2022 Subaru Forester vs 2023 Buick Encore GX

The 2022 Subaru Forester came in various trims, including base, Premium, Sport, Wilderness, Limited, and Touring, with prices starting at $25,195 and topping out at $35,295 for the Touring model. All-wheel drive was standard across all trims. The Forester Wilderness, tested in Bend, Oregon, featured a white exterior, dark gray interior with water-repellant StarTex simulated leather, and a base price of $33,945. With additional options like a navigation system, Harman Kardon premium sound system, and a power rear liftgate, the total cost reached $36,014. The Wilderness trim added rugged features like a suspension lift, higher ride height, and extensive protective cladding, which gave it a raccoon-like appearance. Inside, the Forester emphasized functionality over aesthetics, with a mix of hard plastic and soft surfaces, copper-colored stitching, and an 8-inch Starlink infotainment system.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX, despite Buick's rich design history, lacked any retro styling cues and had a rounded exterior with awkward proportions. The Sport Touring Package attempted to enhance its appearance with unique bumpers, a black mesh grille with red inserts, and 18-inch wheels, but the changes were subtle. The interior of the top-trim Essence model included leather upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, and power-adjustable front seats. However, the extensive use of plastic reminded us of its entry-level status within Buick's lineup. The dashboard and door panels had a blob-like design reminiscent of 1990s cars, but the instrument cluster with two round binnacles and a small digital display was a standout feature.

The 2022 Subaru Forester continued with its 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. All models featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive. The Wilderness model's CVT provided a 25% increase in initial torque supply, doubling its towing capacity to 3,000 pounds. The EPA estimated a combined fuel economy of 26 mpg, and during testing, it averaged 25.9 mpg. The Forester's engine, while adequate at sea level, felt sluggish at higher altitudes. The CVT had eight programmed ratios and included SI-Drive for a more responsive Sport mode. The dual-function X-Mode system offered various settings for different terrains, and the Wilderness trim had a re-tuned suspension with longer springs and shocks, improving ground clearance to 9.2 inches. The Forester excelled in various driving conditions, including off-road trails, but lacked engine power and had noticeable wind noise at higher speeds.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX offered two turbocharged three-cylinder engines: a 1.2-liter producing 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, and a 1.3-liter with 155 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque. Front-wheel drive models used a CVT, while all-wheel drive models had a nine-speed automatic transmission. The 1.3-liter AWD test car felt stronger than its specs suggested but required patience for smooth power delivery. The nine-speed automatic could be caught in higher gears, making manual shifting less ideal. The Encore GX provided a comfortable ride and a quiet cabin, thanks to its well-damped suspension and active noise cancellation. However, it felt ponderous and awkward in most situations, with slow and lifeless steering and significant body roll.

The 2022 Subaru Forester prioritized functionality, with easy entry and exit due to tall seating hip points. The Wilderness trim featured water-resistant StarTex upholstery, all-weather floor mats, a rubber cargo mat, and washable rear seatbacks. The upgraded roof rails could accommodate a three-person roof tent. The Forester offered high comfort levels, excellent visibility, and decent storage space, including 28.9 cubic feet of cargo space without the panoramic sunroof and 26.9 cubic feet with it. Folding the rear seats down increased cargo capacity to 74.2 cubic feet (69.1 with the sunroof), making it one of the roomiest compact SUVs.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX had competitive passenger space, with headroom comparable to rivals like the Hyundai Kona and Mazda CX-30. The Kia Seltos offered more cargo space, but the Encore GX's 23.5 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 50.2 cubic feet with them folded was respectable. The front seats were placed far inboard, reducing the feeling of spaciousness, and lacked thigh support. However, the Encore GX made good use of available space with large door pockets and a center-console tray. The instrumentation was well-executed, with clear information displays and an array of hard buttons for ease of use.

The 2022 Subaru Forester included a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, HD Radio, and Starlink connected services. Premium trim added a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Higher trims featured an 8-inch screen, navigation system, Harman Kardon premium sound system, and a 180-degree forward-view camera. The PIN Code Access feature allowed keyless entry for outdoor activities.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen, 4.2-inch driver information display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Optional features included a built-in navigation system, head-up display, wireless phone charging, and an eight-speaker Bose audio system. The interface was user-friendly, with clear graphics and menu layouts.

The 2022 Subaru Forester introduced the next-generation EyeSight 4.0 safety system with improved camera-based technology and a new Automatic Emergency Steering system. EyeSight 4.0 included automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. The Forester also featured a rear-seat reminder system, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear automatic braking. The Touring trim added DriverFocus facial recognition technology. The Forester earned a 5-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA and was expected to retain its IIHS "Top Safety Pick+" rating.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX had standard driver assist features like automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and a Teen Driver system. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, automatic park assist, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, a 360-degree camera system, and a rearview camera mirror. The Encore GX received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and was an IIHS 2022 Top Safety Pick.