2021 Jeep Renegade vs 2022 Buick Encore GX

The 2021 Jeep Renegade, introduced in 2015, drew inspiration from the iconic Wrangler SUV, featuring a boxy profile, circular headlights, and an upright seven-slat grille. By 2021, it maintained the design changes from its 2019 refresh, with some previously optional features becoming standard. Inside, the Renegade offered a modern, functional cabin with an upright center stack reminiscent of the Wrangler, making controls easily accessible. It came in various trims, including Sport, Jeepster, Latitude, Upland, 80th Anniversary, Islander, Limited, and Trailhawk, each offering unique features and equipment.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX, while similar in appearance to its sibling, the Encore, stood out with a slightly longer wheelbase and additional length, giving it a less stubby look. The Encore GX was particularly appealing with the optional ST appearance package, which added sporty design elements. Inside, it offered a comfortable cabin with soft-touch materials and standard cloth seats, while the top Essence trim featured leather seats. The Encore GX provided adequate front-seat headroom and legroom, though rear-seat space was a bit tight. Cargo space was practical, with a two-level cargo floor and a hands-free power liftgate for added convenience.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade came with a base 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque. An upgraded turbocharged 1.3-liter engine offered 177 horsepower and 210 lb-ft of torque, providing better refinement and torque. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, available in front-wheel drive or optional 4WD. The Renegade's ride quality was solid, with good cornering stability and maneuverability, making it a great city car. The Trailhawk trim, with its terrain management system and 8.7 inches of ground clearance, was particularly capable off-road.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX offered two turbocharged three-cylinder engines: a 1.2-liter with 137 horsepower and a 1.3-liter with 155 horsepower. The 1.2-liter engine was standard on the Preferred and Select trims, while the 1.3-liter was standard on the Essence trim. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available. The Encore GX's 1.3-liter engine and CVT provided adequate power, though the ride was noisier than expected for a Buick. Despite its SUV classification, the Encore GX was not designed for off-roading, handling only light gravel and dirt paths.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade offered 50.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 18.5 cubic feet with them in use, above average for its class. Its tall, boxy design provided ample headroom, and the front seats offered great legroom. The Renegade featured various storage solutions, including a foldable front passenger seat for added versatility.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX, while compact, provided a comfortable experience with easy ingress and egress. It offered 23.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 50.2 cubic feet with them folded. The Encore GX's cargo area was practical, with a two-level floor and the ability to accommodate long items. The optional hands-free power liftgate added convenience, and the interior controls were user-friendly and well-placed.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade featured a standard 7-inch touchscreen with an optional 8.4-inch screen on higher trims, both running the intuitive Uconnect system. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with a Kenwood premium audio system available.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX came with an eight-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a WiFi hotspot. It offered a navigation system on higher trims and built-in Amazon Alexa. The Encore GX included a range of driver-assistance features, with optional packages adding advanced technology like adaptive cruise control and a head-up display. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with easy Bluetooth pairing and efficient voice recognition.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade made several safety features standard, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, and lane-keep assist, except on the Trailhawk trim. Adaptive cruise control and parking sensors were optional. The Renegade received a four-star rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX came with standard driver-assistance features and optional packages for additional safety tech. It performed well in NHTSA crash tests, earning five stars overall, and received high ratings from the IIHS, though headlight performance varied by trim. The Encore GX also included Teen Driver technology and a tire-fill alert system.