2022 Buick Encore GX vs 2022 Genesis GV70

The 2022 Buick Encore GX was a compact SUV that closely resembled its sibling, the Encore, with its trapezoidal "waterfall" grille and high beltline. It featured a slightly longer wheelbase, which gave it a more balanced appearance compared to the shorter Encore. The optional ST (Sport Touring) appearance package enhanced its aesthetic appeal with body-color moldings, custom grille, sport bumpers, and 18-inch aluminum wheels. Inside, the Encore GX offered a comfortable cabin with soft-touch materials and leather seats in higher trims, though it wasn't considered truly premium. The controls were straightforward, but some found the rotary toggles on the steering wheel cumbersome.

The 2022 Genesis GV70, on the other hand, boasted a unique design with styling elements borrowed from other Genesis models. It featured quad LED strips for headlights and taillights, a large shield-shaped grille, and a sloping roofline that gave it a sleek, fastback appearance. The Sport Prestige model added distinctive styling features, including 21-inch wheels and dark chrome trim. Inside, the GV70 had an elliptical-themed interior with a minimalistic design, a rotary gear selector, and a variety of luxurious materials. The cabin offered a range of color options and was equipped with Nappa leather upholstery in higher trims.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX was equipped with two turbocharged three-cylinder engine options: a 1.2-liter engine producing 137 horsepower and a 1.3-liter engine generating 155 horsepower. The 1.2-liter engine was standard on the Preferred and Select trims, while the 1.3-liter engine was standard on the Essence trim. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available as an option. The Encore GX's powertrain, particularly the 1.3-liter engine paired with a CVT, was surprisingly capable, though it exhibited some harshness typical of small three-cylinder engines. The ride was less settled than expected, and noise levels were higher than anticipated, despite Buick's QuietTuning technology.

In contrast, the 2022 Genesis GV70 offered more robust performance with its base 2.5-liter turbo-four engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. The 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 engine delivered 375 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The GV70 featured a rear electronic limited-slip differential and launch control, emphasizing its sporty character. However, while the powertrain was impressive, the chassis felt heavy, and the steering lacked precision for spirited driving. The GV70 excelled in highway cruising but didn't match the sharpness of some competitors.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX, despite its compact size, provided a comfortable experience with easy ingress and egress, clear controls, and excellent visibility. Front-seat headroom and legroom were adequate, 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 and an optional hands-free power liftgate for added convenience.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered mid-pack interior space for its segment. It provided similar front-seat headroom to the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class and back-seat headroom to the BMW X3. Cargo space was 28.9 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 56.9 cubic feet with them folded. The interior design, while daring, compromised storage space, with limited room in the center console and door pockets. The front seats in the Sport Prestige model were heavily bolstered, offering heating, ventilation, massage, and posture-assist functions.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX came equipped with an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth audio streaming, and a built-in WiFi hotspot. It offered a range of driver-assistance features, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a Driver Confidence package with automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assistance. The Advanced Technology package added features like HD surround vision, a head-up display, and adaptive cruise control.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 featured a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The system's tile-based layout and crisp graphics were user-friendly. Higher trims offered a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12-inch head-up display. The GV70 included a digital-key feature, a fingerprint scanner for starting the car, and a radar-based rear-seat monitor. Genesis Connected Services provided additional features like remote camera activation and driver profiles.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX came standard with a range of driver-assistance features and performed well in safety tests. It earned a five-star overall crash protection rating from the NHTSA and received "Good" ratings in all IIHS crash tests. The Encore GX's top Essence trim received an "Acceptable" rating for its LED headlights, while other trims received a "Marginal" rating for their halogen headlights.

The 2022 Genesis GV70, being a new model, did not have crash-test ratings from the IIHS or NHTSA at the time. However, it came standard with numerous safety features, including lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, and Highway Driving Assist. Optional features included Highway Driving Assist 2 with lane-change functionality and navigation-based adaptive cruise control.