cherokee, competing with compact crossovers like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. However, it fell short in utility, offering only 26 cubic feet of cargo space with rear seats up and 55 cubic feet with them folded, lagging behind competitors like the Mazda CX-5 and Ford Escape. The Cherokee provided 102 cubic feet of passenger volume, making it competitive in that aspect. The interior was straightforward and businesslike, with trim levels influencing the quality of materials. The Latitude featured basic black plastic, while the Trailhawk and Latitude Lux offered more upscale materials like suede and Nappa leather.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX, despite its small size, offered a comfortable and easy-to-live-with interior. Ingress and egress were effortless, with controls and switchgear clearly marked. The elevated ride height improved visibility, aided by an optional rear camera mirror. Front-seat headroom and legroom were ample, though rear-seat knee room was tight. Cargo space measured 23.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 50.2 cubic feet with them folded. The Encore GX featured a two-level cargo floor and could accommodate items up to eight feet long. The optional hands-free power liftgate added convenience, with adjustable height settings for ease of use.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee boasted an impressive infotainment system with Uconnect, available in 7-inch and 8.4-inch touchscreen sizes. The system was user-friendly, with minimal latency and easy access to controls like heated seats. It supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though only via wired connections, and offered a 4G WiFi hotspot and Amazon Alexa integration. Remote start was available, enhancing convenience in various climates. The consistency of Uconnect across Stellantis brands was a significant advantage for Cherokee buyers.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX offered a robust tech package, starting with an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth audio streaming, and a WiFi hotspot. The Encore GX also featured OnStar telematics and SiriusXM satellite radio. Available options included navigation, Amazon Alexa, and an Advanced Technology package with HD surround vision, head-up display, and adaptive cruise control. The Convenience package added features like automatic parking assist and wireless phone charging. The infotainment system was intuitive, with easy Bluetooth pairing and efficient voice recognition.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee did not earn top safety awards from the IIHS but received "Good" scores in crashworthiness and a G+ rating for LATCH ease of use. Headlight ratings varied, with upper trims rated "Acceptable" and others "Marginal." The NHTSA awarded the Cherokee a four-star overall safety rating, with a slight demerit for front driver side crash protection. Standard safety features included lane departure warning, forward collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and blind spot monitoring. Adaptive cruise control was available on higher trims.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX excelled in safety, earning five stars from the NHTSA for overall crash protection and "Good" ratings from the IIHS in crash tests. It featured standard driver assistance technologies, including blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Encore GX also offered Teen Driver technology and a tire-fill alert system. Headlight ratings varied, with the top Essence trim receiving an "Acceptable" rating and lower trims a "Marginal" rating. The Encore GX achieved "Superior" ratings for front crash prevention.