2021 Nissan Rogue vs 2022 Buick Encore GX

The 2021 Nissan Rogue underwent a complete redesign, presenting a muscular and imposing presence for this compact SUV. Its squared-off nose featured a deeper interpretation of Nissan’s V-Motion grille design, flanked by standard LED headlamps in a narrow and angled configuration. The inclusion of functional forward air vents and active grille shutters contributed to a lower coefficient of drag, despite the vehicle's boxier proportions. The exterior colour palette was streamlined to include black, white, grey, red, and blue, with a pearl grey option available on the SV with all-wheel drive. The Platinum grade offered four two-tone colour configurations, combining a lower paint colour with a blacked-out roof. Inside, seating surfaces were primarily cloth, with leatherette upholstery available in the SV AWD model with the Premium Package. The Platinum model featured semi-aniline quilted Nappa leather, elevating the interior to a more luxurious level.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX shared a strong family resemblance with its sibling, the Encore, featuring Buick's trapezoidal "waterfall" grille, a high beltline, and similar headlight styling. The Encore GX's slightly longer wheelbase and additional length gave it a less tall and stubby appearance. The optional ST (Sport Touring) appearance package enhanced its look with body-colour bodyside and rocker moldings, custom grille, sport bumpers with red accents, and 18-inch aluminum wheels. The interior of the Encore GX was attractive, with soft-touch materials and a mix of cloth and leather upholstery, depending on the trim. The cabin was designed for comfort and ease of use, with clearly marked controls and excellent visibility. Cargo space was practical, with a two-level cargo floor and the ability to accommodate items up to eight feet in length.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue featured a new 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 181 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque, fully available at 3,600 rpm. This engine was a direct-injected unit, improving both performance and fuel efficiency compared to the previous generation. The Rogue's curb weight ranged from 1,536 kilograms for the front-wheel-drive S grade to 1,653 kilograms for the all-wheel-drive Platinum model. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) was less droning than expected, and the Rogue's handling was significantly improved with a 27% increase in torsional rigidity and a revamped multi-link rear suspension. Fuel efficiency was respectable, with the front-wheel-drive configuration achieving 8.9 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 7.0 on the highway, while the all-wheel-drive version recorded 9.2 city and 7.2 highway.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX was equipped with a 1.3-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine, producing 155 horsepower and 174 lb-ft of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The engine was surprisingly capable, though a bit buzzy, and provided adequate power for highway merging and steep upgrades. The Encore GX's ride was less settled than expected, with more noise, vibration, and harshness than anticipated. Despite being an SUV, the Encore GX was not designed for off-roading, and its driving dynamics were generally uninspiring. However, it performed well in typical urban and suburban environments.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue offered several functional updates across all price points. The cabin was quieter by three decibels on average, and a new shift-by-wire system allowed for additional storage space under the centre stack. The rear doors opened to 85 degrees, improving access, and second-row headroom was increased. Standard features included heated front seats, steering wheel, and exterior mirrors, with upgrades available in higher trims. The cargo space was generous, with 1,028 litres available with the second row seats upright and 2,064 litres with them folded. The redesigned Divide and Hide cargo system allowed for a 5 cm cargo floor height adjustment and a panel to separate cargo.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX, despite its small size, provided a comfortable and easy-to-live-with interior. Ingress and egress were straightforward, and controls were clearly marked and easy to use. Front-seat headroom and legroom were adequate, though rear-seat knee room was tight. Cargo space measured 665 litres behind the rear bench seat and 1,422 litres with the seat 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, with an adjustable maximum height for easier access.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The SV grade added an in-car Wi-Fi hotspot and additional USB ports. The Platinum grade featured a 9-inch screen, wireless phone charging, and a Bose 10-speaker audio system. However, the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster had readability issues due to low contrast.

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

The 2021 Nissan Rogue featured the Safety Shield 360 suite, including forward emergency braking, blind-spot warning, and lane departure warning. The SV model introduced ProPILOT Assist, enhancing highway driving assistance. The Rogue received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a four-star safety rating from the NHTSA, with improvements in frontal crash testing for later models.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX came with standard driver assistance features and optional upgrades. It performed well in NHTSA crash tests, earning five stars for overall crash protection. The IIHS awarded it "Good" ratings in crash tests, with varying headlight ratings. The Encore GX also received "Superior" ratings for front crash prevention.