2023 Buick Encore GX vs 2022 Subaru Outback

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness presented a rugged and elevated stance, distinguishing itself from the standard Outback with 9.5 inches of ground clearance and aggressive all-terrain tires. Its unique design elements, such as a distinctive grille, black 17-inch wheels, and Anodized Copper accents, added to its adventurous appeal. The interior featured dark gray and black StarTex water-repellant upholstery, Anodized Copper stitching, and all-weather floor mats, creating a purposeful and durable environment. Priced at $36,995 plus destination charges, the Outback Wilderness offered a blend of off-road capability and distinctive styling.

In contrast, the 2023 Buick Encore GX's design did not reflect Buick's storied history of great designs. The rounded exterior and tall stance gave it awkward proportions, lacking the high-riding SUV look that attracts buyers. The optional Sport Touring Package added subtle enhancements like different bumpers and a black mesh grille, but the overall effect was minimal. Inside, the Encore GX Essence trim featured leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control, and power-adjustable seats, but the abundance of plastic reminded occupants of its position at the bottom of Buick's hierarchy. The dashboard and door panels had a dated design, though the instrument cluster was a notable highlight.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was powered by a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, producing 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. This engine, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), provided ample power for the 3,896-pound vehicle, though the CVT's droning and simulated gear changes detracted from the driving experience. The Wilderness trim's 9.5 inches of ground clearance, all-terrain tires, and revised suspension made it the most capable Outback for off-road adventures. It featured a dual-function X-Mode traction system, hill descent control, and improved approach and departure angles, making it adept at tackling challenging terrain.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX offered two turbocharged three-cylinder engines: a 1.2-liter producing 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque, and a 1.3-liter with 155 hp and 174 lb-ft 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 provided decent acceleration, but power delivery was not smooth, and the nine-speed automatic could be caught in the wrong gear. 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 in most driving situations, with slow and lifeless steering.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured dark gray StarTex upholstery, which was water-repellant but could be uncomfortable in hot weather. The front seats offered 10-way power adjustment for the driver and 8-way for the passenger, while the rear seats provided ample space for two adults or three children. The cargo area measured 32.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 75.7 cubic feet with the seats folded flat. The robust roof rack could support a 700-pound static load, making it suitable for rooftop camping.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX had competitive passenger space, with headroom comparable to rivals like the Hyundai Kona and Mazda CX-30. However, the front seats were placed close together, reducing the feeling of spaciousness, and lacked thigh support. The cargo area offered 23.5 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 50.2 cubic feet with them folded. Despite the limited cabin size, the Encore GX had ample small-item storage, including large door pockets and a space-efficient wireless phone charger. The instrumentation was well-executed, with clear displays and an array of hard buttons for easy use.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness came with an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which dominated the center of the dashboard. While it had physical knobs for volume and tuning, most functions required the touchscreen, and the voice recognition technology was not user-friendly. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available for better voice assistant functionality. The Outback also featured PIN code entry technology, allowing owners to leave the key fob inside the vehicle during outdoor activities.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX had a standard 8-inch touchscreen and a 4.2-inch driver information display. Optional features included 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 infotainment system was user-friendly, with clear graphics and an intuitive interface, though the 8-inch screen was relatively small by current standards.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured the EyeSight advanced driving assistance system (ADAS), which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and lane-centering assistance. It also had steering-responsive headlights, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic warning. The Outback Wilderness had not been crash-tested at the time of review, but the standard Outback earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX came with standard driver assist features like automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, and automatic high beams. 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 2022 Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.