2022 Buick Encore GX vs 2023 Acura MDX

The 2022 Buick Encore GX was often mistaken for its sibling, the Encore, due to their strikingly similar design elements. Both SUVs featured Buick's signature trapezoidal "waterfall" grille, high beltline, and comparable headlight styling. The Encore GX, however, had a slightly longer wheelbase and additional length, which gave it a more balanced appearance. The optional ST (Sport Touring) appearance package enhanced its aesthetics with body-color moldings, custom grille, sport bumpers, and 18-inch aluminum wheels.

Inside, the Encore GX offered a five-passenger cabin with soft-touch materials and minimal hard plastic. The base models came with cloth seats, while the top Essence trim featured leather seats. Our test vehicle had heated Whisper Beige leather seats with Ebony accents, adding a touch of elegance. The heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel was well-sized and functional, though the rotary toggles embedded in the spokes were somewhat cumbersome. Overall, the controls and instrumentation were straightforward and user-friendly.

The 2023 Acura MDX Type S Advance trim arrived with a striking Apex Blue Pearl paint and an Orchid interior. Priced at $74,995, it set high expectations for luxury and performance. The fourth-generation MDX, the first to wear the Type S badge, featured subtle yet sophisticated design elements, including chicane-design LED lights, 21-inch wheels, and quad exhaust outlets. The panoramic sunroof and Iconic Drive ambient lighting added to its allure.

Inside, the MDX Type S boasted perforated Milano leather, aluminum trim, and a Sport Appearance package. The Type S Advance added open-pore wood and a leather-wrapped dashboard. However, the gloss black plastic on the dashboard made some controls difficult to use. The electronic transmission switchgear was also a point of contention, as it occasionally caused confusion. Despite these minor issues, the MDX Type S remained an attractive luxury SUV.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX offered two turbocharged three-cylinder engines: a 1.2-liter producing 137 horsepower and a 1.3-liter generating 155 hp. The 1.2-liter engine was standard on the Preferred and Select trims, while the 1.3-liter 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 as an option. FWD models used a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), while AWD models had a nine-speed automatic.

In our test vehicle, the 1.3-liter turbo engine and CVT proved surprisingly capable, though the engine was a bit buzzy. The power was sufficient for merging onto highways, and the engine stop/start feature, while slightly annoying, could be overridden. The ride quality was less settled than expected, and noise levels were higher than anticipated, despite Buick's QuietTuning technology. The Encore GX handled gravel driveways and dirt patches with ease, but it wasn't designed for off-roading.

The 2023 Acura MDX Type S featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine producing 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD), provided a dynamic driving experience. The Integrated Dynamics System offered various driving modes, including Snow, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+, with an exclusive Lift mode for increased ground clearance.

Despite the performance enhancements, the MDX Type S struggled to deliver a cohesive driving experience. The transmission was indecisive, the ride lacked compliance, and the brake pedal response was inconsistent. The turbocharged V6, while powerful, didn't offer a significant improvement over the standard V6, and fuel economy was disappointing. On our evaluation route, the MDX Type S averaged 16.9 mpg, falling short of the EPA rating of 19 mpg in combined driving.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX, though small, offered a comfortable and user-friendly experience. Ingress and egress were easy, and the controls were clearly marked and legible. 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 the seats folded. The two-level cargo floor and optional hands-free power liftgate added convenience.

The 2023 Acura MDX provided three rows of seats and a spacious cargo area. Our test vehicle featured 16-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage functions. The second-row seat could be configured for two or three passengers, and the third row was best suited for children. The cargo area offered 18.1 cubic feet behind the third row, 39.1 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 71.4 cubic feet with both rear rows folded. The hands-free liftgate with Walk Away Close function was a thoughtful addition.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX came with an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, WiFi hotspot, USB ports, OnStar, and SiriusXM. The Advanced Technology package added HD surround vision, a head-up display, adaptive cruise control, and an upgraded infotainment system with navigation and voice recognition. The Convenience package included automatic parking assist, wireless phone charging, and rain-sensing wipers.

The 2023 Acura MDX featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch infotainment display. However, the infotainment screen wasn't touch-sensitive, requiring the use of a True Touchpad Interface (TTI). The TTI design, while innovative, had its flaws, including a lack of storage space and partial obstruction of the wireless charging pad. The MDX also offered wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa Built-In, SiriusXM, and a native navigation system. The Advance package added a 10.5-inch head-up display and a high-end audio system with 25 speakers.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX came standard with a suite of driver assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assistance, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Encore GX earned five stars from the NHTSA for overall crash protection and "Good" ratings from the IIHS in all crash tests. The top Essence trim received an "Acceptable" rating for its LED headlights, while lower trims received a "Marginal" rating for their halogen headlights.

The 2023 Acura MDX included Acura Watch, a collection of safety features such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and Traffic Jam Assist. The MDX also had blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and front and rear parking sensors. The MDX earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and an overall five-star rating from the NHTSA, though it received four stars for frontal-impact protection.