2023 Kia Telluride vs 2022 Buick Encore GX

The 2022 Buick Encore GX was often mistaken for its sibling, the Encore, due to their strikingly similar designs. 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, making it appear less tall and stubby. The optional ST (Sport Touring) appearance package enhanced its aesthetics 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 a mix of cloth and leather seats, depending on the trim. The heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel and straightforward controls added to its appeal, although some found the rotary toggles embedded in the spokes cumbersome.

The 2023 Kia Telluride X-Line and X-Pro models showcased fresh front and rear styling, updated headlights and taillights, and new wheel designs. New paint colors like Midnight Lake Blue, Dawning Red, and Jungle Green, along with interior colors such as Terracotta, Navy, and Sage Green, added to its allure. The X-Line replaced the Nightfall Edition, featuring a unique grille design, raised roof rails, body-color door handles, and black 20-inch wheels. The X-Pro went further with exclusive 18-inch wheels and all-terrain tires. Inside, the Telluride boasted a digital instrumentation panel and a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, housed under a curved 24-inch piece of glass. Minor trim changes, a new steering-wheel design, and a more functional center console rounded out the interior updates.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX offered two turbocharged three-cylinder engines: 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 (FWD) was standard, with all-wheel drive (AWD) available as an option. FWD models used a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), while AWD models employed a traditional nine-speed automatic. The 1.3-liter turbo engine and CVT combination proved capable, though it was a bit buzzy and harsh. The Encore GX's ride was not as settled as expected from a Buick, and noise levels were higher than anticipated. Despite its SUV classification, the Encore GX was not designed for off-roading, handling only light gravel and dirt paths during testing.

The 2023 Kia Telluride retained its 3.8-liter V6 engine, producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Drivers could choose from Eco, Comfort, Smart, Sport, and Snow driving modes, with the AWD system offering a low-speed Lock setting for even power distribution. The V6 engine provided ample power, averaging 24.1 mpg in the X-Line and 20.4 mpg in the X-Pro, which included off-roading. The Telluride's suspension was raised by 10mm, increasing ground clearance to 8.4 inches and improving approach and departure angles. The X-Pro model featured 18-inch wheels, all-terrain tires, and an improved cooling system, boosting towing capacity to 5,500 pounds. The Telluride excelled in off-road conditions, showcasing its AWD Lock mode, all-terrain tires, and Downhill Brake Control system. On highways, the Telluride offered a smooth, quiet ride, with some wind noise at higher speeds.

Despite its small size, the 2022 Buick Encore GX provided a comfortable and spacious experience. Ingress and egress were easy, and 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 bench seat and 50.2 cubic feet with the seat folded. The two-level cargo floor created a flat load floor when the rear seats were folded, accommodating items up to eight feet in length. The optional hands-free power liftgate added convenience, with an adjustable maximum height feature.

The 2023 Kia Telluride accommodated seven or eight passengers, depending on the second-row seating configuration. Test vehicles featured premium Nappa leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, and heated and ventilated front- and second-row captain’s chairs. The second row offered manual side-window sunshades, adjustable armrests, USB ports, and storage pockets. A button on the second-row captain’s chairs facilitated access to the third-row seating area, which was more comfortable than many competitors. Cargo space was generous, with 21 cubic feet behind the third row, 46 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 87 cubic feet with both rear rows folded. The "smart" power tailgate with proximity-sensing and automatic closing function added convenience.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX came with an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth audio streaming, Buick Connected Services, front and rear USB ports, OnStar telematics, and SiriusXM satellite radio. A navigation system was available on Select and Essence trims, along with built-in Amazon Alexa capability. 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 2023 Kia Telluride featured a new 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, navigation, and Kia Connect services, including a Wi-Fi hotspot. The voice recognition system performed well, though it did not control the climate system. The Kia Access smartphone app allowed remote control of some vehicle functions via Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. The Telluride also offered six USB charging ports, Driver Talk and Quiet Mode, a 10-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system, wireless smartphone charging, and digital-key technology. The Full Display Mirror provided a video view of what was behind the SUV, and the head-up display (HUD) had a larger, full-color 10-inch viewing area. The Leading Vehicle Departure Alert system notified drivers when the car ahead started moving.

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. Teen Driver technology allowed owners to track driving habits and set limits. The Encore GX earned five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for overall crash protection and "Good" ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (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 Encore GX also received "Superior" ratings for front crash prevention.

The 2023 Kia Telluride offered an extensive list of standard safety features, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, junction turning system, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear parking sensors, rear cross-traffic alert with automatic braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, and Safe Exit Assist. Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and Highway Drive Assist 1.5 were standard, with Highway Drive Assist 2.0 available on higher trims. The Telluride SX included additional collision avoidance features, front parking sensors, low-speed automatic braking, a surround-view camera, and a Blind-Spot View Monitor. A Rear Occupant Alert system with ultrasonic sensors was also standard. Crash-test ratings for the 2023 Telluride were unavailable at the time of review.