2023 Buick Encore GX vs 2022 Acura MDX

The 2022 Acura MDX, a pioneer in the three-row luxury crossover SUV category, had always managed to appear smaller on the outside than it felt on the inside. This new generation was built on a dedicated platform, distinct from the Honda Pilot, with tweaked proportions including a longer wheelbase, wider body, and increased dash-to-axle distance. The MDX featured standard Jewel Eye LED headlights and larger wheels, contributing to a sportier and more assertive exterior design. Built in East Liberty, Ohio, the MDX showcased high craftsmanship and quality.

Inside, the MDX was modernized with a layered dashboard that emphasized cabin width and authentic materials like natural wood, genuine aluminum, and real leather. The center console housed unique gear selection controls and a touchpad for infotainment functions. The 12.3-inch infotainment screen was strategically placed for safety. The front seats were comfortable and adjustable, with a beefy steering wheel housing redundant controls. The MDX offered a solid, quality feel, with various exterior colors and interior themes to choose from.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX, however, did not reflect Buick's historical design excellence. Its rounded exterior and tall stance resulted in awkward proportions that failed to convey the high-riding SUV look. Even with the optional Sport Touring Package, the design changes were subtle and barely noticeable.

Inside, the Encore GX Essence trim included leather upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and power-adjustable front seats. However, the interior was dominated by plastic, reminding occupants of its position at the bottom of Buick's hierarchy. The dashboard and door panels had a dated design, though the instrument cluster with its round binnacles and small digital display was a notable feature.

The 2022 Acura MDX came with a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 290 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. A new 10-speed automatic transmission sent power to the front wheels or all four wheels with the optional Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD). The SH-AWD system featured torque vectoring, enhancing cornering feel and control. The MDX's suspension was upgraded to a double-wishbone setup in the front and a revised multi-link suspension in the rear, improving ride quality and handling. The MDX's overall stiffness and rigidity were significantly improved, resulting in a solid ride feel. The new 10-speed automatic transmission worked seamlessly with the engine, offering five drive modes for various driving conditions.

In contrast, the 2023 Buick Encore GX offered two turbocharged three-cylinder engines: a 1.2-liter engine with 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, and a 1.3-liter engine with 155 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive optional for the 1.3-liter engine. The FWD models used a CVT, while AWD models had a nine-speed automatic transmission. The 1.3-liter AWD test car had decent acceleration but required patience for smooth power delivery. The Encore GX excelled in ride comfort and noise reduction, thanks to its well-damped suspension and active noise cancellation. However, it felt ponderous and awkward in most driving situations, with slow and lifeless steering.

The 2022 Acura MDX excelled in versatility, offering comfortable seating for the first two rows and a third row suitable for pre-teens and smaller passengers. The second row featured a removable center section and could slide and recline for added comfort. The MDX provided between 16.3 and 18.1 cubic feet of luggage space behind the third row, expandable to 95 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. The power tailgate had convenient features like "Grab 'N Go" and Hands-Free Access. The interior lighting was customizable with 27 themes, enhancing the cabin ambiance.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX offered competitive passenger space, with headroom comparable to rivals like the Hyundai Kona and Mazda CX-30. However, the front seats were placed far inboard, reducing the feeling of spaciousness. The front seats lacked thigh support, affecting comfort. The Encore GX had 23.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place, expandable to 50.2 cubic feet. Small-item storage was well-executed, with large door pockets and a space-efficient wireless phone charger. The instrumentation was clear and informative, but the lack of a 360-degree camera view button was a drawback.

The 2022 Acura MDX featured the ELS Studio 3D Premium Audio System with 16 speakers and 710 watts of amplification in the A-Spec and Advance Packages. The base MDX had a nine-speaker system, while the Tech Package included a 12-speaker system. All MDX models came with a 12.3-inch infotainment screen and a configurable 12.3-inch digital instrument panel. Amazon Alexa, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Qi-compatible wireless charging were standard. The A-Spec and Advance trims had a CabinTalk feature, and the Advance package included a head-up display and surround-view camera system. A WiFi hotspot and over-the-air updates were also available.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX came with a standard 8-inch touchscreen and a 4.2-inch driver information display. Optional features included built-in navigation, a head-up display, wireless phone charging, and an eight-speaker Bose audio system. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The interface was user-friendly, with clear graphics and menu layouts. However, the 8-inch touchscreen was relatively small, and back-seat passengers lacked USB ports.

The 2022 Acura MDX had not yet been rated by the IIHS and NHTSA, but the outgoing model received high ratings, and Acura aimed for even better results in 2022. The MDX featured a higher percentage of high-strength steel and an advanced safety structure. The front end was redesigned for pedestrian safety, and a low-speed braking control system was included. The AcuraWatch suite of safety and driver assistance technologies was standard, offering features like collision mitigation braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and traffic sign recognition.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX had standard driver assist features like automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, and automatic high beams. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, automatic park assist, blind spot monitoring, and a 360-degree camera system. The Encore GX received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and was an IIHS 2022 Top Safety Pick, with top ratings in all crash tests but an "Average" score for child-seat anchor ease of use.