2022 Chevrolet Suburban vs 2023 Buick Encore GX

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban, with its 2021 redesign, adopted Chevrolet's full-size truck design language, sharing its exterior styling with the Tahoe SUV and Silverado 1500 pickup. This gave the Suburban a supersized appearance, characterized by a tall hood, long proportions, and large wheels. The SUV was available in six trims, each offering different grille, fascia, and wheel designs, allowing for a degree of customization. The RST trim, in particular, stood out with its Cherry Red Tintcoat exterior, 22-inch black-painted wheels, and sporty monochromatic black grille with Black Ice accents. Inside, the Suburban offered a spacious cabin ranging from economically comfortable in the base LS trim to plush in the High Country. The RST trim featured 10-way power seats, Jet Black perforated leather with Victory Red stitching, and an optional Luxury package, though the predominantly black interior felt a bit dark despite the chrome and red accents.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX, however, did not reflect Buick's historical design prowess. Its rounded exterior and tall stance resulted in awkward proportions that failed to convey the high-riding SUV look. The Sport Touring Package attempted to enhance its appearance with unique bumpers, a black mesh grille with red inserts, and two-tone wheels, but the changes were subtle. Inside, the top-trim Essence model included leather upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and power-adjustable seats, but the abundance of plastic reminded occupants of its entry-level status in Buick's lineup. The dashboard and door panels were reminiscent of 1990s design, though the instrument cluster with its round binnacles and digital display was a notable feature.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban offered three engine choices: a 5.3-liter V8 with 355 horsepower, a 6.2-liter V8 with 420 horsepower, and a 3.0-liter turbodiesel inline-six with 277 horsepower. All engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The 6.2-liter V8, available on higher trims, provided effortless power and acceleration, making it ideal for towing, with a maximum capacity of 8,300 pounds. The Suburban's independent rear suspension improved ride quality and increased interior space. Our RST test vehicle, equipped with the 6.2-liter V8, excelled in towing a Chevrolet Impala on a trailer, showcasing its capability and ease of use with features like hitch guidance and multiple rear camera views.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX offered two turbocharged three-cylinder engines: a 1.2-liter with 137 horsepower and a 1.3-liter with 155 horsepower. The 1.3-liter engine, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission in AWD models, provided stronger acceleration than expected, though power delivery was not always smooth. The Encore GX excelled in ride comfort and noise reduction, thanks to its well-damped suspension and active noise cancellation. However, its driving experience was marred by slow steering and significant body roll, making it feel ponderous and awkward.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban excelled in interior space, accommodating up to nine passengers with the optional front-row bench seat. The third row was spacious enough for adults, and access was easy. Cargo space was impressive, with 41.5 cubic feet behind the third row and 144.7 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. The power-sliding center console and numerous storage cubbies added to its practicality. However, its large size made maneuvering and parking challenging, especially in congested areas.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX offered competitive passenger space, though front seats were placed close together, reducing the sense of spaciousness. Cargo space was respectable, with 23.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 50.2 cubic feet with them folded. Small-item storage was well-executed, with large door pockets and a space-efficient wireless phone charger. Instrumentation was clear and user-friendly, though the lack of a 360-degree camera button was a drawback.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban featured a range of tech options, including a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and Google built-in on LT trims and above. The Chevrolet Infotainment 3 System with an 8-inch touchscreen was standard, while a 10.2-inch system with Google built-in was available on higher trims. Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot were standard, with a nine-speaker Bose audio system on the LT and a premium 10-speaker system on the Premier and High Country.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX came with an 8-inch touchscreen and a 4.2-inch driver information display. Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a WiFi hotspot were standard, with optional navigation, a head-up display, and an eight-speaker Bose audio system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though the screen size was smaller than some competitors.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban included standard safety features like automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring. It received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with four stars for front crash protection and five stars for side crash protection.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX offered standard driver assist features such as automatic emergency braking and lane keep assist. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera system. It was an IIHS 2022 Top Safety Pick and received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with top scores in frontal and side crash tests.