2022 Buick Encore GX vs 2021 Volvo XC90

The 2021 Volvo XC90 marked a significant shift in Volvo's design philosophy, moving away from its traditionally conservative styling to a more characterful yet distinctly Volvo appearance. The XC90 retained classic Volvo elements like a boxy profile and a rectangular grille, but introduced softer lines, increased chrome detailing, and unique LED headlights with "Thor’s Hammer" daytime running lights. The Inscription trim, with its optional 21-inch alloy wheels, was the most visually striking, while the R-Design and Momentum trims offered sportier and more understated looks, respectively. The XC90's interior embraced "Swedish minimalism," featuring high-quality materials like matte-finish wood and optional wool upholstery, creating a refined yet understated cabin environment.

In contrast, the 2022 Buick Encore GX shared a strong family resemblance with its sibling, the Encore, featuring Buick's signature trapezoidal "waterfall" grille and similar headlight styling. The Encore GX's slightly longer wheelbase and additional length gave it a more balanced appearance. The optional ST (Sport Touring) package added sporty elements like body-colour moldings and 18-inch aluminum wheels. Inside, the Encore GX offered a comfortable cabin with soft-touch materials and leather upholstery on higher trims. The layout was user-friendly, with controls and instrumentation clearly marked, although rear-seat space was somewhat limited for adults. Cargo space was practical, with a two-level cargo floor and a hands-free power liftgate for added convenience.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains, all based on a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base T5 model featured a turbocharged engine producing 250 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. The T6 variant added a supercharger, boosting output to 316 hp and 295 lb-ft. The T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid combined the T6 engine with electric motors, delivering a total of 400 hp and 472 lb-ft. While the XC90 provided ample power, the small engine struggled with flexibility compared to competitors' larger engines. The XC90 excelled in ride quality, thanks to an optional air-suspension system, and offered a respectable towing capacity of 2,250 kg.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX, available in Canada with a 1.3-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine, produced 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, though it exhibited some harshness. The Encore GX's driving dynamics were uninspiring, with a less settled ride and more interior noise than expected. While not designed for off-roading, the Encore GX handled typical driving conditions adequately.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered six- or seven-seat configurations, with average headroom and legroom for the segment. The third row was tight for adults, and seats lacked support. The interior felt spacious, aided by a power sunroof and upright roof profile. The Inscription trim featured 10-way power-adjustable front seats with massage, but storage space was limited. Cargo capacity was 317 litres with all seats up, expanding to 1,815 litres with seats folded.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX, though compact, provided adequate front-seat headroom and legroom. Rear-seat space was tighter, and fitting three adults was challenging. Cargo space measured 665 litres behind the rear seats, expanding to 1,422 litres with seats folded. The Encore GX featured a two-level cargo floor and a hands-free power liftgate, enhancing practicality.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system with a 9-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. A 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system and head-up display were available. The touchscreen was user-friendly, though some text was difficult to read while driving. The wireless charging pad was too small for most phones.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX offered an eight-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. A navigation system was available on higher trims. The Encore GX included driver-assistance features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Our test vehicle had HD surround vision, adaptive cruise control, and a head-up display. The infotainment system was intuitive, with easy Bluetooth pairing and efficient voice recognition.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS for non-hybrid models, with top scores in crash tests and front-crash prevention. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall safety rating. The XC90 offered extensive standard safety features, including lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX performed well in NHTSA crash tests, earning five stars for overall protection. The IIHS awarded it "Good" ratings in crash tests, with "Superior" ratings for front crash prevention. Headlight ratings varied by trim. The Encore GX included Teen Driver technology and a tire-fill alert system.