2022 Buick Encore GX vs 2021 Lexus GX

The 2021 Lexus GX 460’s styling was a testament to its long tenure on the market. Retaining the same basic body shell from a decade ago, it had undergone several updates over the years, including the addition of Lexus’ trademark spindle grille in 2014 and a textured insert in 2020. The 2021 model didn’t see any new styling changes, but silver 18-inch wheels became standard on the Premium trim level. Despite its age, the GX’s tough, aggressive look remained distinctive and appealing to SUV shoppers. However, the interior did not meet modern luxury standards, with wood trim that felt like molded plastic and an abundance of actual plastic. Standard leather upholstery was a plus, with semi-aniline leather available on the Luxury trim.

In contrast, the 2022 Buick Encore GX was a handsome little SUV, especially with the optional ST (Sport Touring) appearance package. The Encore GX shared a strong family resemblance with the Encore, featuring Buick's trapezoidal "waterfall" grille, high beltline, and similar headlight styling. The Encore GX’s slightly longer wheelbase and additional length helped it look less stubby. The ST package added body-color bodyside and rocker moldings, custom grille, sport bumpers with red accents, 18-inch aluminum wheels, and an "ST" badge. New exterior paint options for 2022 included Cinnabar Metallic, Sapphire Metallic, Sunset Glow Metallic, and Rosewood Metallic. Inside, the Encore GX offered an attractive cabin with soft-touch materials and standard cloth seats on base models, while leather seats were standard on the top Essence trim. The heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel and straightforward controls added to the user-friendly experience.

The 2021 Lexus GX kept it simple with a single powertrain option: a 4.6-liter V8 engine producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The GX 460’s performance was a throwback to an earlier generation of SUVs. The V8 engine provided ample power for acceleration, with a 0-60 mph time of 7.8 seconds. However, the vehicle’s 5,130-pound weight was noticeable at higher speeds, requiring careful planning for merging and overtaking. The ride quality was typical of a body-on-frame vehicle, with low grip and body roll in corners. Despite its traditional SUV driving experience, the GX excelled in off-road capability, featuring a Torsen center differential, standard 4WD with a low range, and several driver aids like hill-descent control and hill-start assist. The optional Off-Road Package added features like a transmission cooler, fuel-tank protector, multi-view camera system, Crawl Control, and Multi-Terrain Select. The GX 460 had a maximum towing capacity of 6,500 pounds.

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. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available on all trims. FWD models used a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), while AWD models had a nine-speed automatic. The 1.3-liter turbo engine and CVT in the test vehicle provided adequate power, though it was a bit buzzy. The Encore GX’s ride was noisier than expected, and the driving dynamics were uninspiring. Despite its SUV classification, the Encore GX was not designed for off-roading, with the roughest terrain it encountered being gravel driveways and dirt patches.

The 2021 Lexus GX’s interior ergonomics reflected its age, with an upright dashboard and high center console that limited legroom. The steering wheel was positioned at an odd angle, making the driving experience feel like operating a bus. The dashboard shape and boxy profile provided excellent outward visibility, though forward visibility was limited by the tall hood. Storage space was limited, with small center-console storage bins, cupholders, and in-door bottle holders. The GX came standard with three rows of seating for seven, though the third row was best suited for children and difficult to access. Cargo space was limited, with only 64.7 cubic feet available with the second and third rows folded, and virtually no space with the third row up.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX, despite its small size, offered a comfortable and easy-to-live-with interior. Ingress and egress were effortless, and the controls were clearly marked and legible. The slightly elevated ride height provided excellent all-around visibility. Front-seat headroom and legroom were more than 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 featured a two-level cargo floor for a flat load surface and 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, with an adjustable maximum height for easier access.

The 2021 Lexus GX was light on tech features, with Bluetooth, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant connectivity as standard, but no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto compatibility. The standard infotainment system had outdated graphics and limited functionality. The touchscreen was complemented by analog controls and large shortcut buttons, providing a user-friendly interface despite its primitive nature. A 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system was available.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX offered decent tech for its price, with a standard 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. A navigation system was available on higher trims, along with built-in Amazon Alexa capability. The Advanced Technology package added features like HD surround vision, a head-up display, adaptive cruise control, and an upgraded 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 infotainment system was intuitive and user-friendly, with easy Bluetooth pairing and efficient voice recognition.

The 2021 Lexus GX 460 had not been rated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). It came standard with the Lexus Safety System+ bundle, including forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. However, it lacked some safety features found in other Lexus and Toyota models, such as traffic-sign recognition and Lane Tracing Assist.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX came standard with several driver assistance features, including 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 standard. The Encore GX performed well in NHTSA crash tests, earning five stars for overall crash protection, frontal and side crash protection, and four stars for rollover resistance. The IIHS awarded the Encore GX "Good" ratings in all crash tests, with "Superior" ratings for front crash prevention. However, headlight ratings varied, with the top Essence trim receiving an "Acceptable" rating and lower trims receiving a "Marginal" rating.