2022 Buick Encore GX vs 2022 Chevrolet Equinox

The 2022 Buick Encore GX was often mistaken for its sibling, the Encore, due to their striking similarities. Both models featured Buick's signature trapezoidal "waterfall" grille, high beltline, and similar headlight and fascia designs. The Encore GX, however, had a slightly longer wheelbase and additional length, which gave it a more balanced appearance. The optional ST (Sport Touring) appearance package enhanced its aesthetic appeal with body-colour moldings, custom grille, sport bumpers with red accents, and 18-inch aluminum wheels. Inside, the Encore GX offered a comfortable cabin with soft-touch materials and leather upholstery on higher trims, though some controls were found to be cumbersome.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox underwent styling updates, including a new grille, LED headlights, and subtle rear fascia changes, giving it a chunkier look. Unlike rugged competitors, the Equinox maintained a car-based crossover appearance, with a tall roofline and puffed-up front fascia. The interior featured a creative dashboard design with a central touchscreen and large air vents. While materials and fit were decent, the black interior of the RS model was considered too subdued. The Equinox's design aimed for a balance between SUV and car-like aesthetics, though some wished for more distinctive styling features.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX in Canada 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. Despite its small size, the engine was surprisingly capable, though it exhibited some harshness. The Encore GX's ride was noisier than expected, and its driving dynamics were uninspiring. The vehicle was not designed for off-roading, but it handled typical road conditions adequately.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox featured a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 170 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque, with a six-speed automatic transmission. It offered more torque than many rivals, making it responsive in city driving. However, at higher speeds, the engine felt coarse and unresponsive, and the transmission's shifts were rough. The Equinox was not designed for sporty handling, lacking the refinement of some competitors, but it provided decent comfort on rough roads.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX, despite its compact size, offered a comfortable experience with easy ingress and egress, clear controls, and excellent visibility. Front-seat headroom and legroom were adequate, though rear-seat knee room was tight. Cargo space measured 665 litres behind the rear seats and 1,422 litres with them folded. The Encore GX featured a two-level cargo floor and an optional hands-free power liftgate for added convenience.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox provided seating for five with decent headroom in both rows. Second-row legroom was good, but front-seat legroom was limited. The tall seating position offered an unobstructed forward view, though rear visibility was hampered by small windows. The Equinox's cargo space was 847 litres with rear seats up and 1,809 litres with them folded, near the bottom of the segment. A power liftgate was available, but it lacked features like a sliding second-row seat.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX came with an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Optional features included navigation, a head-up display, and adaptive cruise control. The tech package offered an upgraded infotainment system with advanced voice recognition and customizable settings. The system was user-friendly, with intuitive app layouts and efficient voice recognition.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox featured a standard 7-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Higher trims offered an 8-inch touchscreen and a Bose audio system. The MyLink infotainment system was responsive and easy to use, with large menu icons. While tech-savvy buyers might desire more features, the system covered essential functions without fuss.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX included standard driver assistance features, with options for additional safety tech. It earned five stars from the NHTSA for overall crash protection and "Good" ratings from the IIHS in crash tests. The Encore GX's top trim received an "Acceptable" headlight rating, while lower trims were rated "Marginal". It achieved "Superior" ratings for front crash prevention.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox received "Good" scores in most IIHS crash tests but was rated "Marginal" in the updated side crash test. It earned a "Superior" rating for vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention and "Advanced" for vehicle-to-pedestrian scenarios. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall safety rating. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assistance, with options for adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera.