Audi Q3 vs Buick Encore GX

The 2021 Audi Q3 featured a massive corporate grille that paired well with its stout, chunky styling, presenting an idea of utility and dynamic handling. The cabin echoed a mechanical, modern aesthetic with a dash design that framed the center touchscreen, making it a standout feature. Despite its modern and refined feel, the Q3's interior design was no longer as unique due to similar designs from Volkswagen.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX had a strong family resemblance to the Encore, with a trapezoidal "waterfall" grille, high beltline, and similar headlight styling. The Encore GX's slightly longer wheelbase and additional length helped it look less tall and stubby. The ST (Sport Touring) appearance package added body-color moldings, custom grille, sport bumpers with red accents, 18-inch aluminum wheels, and an "ST" badge. Inside, the cabin was attractive with soft-touch materials and heated seats covered in Whisper Beige leather with Ebony accents. The controls were straightforward and easy to use, though the rotary toggles on the steering wheel were cumbersome.

The 2021 Audi Q3 came with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and Quattro all-wheel drive. The S-Line trim offered a more potent version of the same engine, delivering 228 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. The Q3's handling was nimble, and the ride was comfortable, providing a best-of-both-worlds dynamic. The base engine had some turbo lag, but the more powerful S-Line engine felt lively and provided solid power for passing.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX offered two turbocharged three-cylinder engines: a 1.2-liter unit producing 137 horsepower and a 1.3-liter motor making 155 hp. The 1.2-liter engine was standard on the Preferred and Select trims, while the 1.3-liter unit was standard on the top Essence trim. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available. The FWD models used a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), while AWD models had a nine-speed automatic. The 1.3-liter turbo engine and CVT provided adequate power, though the ride was noisier and less settled than expected from a Buick.

The 2021 Audi Q3 provided 48 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 23.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats. While the cargo space with the seats folded was subpar for the class, the passenger space made up for it. The front seats were comfortable with plenty of deep cargo pockets, and the rear seats offered impressive headroom and legroom, making it suitable for four passengers on a road trip.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX had 23.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear bench seat and 50.2 cubic feet with the seat folded. The front seats offered more than adequate headroom and legroom, while rear-seat knee room was tight. The cargo area could accommodate items up to eight feet in length with the front passenger seat and rear seats folded flat. The optional hands-free power liftgate and two-level cargo floor added convenience.

The 2021 Audi Q3 came standard with an 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system running Audi’s MMI system, featuring Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay. The upgraded system included a 10.1-inch touchscreen with navigation. Other available features were wireless device charging, satellite radio, and a Bang & Olufsen 15-speaker premium audio system. The Audi Virtual Cockpit replaced the conventional instrument cluster with a customizable digital display.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX offered an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth audio streaming, Buick Connected Services, front and rear USB ports, OnStar telematics, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Available features included navigation, Amazon Alexa capability, HD surround vision, a head-up display, adaptive cruise control, and a memory card receptacle. The Convenience package added automatic parking assist, wireless phone charging, a rear camera mirror, and rain-sensing windshield wipers.

The 2021 Audi Q3 came standard with Audi Pre Sense and Pre Sense Front, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian detection. Lane-departure warning was also standard. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, traffic-sign recognition, a 360-degree camera system, front-and-rear parking sensors, and self-parking assist.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX came standard with blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, following-distance indicator, forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assistance, and automatic high-beam headlights. Additional features included Teen Driver technology, a tire-fill alert system, and a range of optional safety features. The Encore GX earned five stars from the NHTSA for overall crash protection and "Good" ratings from the IIHS in all crash tests.