2022 Buick Encore GX vs 2022 Buick Enclave

The 2022 Buick Encore GX was a compact SUV that bore a striking resemblance to its sibling, the Encore. Both models featured Buick's signature trapezoidal "waterfall" grille, high beltline, and similar headlight and front fascia designs. The Encore GX, however, had a slightly longer wheelbase and additional length, making it appear less tall and stubby. The optional ST (Sport Touring) appearance package enhanced its looks with body-color moldings, custom grille, sport bumpers with red accents, 18-inch aluminum wheels, and an "ST" badge on the liftgate. Inside, the Encore GX offered a five-passenger cabin with soft-touch materials and optional leather seats, providing a comfortable, if not luxurious, environment.

In contrast, the 2022 Buick Enclave was a larger, three-row SUV that had undergone a significant transformation over the years. Initially known for its conservative styling, Buick had revamped its lineup to focus on SUVs, with the Enclave sitting at the top. The 2022 model featured a refreshed exterior with a new grille, front and rear fascias, headlamps, taillamps, and wheel designs. The Avenir trim level added unique styling elements and 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Enclave boasted a restyled center console, upgraded materials, and available heated, cooled, and massaging front seats. The Avenir trim also included heated second-row captain's chairs and exclusive trim and seat stitching, elevating the overall luxury feel.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX offered two turbocharged three-cylinder engine options: a 1.2-liter engine producing 137 horsepower and a 1.3-liter engine making 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 top Essence trim and optional on the lower trims. Front-wheel drive (FWD) was standard, with all-wheel drive (AWD) 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 combination provided adequate power, though the ride was noisier and less settled than expected from a Buick. The Encore GX's handling was drama-free but uninspiring, and the engine stop/start feature was somewhat annoying.

The 2022 Buick Enclave, on the other hand, kept it simple with a single powertrain option: a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. FWD was standard, with AWD available on all trims. The Enclave's maximum towing capacity was 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. The Enclave provided a smooth, quiet ride, thanks to its premium ride suspension and continuously variable real-time chassis damping. The V6 engine delivered surprisingly good off-the-line acceleration for a vehicle of its size, and the nine-speed automatic transmission performed flawlessly. The Enclave's cabin remained serene, with minimal noise, vibration, and harshness, even at wide-open throttle.

Despite its small size, the 2022 Buick Encore GX offered a comfortable and easy-to-live-with interior. Ingress and egress were effortless, and the controls were clearly marked and legible. 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 also featured a two-level cargo floor and an optional hands-free power liftgate, adding convenience.

The 2022 Buick Enclave, being a larger SUV, provided ample space for passengers and cargo. Ingress and egress were easy, and visibility was excellent. The Enclave's cabin was roomy, with plenty of headroom, legroom, hip room, and shoulder room for passengers in all three rows. The third row could comfortably accommodate six-footers, and the second-row captain's chairs made access easy. Cargo space measured 23.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 97.4 cubic feet with both rows folded. The Enclave also featured power-folding third-row seats for added convenience.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX came 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 and built-in Amazon Alexa were available on higher trims. The Advanced Technology package added 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 2022 Buick Enclave featured a standard 4.2-inch driver information center, with an 8-inch reconfigurable version on higher trims. The Essence trim came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and wireless phone charging. Premium and Avenir trims added navigation. The Enclave's infotainment system could pair up to 10 devices, with two smartphones active simultaneously. A built-in WiFi hotspot could handle up to four devices up to 50 feet away. The Premium and Avenir trims also featured a 10-speaker Bose audio system. Standard safety features included a following-distance indicator, HD rear vision camera, and Teen Driver technology. Available features included adaptive cruise control, head-up display, rain-sensing wipers, hitch guidance, a digital rear camera mirror, and HD surround vision.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX came standard with a range of driver assistance features, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assistance, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Encore GX also featured Teen Driver technology and a tire-fill alert system. The Encore GX earned five stars for overall crash protection from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and received "Good" ratings in all crash tests from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The top Essence trim received an "Acceptable" rating for its LED headlights, while lower trims received a "Marginal" rating for their halogen headlights.

The 2022 Buick Enclave made significant strides in safety for 2022, with the Buick Driver Confidence Plus package now standard on all trims. This package included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, lane-change alert with blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane-keeping assistance, rear park assist, following-distance indicator, and automatic high-beam headlights. Additional standard safety features included a Safety Alert driver's seat, rear-seat reminder system, and HD reversing camera. Premium trim added enhanced automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, surround-view camera, head-up display, and rear pedestrian alert. The Enclave received "Good" ratings in all but one IIHS crash test, earning an "Acceptable" score in the updated side-impact test. NHTSA had not published crash-test ratings for the 2022 Enclave at the time of writing.