2021 Land Rover Range Rover vs 2022 Buick Encore GX

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover had evolved significantly from its rugged origins, transforming into a symbol of luxury and sophistication. Initially designed as a utilitarian vehicle, it had become a high-end SUV with a starting price of $92,000, which could soar to $250,000 with various upgrades. The test model, priced at $106,715, featured the HSE Westminster special-edition trim, offering a blend of standard and luxurious options. Despite its age, the Range Rover maintained a timeless design with hallmark features like blacked-out pillars and clean lines. Inside, it exuded luxury with an Ivory-color interior and mid-century modern ambiance, although its infotainment system was less advanced than newer models.

In contrast, the 2022 Buick Encore GX was a compact SUV with a strong family resemblance to its sibling, the Encore. It featured Buick's signature design elements, including a trapezoidal grille and high beltline. The Encore GX was slightly larger, offering a more balanced appearance. The ST appearance package enhanced its aesthetics with sportier elements, while the interior provided a comfortable cabin with soft-touch materials and leather seats in higher trims. The Encore GX prioritized ease of use, with intuitive controls and excellent visibility. Despite its compact size, it offered practical cargo space and a user-friendly design.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover offered a range of powertrain options, including turbodiesel V6, supercharged V8, mild-hybrid, and plug-in hybrid choices. The HSE Westminster edition featured a mild-hybrid turbocharged inline-six engine, delivering 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. It came with a flawless eight-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case, ensuring off-road capability. The Range Rover excelled in providing a smooth and quiet ride, with an adaptive air suspension that filtered road harshness. However, its steering was relatively slow, and the vehicle's weight and tall center of gravity affected handling on winding roads. The EPA estimated a combined fuel economy of 20 mpg, but the test vehicle averaged 18.5 mpg.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX offered two turbocharged three-cylinder engine options: a 1.2-liter producing 137 horsepower and a 1.3-liter generating 155 hp. The 1.3-liter engine was standard on the top Essence trim and available on other trims. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive as an option. The Encore GX's powertrain, though a bit buzzy, provided adequate power for merging and highway driving. The ride was less settled than expected, with noise and vibration more noticeable than anticipated. The Encore GX's handling was drama-free, but its driving dynamics were uninspiring. The vehicle's fuel economy was enhanced by an engine stop/start feature, though it could be annoying.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover featured an air suspension with a kneel mode for easier access. The front seats were decadently comfortable, but the second row lacked thigh support and adjustability, resulting in an uncomfortable seating position. The back seat offered luxury features like quad-zone climate control and heated seats. Storage space was limited, with dual glove compartments compensating for a small center-console bin. Luggage volume was also restricted, with 25 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 59.8 cubic feet with them folded. A button in the cargo area activated the suspension kneel function for easier loading.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX, despite its compact size, provided a comfortable and easy-to-live-with interior. Ingress and egress were effortless, and controls were clearly marked and legible. 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 for added versatility. The optional hands-free power liftgate added convenience, and a rotary dial adjusted the liftgate's maximum height for easier access.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover featured a digital instrumentation and infotainment system with three displays. The InControl Touch Pro Duo system, while not entirely intuitive, could be navigated with practice. The system's two 10-inch touchscreens were distracting while driving, and the head-up display was not visible with polarized sunglasses. The Range Rover included a waterproof Activity Key wristband and an iGuide smartphone app for added convenience.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX offered an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth audio streaming, and a built-in WiFi hotspot. The vehicle came with standard driver-assistance features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Advanced Technology package added features like HD surround vision, a head-up display, and adaptive cruise control. The Encore GX's infotainment system was user-friendly, with intuitive app layouts and efficient voice recognition.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover included standard safety features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance. Optional packages added features like adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and a 360-degree camera. The HSE Westminster Edition included the Drive Pro and Park packages, though the adaptive cruise control was slow to respond.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX came with standard driver-assistance features and Teen Driver technology. It performed well in NHTSA crash tests, earning five stars for overall crash protection. The IIHS awarded it "Good" ratings in crash tests, with varying ratings for headlights. The Encore GX received "Superior" ratings for front crash prevention.