2022 Buick Encore GX vs 2023 Volvo XC90

The 2022 Buick Encore GX bore a striking resemblance to its sibling, the Encore, making it difficult to distinguish between the two, especially in the same color. Both SUVs featured Buick's signature trapezoidal "waterfall" grille, high beltline, and similar headlight styling, front fascia designs, and fog light locations. The Encore GX, however, had a slightly longer wheelbase and additional length, which helped it appear less tall and stubby. The optional ST (Sport Touring) appearance package enhanced its looks with body-color bodyside and rocker moldings, custom grille, sport bumpers with red accents, 18-inch aluminum wheels, and an "ST" badge on the liftgate.

Inside, the Encore GX offered an attractive cabin with soft-touch materials and minimal hard plastic. Cloth seats were standard on base models, while leather seats were standard on the top Essence trim. Our test vehicle featured heated seats covered in Whisper Beige leather with Ebony accents, adding a touch of elegance. The heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel was well-sized and featured handy redundant controls, though the rotary toggles embedded in the spokes were a bit cumbersome. Overall, the controls and instrumentation were straightforward, legible, and user-friendly.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 showcased a significant evolution in Volvo's design language, moving away from the boxy aesthetics of the past. The XC90's front end appeared stout and solid without being overly flashy, and the grille was assertive yet tasteful. The "Thor’s Hammer" headlights added a modern flair, and the overall dimensions and shape, while still rectilinear, were far from the toaster-like designs of old. Our test vehicle, an AWD Ultimate trim, featured 21-inch wheels with low-profile Pirelli Scorpion all-season tires, adding a touch of drama to the otherwise stoic XC90.

Inside, the XC90's design was elegant and minimalist, with a beautiful blend of materials. The steering wheel featured two-tone leather and a three-spoke design, while the metal Bowers and Wilkins speaker covers, Orrefors crystal shift knob, and luxurious Nappa leather upholstery added a touch of luxury. The cabin had a clean look with wood deco inlays, and the minimalist design extended to the controls, with only a few physical buttons. The overall ambiance was one of understated elegance and sophistication.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX offered two turbocharged three-cylinder engine options: 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 available as an option on the lower trims. Front-wheel drive (FWD) was standard across all trims, 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.

In our test vehicle, the 1.3-liter turbo engine and CVT combination proved surprisingly capable, though it was a bit buzzy and harsh. The power was adequate for merging and highway driving, but the engine stop/start feature was somewhat annoying. The ride quality was less settled than expected, and noise, vibration, and harshness levels were higher than anticipated. Despite Buick's QuietTuning and active noise cancellation technologies, the Encore GX was noisier inside than expected. Handling was drama-free but uninspiring, and the vehicle was not suited for off-roading.

For 2023, Volvo replaced the older turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engines (T5 and T6) in the XC90 with new B5 and B6 engines featuring mild-hybrid technology. The B5 engine, with a turbocharger and 48-volt mild-hybrid system, produced 247 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The B6 powertrain, which included a supercharger and turbo, delivered 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. The mild-hybrid system improved fuel efficiency and smoothness, though the gains were minimal.

The XC90's driving experience was enjoyable and reserved, with quick acceleration and a responsive eight-speed automatic transmission. The vehicle handled well, with minimal roll through corners despite its size. Road and wind noise were well-insulated, and the brakes provided a confident, solid pedal feel. The XC90's driving dynamics were straightforward, with few customizable options, making it easy to drive. During our test, the XC90 performed well in a New Hampshire snowstorm, though dedicated winter tires would have provided additional confidence.

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. The slightly elevated ride height provided excellent visibility, aided by the optional rear camera mirror. Front-seat headroom and legroom were ample, though rear-seat knee room was tight, and fitting three adults in the back was unlikely.

Cargo space in the Encore GX measured 23.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 50.2 cubic feet with the seats folded. The two-level cargo floor created a flat load floor when the rear seats were folded, and the vehicle could accommodate items up to eight feet in length. The optional hands-free power liftgate added convenience, with a rotary dial to adjust the maximum height for easier access.

The 2023 Volvo XC90's interior was elegant and minimalist, but it lacked cubby space for smaller items. There was no dedicated space for a cell phone, and the USB port for phone charging was located in the small center console bin. The second row was comfortable and spacious, but adjusting the seats was challenging. The standard second-row bench seat could be replaced with captain’s chairs for an additional cost, but this required upgrading to the B6 engine.

The third row was difficult to access, and space was limited. With the third row in place, the XC90 offered 12.5 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded and 65.5 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. This cargo capacity was less than some competitors. Despite its smaller size, the XC90 drove like a smaller car, making it easy to maneuver.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX offered decent tech for its price, with a standard eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth audio streaming, Buick Connected Services, a built-in WiFi hotspot, front and rear USB ports, OnStar telematics, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Navigation was available on higher trims, and built-in Amazon Alexa capability was also offered. Our test vehicle had a basic audio system, despite the tech options.

Driver-assistance features included 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 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 Volvo XC90 featured a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment display running Google OS, with Google Maps, Spotify, NPR, and Google Assistant as standard features. The 12.3-inch driver information display also showed Google Maps. Natural-language recognition was excellent, and owners could issue commands via Google Home devices. However, many key functions were controlled through the touchscreen, which could be frustrating. The minimalist design meant fewer physical buttons, and some features took time to get used to.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX came standard with several driver-assistance features, including Teen Driver technology and a tire-fill alert system. The Encore GX performed well in NHTSA crash tests, earning five stars for overall crash protection, frontal and side crash protection, and four stars for rollover resistance. The IIHS awarded the Encore GX "Good" ratings in all crash tests, with "Superior" ratings for front crash prevention. However, headlight ratings varied, with the top trim receiving an "Acceptable" rating and lower trims receiving a "Marginal" rating.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 continued Volvo's legacy of safety, earning a five-star rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS. The XC90's advanced driver safety tech included adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and Pilot Assist technology, which helped maintain distance and lane position. These safety features were standard on the 2023 XC90, reinforcing Volvo's commitment to safety.