2022 Buick Encore GX vs 2023 Ford Escape

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, though some controls were found to be cumbersome.

In contrast, the 2023 Ford Escape embraced a more European design language, moving away from the blocky exterior of its predecessors. The refreshed model featured a traditional front end with a Ford blue oval logo and a stylish LED light bar. The Escape was one of the smallest vehicles in Ford's lineup, yet it managed to look upscale with its sleek design and 19-inch wheels on the ST-Line Elite trim. Inside, the Escape boasted diamond-stitched leather upholstery, though it felt somewhat hard and plasticky. The seats were comfortable, and the 10-way power adjustable driver's seat made long drives pleasant. However, the interior was dominated by plastic materials, which detracted from its overall premium feel.

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, this engine was surprisingly capable, though it exhibited some harshness typical of small three-cylinder engines. The Encore GX's driving dynamics were uninspiring, with a ride that was noisier than expected for a Buick. Despite its SUV classification, the Encore GX was not designed for off-roading, and its handling was best suited for urban environments.

The 2023 Ford Escape offered more powertrain options, including a 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine with 180 horsepower and 199 lb-ft of torque, available with either front-wheel or all-wheel drive. Higher trims featured a 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder engine, delivering 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque, exclusively with all-wheel drive. While the Escape's suspension was soft and compliant, it was not tuned for performance. The brakes provided predictable stopping power, and the steering was well-weighted, avoiding the twitchiness found in some competitors. Overall, the Escape offered a more powerful and versatile driving experience compared to the Encore GX.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX, despite its compact size, provided a comfortable and user-friendly experience. Ingress and egress were easy, and the controls were clearly marked and legible. The front seats offered ample headroom and legroom, though rear-seat knee room was limited. Cargo space measured 665 litres behind the rear seats and 1,422 litres with them folded, with a two-level cargo floor for added convenience. The optional hands-free power liftgate was a useful feature for those with limited reach.

The 2023 Ford Escape, while comfortable with supportive seats and excellent ergonomics, fell short in cargo space compared to its segment leaders. It offered 1,061 litres of storage behind the second row and 1,851 litres with the seats folded. Passenger space was adequate, with good headroom and scalloped front-seat backs to maximize rear-seat legroom. However, the Escape's cargo and passenger space were not as generous as some competitors, making it less ideal for larger loads or taller passengers.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX came with an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system, 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 tech package offered an upgraded infotainment system with advanced voice recognition and customizable settings. The Encore GX's infotainment system was intuitive and user-friendly, making it accessible even for those with tech anxiety.

The 2023 Ford Escape featured the Sync 4 infotainment system, with an optional 13.2-inch touchscreen on higher trims. The system was well-organized, with easy navigation between applications like Apple CarPlay and Sirius XM. However, Sync 4 was occasionally slow to respond, and the volume knob's placement was inconvenient. Despite these minor issues, the Escape's tech features were impressive, with a standard six-speaker sound system and an optional Bang & Olufsen system for enhanced audio quality.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX was equipped with a range of driver assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, and blind-spot monitoring. It performed well in safety tests, earning five stars from the NHTSA and "Good" ratings from the IIHS. However, its headlights received mixed ratings, with the top trim's LED headlights rated "Acceptable" and lower trims' halogen headlights rated "Marginal."

The 2023 Ford Escape also received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though it did not earn a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS due to a "Marginal" score in the side-impact test. The Escape came standard with Ford's Co-Pilot360 suite of driver assist features, including forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The optional Co-Pilot360 2.0 added adaptive cruise control and lane-centring technology for a semi-autonomous driving experience.