2023 Buick Encore GX vs 2022 Genesis GV70

The 2022 Genesis GV70 boasted a distinctive design that set it apart from its Genesis siblings, despite sharing some styling elements. It featured quad LED strips for headlights and taillights, a large shield-shaped grille, and a sloping roofline that gave it a fastback appearance. The ribbed detailing added a muscular touch, blending SUV bulk with sleek, car-like elements. The Sport Prestige model further enhanced its character with unique styling features, including a model-specific front fascia, 21-inch wheels with a web pattern, and dark chrome trim. Inside, the GV70's interior was inspired by an airplane wing's cross-section, with an elliptical theme and minimalistic design. The touchscreen was perched atop the dashboard, and the rotary gear selector and infotainment controller added a touch of sophistication. The interior offered a range of color options and luxurious materials, with Nappa leather upholstery and suede seat inserts in the Sport Prestige model.

In contrast, the 2023 Buick Encore GX departed from Buick's historical design legacy, presenting a more modern yet less distinctive appearance. Its rounded exterior surfaces and tall stance resulted in awkward proportions that didn't quite capture the SUV aesthetic. The optional Sport Touring Package attempted to add flair with different bumpers, a black mesh grille with red inserts, and 18-inch wheels, but the changes were subtle. Inside, the Encore GX Essence model featured expected top-trim amenities like leather upholstery and dual-zone climate control, but the interior was dominated by plastic materials, reminding occupants of its position in Buick's lineup. The dashboard and door panels had a blob-like design reminiscent of 1990s automotive styling, with the instrument cluster being the standout feature, framed by two round binnacles.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered two powerful engine options: a base 2.5-liter turbo-four engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 generating 375 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive, setting it apart from competitors like the BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, which had rear-wheel drive as standard. The GV70 also featured a rear electronic limited-slip differential and launch control, emphasizing its sporty intentions. The Sport+ drive mode further enhanced its performance, holding high revs and sharpening throttle response. However, the GV70's chassis felt heavy, lacking the sharpness of rivals like the Acura RDX and Porsche Macan. While it excelled on highways, the firm ride and lack of solidity detracted from its luxury appeal.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX offered two turbocharged three-cylinder engines: a standard 1.2-liter turbo-three with 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, and an optional 1.3-liter engine producing 155 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available for the 1.3-liter engine. The Encore GX employed different transmissions for FWD and AWD models, with a CVT for FWD and a nine-speed automatic for AWD. The 1.3-liter AWD model provided decent acceleration, but power delivery was not smooth, requiring patience to extract performance. The Encore GX excelled in ride comfort and noise reduction, thanks to its well-damped suspension and active noise cancellation. However, it felt ponderous and awkward, with slow steering and significant body roll.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered mid-pack interior space for its segment. Despite its car-like roofline, it provided comparable front-seat headroom to the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class and back-seat headroom to the BMW X3. Legroom in both rows was adequate, and rear-seat visibility was good. Cargo space measured 28.9 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 56.9 cubic feet with them folded, placing it in the middle ground of the segment. The daring interior design compromised storage space, with limited room in the center console and door pockets. However, it included a covered storage cubby with USB ports for phones, and rear-seat passengers had their own climate controls. The front seats in the Sport Prestige model were heavily bolstered, offering heating, ventilation, massage, and posture-assist functions.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX provided competitive passenger space compared to similar-sized crossovers. Headroom in both rows was within an inch of rivals like the Hyundai Kona and Mazda CX-30, while the Kia Seltos offered more back-seat legroom. The Encore GX's cargo space measured 23.5 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 50.2 cubic feet with them folded, surpassing the Kona and CX-30. However, the front seats were positioned close together, reducing the sense of spaciousness, and lacked thigh support. Buick maximized small-item storage with large door pockets and a center-console tray. The wireless phone charger was space-efficient, and the instrumentation was well-executed, with clear information conveyance.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 impressed with its tech offerings. It featured a standard 14.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, boasting a tile-based layout and crisp graphics. The glass rotary controller added functionality with pinch-and-zoom capabilities. Higher trims offered a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12-inch head-up display with a 3D effect. The GV70 also included a digital-key feature, allowing smartphone use in place of a key fob, and a fingerprint scanner for starting the car. Its rear-seat monitors used radar to detect a baby's breathing, and the 360-degree camera system could be activated remotely. Genesis Connected Services provided additional features like driver profiles and valet mode.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX came with a standard 8-inch touchscreen and a 4.2-inch driver information display. It offered optional features like a built-in navigation system, head-up display, wireless phone charging, and an eight-speaker Bose audio system. Standard tech included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The interface was user-friendly, with graphics that looked nicer than many competitors'. The 8-inch touchscreen was small by current standards but fit well within the dashboard design.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, blind-spot and forward collision-avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and a driver-attention monitor. It also featured Highway Driving Assist with automated lane centering and adaptive cruise control. The GV70 had eight standard airbags, including a front-center airbag. Optional features included Highway Driving Assist 2 with lane-change functionality and navigation-based adaptive cruise control. However, crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX offered standard driver-assist features like automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, and lane departure warning. Additional features like adaptive cruise control, automatic park assist, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross traffic alert were available as options. The Encore GX received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and was an IIHS 2022 Top Safety Pick, with top "Good" ratings in all crash tests.