2023 Buick Encore GX vs 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan stood out among its competitors with a design that was both creased and symmetrical, leaning towards conservatism. This approach, while not eliciting strong emotional responses, aged well and appealed to fans of simplicity and minimalism. The refreshed front styling aligned the Tiguan with Volkswagen’s larger Atlas models, featuring a restyled grille with the new VW logo and an available illuminated grille bar. Standard LED headlights, new nameplate lettering on the rear liftgate, and redesigned aluminum wheels added to its refined look. The SEL R-Line trim, in particular, boasted a sportier appearance with options like Atlantic Blue Metallic paint and 18-inch alloy wheels.

Inside, the Tiguan SEL R-Line offered a richer cabin experience with perforated and piped leather upholstery, new technology, touch-sensing steering wheel and climate controls, and ambient lighting with 15 color choices. The interior featured tasteful metallic accents, though the hard plastic on the lower half of the cabin hinted at its mass-market status. Standard features included keyless entry, push-button start, and heated front seats, with remote engine starting available from the SE trim. The updated Tiguan retained its great looks while adding extra pizzazz, keeping it fresh until a full redesign.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX, however, did not reflect Buick’s historical design excellence. The rounded exterior surfaces and tall stance gave the Encore GX awkward proportions that failed to convey the high-riding SUV look. Even with the optional Sport Touring Package, which included different bumpers, a black mesh grille with red inserts, and 18-inch wheels, the changes were subtle and barely noticeable. The interior of the Encore GX Essence trim featured 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 position at the bottom of Buick’s hierarchy. The fit and finish were good, but the design lacked interest, with a blob-like dashboard and door panels reminiscent of 1990s automotive design.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan continued with its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 221 pound-feet of torque at 1,900 rpm. An eight-speed automatic transmission transferred power to the front wheels, with an optional 4Motion AWD system that could send up to half the power to the rear wheels. The Tiguan offered Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual driving modes, with additional Offroad settings for AWD models. Despite its 7.6 inches of ground clearance, the Tiguan was best kept on well-traveled paths. The MacPherson struts in front and multi-link independent rear suspension, along with variable assist steering, provided a nimble and responsive driving experience. However, the engine’s torque arrived later than some turbocharged engines, resulting in momentary turbo lag. The Tiguan’s fuel economy was rated at 24 mpg combined, with our test drive averaging 24.7 mpg.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX offered two turbocharged three-cylinder engines: a standard 1.2-liter producing 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, and an optional 1.3-liter engine with 155 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque. FWD models used a CVT, while AWD models came with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Our 1.3-liter AWD test car felt stronger than the specs suggested, but power delivery was not smooth, requiring patience to get the most out of the engine. The Encore GX excelled in ride comfort and noise reduction, with a well-damped suspension and standard active noise cancellation. However, the driving experience was ponderous and awkward, with slow and lifeless steering and significant body roll.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan was spacious enough to be compared to smaller midsize SUVs. It offered a standard third-row seat in FWD models, though 4Motion models did not. The SEL R-Line trim featured comfortable leather front seats with eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The second row was roomy and comfortable for adults, with rear air conditioning vents and a USB charging port. The switch to touch controls on the steering wheel and dashboard was a notable change, though they were harder to use than traditional buttons. Cargo space was among the best in its class, with 37.6 cubic feet behind the back seat and a maximum of 73.4 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX offered competitive passenger space, with headroom comparable to rivals like the Hyundai Kona and Mazda CX-30. However, the front seats were placed far inboard, squeezing the driver and front passenger together and reducing the feeling of spaciousness. The front seats lacked thigh support, making them less comfortable. The Encore GX had 23.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 50.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, which was respectable for the segment. Small-item storage was well-executed, with large door pockets and a space-efficient wireless phone charger. The instrumentation was clear and well-placed, though we wished for a hard button for the 360-degree camera view.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan featured standard digital instrumentation, with the SEL R-Line offering a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro system. The MIB3 infotainment system, available in all but the base Tiguan S, included an 8-inch touchscreen, Car-Net connected services, App-Connect smartphone mirroring, and SiriusXM 360L satellite radio. The SEL R-Line added a redesigned navigation system and a nine-speaker Fender premium audio system. However, the natural voice recognition feature required a Plus Speech upgrade and an active Car-Net Hotspot subscription. The Remote Access plan was complimentary for five years, allowing remote engine start and other features. The Tiguan also offered an available Park Assist system.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX came with 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 features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The interface was user-friendly, with clear graphics and menu layouts. The 8-inch touchscreen was small by current standards but worked well within the dashboard design.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan included standard Front Assist and Side Assist. The IQ Drive collection of advanced driving assistance systems added Travel Assist and Emergency Assist. Travel Assist combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance, while Emergency Assist operated when Travel Assist was active, slowing the SUV and bringing it to a stop if the driver became unresponsive. The 2021 Tiguan earned a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the IIHS, and the 2022 model’s improvements could enhance that score.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX offered standard driver assist features, including automatic emergency braking, 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 was an IIHS 2022 Top Safety Pick and received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.