2022 Kia Seltos 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 featured Buick's signature trapezoidal "waterfall" grille, high beltline, and similar headlight styling. 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. The controls were straightforward, although the rotary toggles on the steering wheel were somewhat cumbersome.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia Seltos positioned itself between the smaller Kia Soul and the larger Kia Sportage. It was available in four trim levels in Canada, with the Nightfall Edition being a U.S. model equivalent to the top SX grade. The Seltos had a stylish interior with exposed stitching, gloss-black trim, and metallic accents, though it was marred by an abundance of shiny hard plastic. The controls were logically arranged, and the infotainment system, despite its odd purple theme, was intuitive. The Seltos offered a spacious interior, with ample rear legroom and generous cargo space, making it a practical choice for families.

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. This engine was paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. While the engine was capable, it was somewhat buzzy and harsh, typical of small three-cylinder engines. The Encore GX's ride was not as refined as expected from a Buick, with noticeable noise, vibration, and harshness levels. Despite its SUV classification, the Encore GX was not designed for off-roading, and its handling was uninspiring.

The 2022 Kia Seltos offered two engine options. The LX, EX, and EX Premium trims came with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 146 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT. The SX trim featured a more powerful 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 175 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The Seltos offered three driving modes: Normal, Sport, and Smart. While the turbo-DCT combination made the Seltos engaging to drive, the suspension tuning was less appealing, with noticeable body motion and limited bump isolation. The Seltos excelled in urban environments, offering excellent visibility and easy parking.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX, despite its compact size, provided a comfortable and user-friendly experience. Ingress and egress were effortless, and the controls were clearly marked and easy to operate. The front seats offered adequate headroom and legroom, while the rear seat was a bit tight for three adults. The Encore GX offered 665 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats and 1,422 litres with the seats folded. The two-level cargo floor and optional hands-free power liftgate added convenience.

The 2022 Kia Seltos excelled in form and function, offering a roomy interior with easy ingress and egress. The front seats were comfortable, with heated seats standard on most trims. The rear seat provided ample legroom and footroom, although the seatback angle was slightly reclined. The Seltos offered 752 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats and 1,778 litres with the seats folded. The interior featured practical storage solutions, including a smartphone shelf and grocery bag hooks.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX came with an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth audio streaming, and a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot. Optional features included a navigation system, HD surround vision, and a head-up display. The Encore GX's infotainment system was user-friendly, with intuitive app layouts and efficient voice recognition.

The 2022 Kia Seltos offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system on higher trims, paired with a Bose premium sound system on the SX trim. The system included Bluetooth, navigation, connected services, and satellite radio. While the infotainment system required a cable connection for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, it was intuitive to use, with physical knobs and buttons for easy access. However, the voice recognition system was less reliable, and using a smartphone's digital assistant was recommended.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX was equipped with a range of driver assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, and forward-collision warning. It also featured Teen Driver technology and a tire-fill alert system. The Encore GX received a five-star overall crash protection rating from the NHTSA and "Good" ratings from the IIHS, with some variations in headlight performance.

The 2022 Kia Seltos offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and forward-collision avoidance. The SX trim added adaptive cruise control and Highway Driving Assist. The Seltos received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with some trims not qualifying due to headlight performance.