2022 Buick Encore GX vs 2021 Kia Seltos

The 2021 Kia Seltos, despite being a subcompact SUV, offered a big-car feel with its upright layout and commanding road view. Its headlight design, though busy, seamlessly integrated with the grille, and the aggressive approach angle of the lower front bumper hinted at off-road capabilities, even if it wasn't designed for such adventures. The red circles around the wheel centres added a touch of on-road dynamism. Inside, the Seltos featured a straightforward design with clean lines and tech influences from upscale brands. The interior boasted a clean LCD screen for climate controls and a touchscreen atop the dash, enhancing its sporty yet utilitarian nature.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX, while sharing a strong family resemblance with the Encore, distinguished itself with a slightly longer wheelbase and additional length, giving it a less stubby appearance. The optional ST package enhanced its appeal with body-colour moldings, custom grille, sport bumpers, and 18-inch aluminum wheels. Inside, the Encore GX offered a comfortable cabin with soft-touch materials and a mix of cloth and leather upholstery. The controls were straightforward, and the available heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel added a touch of luxury. However, the rotary toggles on the steering wheel were a bit cumbersome.

The 2021 Kia Seltos offered two engine options. The LX, EX, and EX Premium trims came with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 146 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT. While adequate for city driving, it lacked power at higher speeds. The SX Turbo trim featured a more powerful 1.6-litre turbocharged engine with 175 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. This engine provided ample power for highway driving and spirited acceleration, especially in Sport Mode, which enhanced throttle response and steering feel. The Seltos handled well, with minimal body roll and a smooth ride over bumps.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX was equipped with a 1.3-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine, delivering 155 horsepower and 174 lb-ft of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and AWD. Despite its small size, the engine was surprisingly capable, providing sufficient power for highway merging and passing. However, the ride was noisier than expected, and the driving dynamics were uninspiring. The Encore GX's handling was drama-free, but it lacked the refinement typically associated with Buick's QuietTuning technology. The engine stop/start feature, while beneficial for fuel efficiency, could be annoying, though it had an override option.

The 2021 Kia Seltos excelled in cargo space, offering 752 litres behind the rear seats and 1,778 litres with the seats folded, making it one of the most spacious subcompact SUVs. It featured numerous storage compartments and provided ample rear-seat space with generous head- and legroom. The Seltos was designed to accommodate passengers comfortably, a rarity among subcompact SUVs.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX, though compact, offered a comfortable cabin with easy ingress and egress. Front-seat headroom and legroom were adequate, but rear-seat knee room was tight. Cargo space measured 665 litres behind the rear seats and 1,422 litres with the seats folded. The Encore GX featured a two-level cargo floor and could accommodate items up to eight feet in length. The optional hands-free power liftgate added convenience, and the adjustable maximum height feature was user-friendly.

The 2021 Kia Seltos featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system on the base LX and EX trims, while the EX Premium and SX Turbo trims boasted a 10.25-inch touchscreen. The system supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though it had quirks like defaulting to phone audio when connected via USB. The infotainment system was intuitive, with helpful hard buttons for easy navigation.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX came with an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The tech package included advanced features like HD surround vision, adaptive cruise control, and a head-up display. The Convenience package added wireless phone charging and automatic parking assist. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with clear app layouts and efficient voice recognition.

The 2021 Kia Seltos came with standard front- and side-impact airbags, electronic stability control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. Higher trims included advanced driver-assistance features like collision avoidance assist, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Seltos received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX offered standard driver assistance features, with options for additional safety tech. It included Teen Driver technology and a tire-fill alert system. The Encore GX earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and "Good" ratings in IIHS crash tests. However, its headlight ratings varied, with the top trim receiving an "Acceptable" rating and lower trims a "Marginal" rating.