2022 Buick Encore GX vs 2022 Honda Odyssey

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was a minivan that catered to families with its practical design and thoughtful features. Its sliding side doors made it easy to load children into car seats, even in tight parking spaces. The Odyssey offered a spacious and comfortable third-row seat, accommodating additional passengers like grandparents or carpool groups with ease. Its cargo space was impressive, rivaling that of larger SUVs when the seats were folded down or removed. Despite its utilitarian nature, the Odyssey managed to maintain a sense of style, especially in the Elite trim with its dark gray 19-inch aluminum wheels and quality interior materials.

In contrast, the 2022 Buick Encore GX was a compact SUV that shared a strong family resemblance with its sibling, the Encore. It featured a slightly longer wheelbase, giving it a more balanced appearance. The Encore GX was particularly appealing with the optional ST appearance package, which added sporty elements like custom grille accents and 18-inch aluminum wheels. Inside, the Encore GX offered a comfortable cabin with soft-touch materials and leather seats in higher trims. While it wasn't as spacious as the Odyssey, it provided a pleasant driving experience with easy-to-use controls and good visibility.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was powered by a robust 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It was paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, providing a smooth driving experience. However, the Odyssey lacked all-wheel drive and hybrid options, which were available in some of its competitors. Its fuel economy was estimated at 22 mpg in combined driving. Despite some brake issues on steep descents, the Odyssey was enjoyable to drive, offering quick acceleration and responsive handling.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX offered two turbocharged three-cylinder engine options: a 1.2-liter engine with 137 horsepower and a 1.3-liter engine with 155 horsepower. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available as an option. The Encore GX with front-wheel drive used a continuously variable transmission, while the all-wheel-drive version had a nine-speed automatic. The 1.3-liter engine provided adequate power for merging and highway driving, though it was a bit noisy. The Encore GX's ride was less refined than expected, with noticeable noise and vibration levels.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey excelled in interior space and versatility. Its low ride height made entry and exit easy, and the cabin was filled with quality materials and thoughtful features like an onboard vacuum cleaner. The second-row Magic Slide seats allowed for flexible seating arrangements, and the third-row seat was comfortable for adults. The Odyssey offered 32.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 144.9 cubic feet with the seats removed, making it ideal for family road trips.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX, while compact, provided a comfortable and user-friendly interior. It offered adequate front-seat headroom and legroom, though rear-seat space was tighter. The cargo area measured 23.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 50.2 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Encore GX featured a two-level cargo floor and an optional hands-free power liftgate for added convenience. While not as spacious as the Odyssey, it was practical for everyday use.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey Elite was equipped with a range of technology features, though its infotainment system was starting to show its age. It included an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a rear-seat entertainment system. CabinWatch and CabinTalk technologies were available on higher trims, allowing the driver to monitor and communicate with rear passengers. However, the system lacked a tuning knob and had a small screen compared to modern standards.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX offered a solid tech package for its price. It came with an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot. The Advanced Technology package added features like a head-up display and adaptive cruise control. The Encore GX's infotainment system was intuitive and user-friendly, with easy Bluetooth pairing and efficient voice recognition.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey came standard with Honda Sensing, a suite of driver assistance features including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. It also had a rear-seat reminder system and automatic high-beam headlights. The Odyssey received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS. However, some safety features lacked refinement, occasionally providing false warnings or abrupt responses.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX was equipped with a range of safety features, including Teen Driver technology and a tire-fill alert system. It earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and "Good" ratings in all IIHS crash tests. The Encore GX's headlights received mixed ratings, with the top trim's LED headlights rated "Acceptable" and lower trims' halogen headlights rated "Marginal." It also received "Superior" ratings for front crash prevention.