2022 GMC Terrain vs 2022 Buick Encore GX

The 2022 Buick Encore GX was a compact SUV that bore a striking resemblance to its sibling, the Encore. Both models shared Buick's signature trapezoidal "waterfall" grille, high beltline, and similar headlight and front fascia designs. The Encore GX, however, was slightly longer, which gave it a more balanced appearance. The optional ST (Sport Touring) package enhanced its aesthetic 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 leather upholstery on higher trims. The controls were straightforward, although the rotary toggles on the steering wheel were a bit cumbersome.

In contrast, the 2022 GMC Terrain received updates to its front styling, wheel designs, and interior trim. The new AT4 trim level featured a bold grille, black alloy wheels, and sport-terrain tires, with a steel skid plate for off-road protection. The Terrain's interior was spacious, with power-adjustable and heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone climate control. The AT4 trim added perforated leather upholstery with caramel-coloured stitching, enhancing its upscale feel. Despite its roomy interior, the Terrain's pushbutton transmission controls were not intuitive, and the storage tray was too narrow for a smartphone.

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. The Encore GX's ride was less refined than expected, with noticeable noise and vibration levels. Despite its SUV classification, the Encore GX was not designed for off-roading, handling only light gravel and dirt paths.

The 2022 GMC Terrain, on the other hand, featured a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 170 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque. The engine's torque was accessible between 2,000 and 4,000 rpm, but there was a delay in acceleration. The Terrain's nine-speed automatic transmission helped maintain torque, but the SUV lacked the power of its discontinued 2.0-litre engine. The Terrain AT4 offered different driving modes, including FWD, AWD, Off-Road, and Hill Descent Control. However, torque steer was an issue in FWD mode. The Terrain's ride was smooth on highways, but its off-road capabilities were limited, with the front end scraping on uneven terrain.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX, despite its compact size, provided 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 GMC Terrain offered a roomy interior with power-adjustable front seats, heated features, and dual-zone climate control. The back seat provided ample legroom and support, with a rear USB charging port. The Terrain's cargo space was generous, with 838 litres behind the second row and 1,792 litres with the rear seat folded. The front passenger seat could also be folded for longer items. Despite the narrow storage tray, the Terrain had numerous storage slots throughout the cabin.

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, HD surround vision, and a head-up display. The tech package offered advanced voice recognition and customizable vehicle settings. The Encore GX's infotainment system was user-friendly, with intuitive app layouts and efficient voice recognition.

The 2022 GMC Terrain offered two infotainment systems, with a seven-inch touchscreen on the SLE trim and an eight-inch high-definition screen on higher trims. Both systems included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, and OnStar services. The Infotainment Package II added connected navigation and a Bose audio system. The voice recognition system was highly responsive, accurately handling various prompts. The Terrain also featured a head-up display, park assist sensors, and a surround-view camera system.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX was equipped with standard driver assistance features, including automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assistance. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Encore GX performed well in NHTSA crash tests, earning five stars for overall crash protection. The IIHS awarded it "Good" ratings in crash tests, with "Superior" ratings for front crash prevention.

The 2022 GMC Terrain came standard with the GMC Pro Safety Package, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, and lane-keeping assist. The Pro Safety Plus Package added adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring. The Terrain received mostly "Good" ratings from the IIHS, though it earned a "Marginal" rating in a new side-impact test. The NHTSA had not evaluated the 2022 Terrain's crashworthiness at the time of review.