2023 Genesis GV80 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, a 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) 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 it wasn't quite premium. The controls were user-friendly, and the heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel was a nice touch, despite some cumbersome rotary toggles.

In contrast, the 2023 Genesis GV80 exuded sophistication and elegance with its quad-lamp headlights and bold grille. This midsize SUV was nearly 5 metres long, and our Prestige trim tester featured 22-inch alloy wheels. The rear design echoed the quad lamp look, and the matte Brunswick Green paint added a touch of elegance. Inside, the GV80 continued the dark green theme with quilted leather seats and a dash split by thin air vents, complemented by metal and matte wood trim. The centre console housed three large dials for infotainment, transmission, and drive modes. The interior was spacious and luxurious, though the 14.5-inch infotainment screen seemed awkwardly placed atop the dash.

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. Despite its small size, the engine was surprisingly capable, though it was a bit buzzy and harsh. The Encore GX's driving dynamics were uninspiring, with a ride that wasn't as settled as expected from a Buick. Noise, vibration, and harshness levels were more intrusive than anticipated, despite Buick's QuietTuning technology. The Encore GX was not designed for off-roading, and its handling was best suited for urban environments.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 offered a choice between a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and a twin-turbo 3.5-litre V6. Our tester featured the V6, delivering 375 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque, mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. While not particularly athletic or quick, the GV80 excelled at highway driving, with smooth power delivery and shifts. The electronically controlled suspension, combined with active noise cancellation, provided a serene highway experience. However, the GV80's handling was less precise compared to its German rivals, and it was slower to reach 100 km/h.

Despite its compact size, the 2022 Buick Encore GX offered a comfortable and easy-to-live-with interior. Ingress and egress were effortless, and the controls were clearly marked and legible. 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, adding convenience for loading and unloading.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 compensated for its lack of driving excitement with a wealth of luxury features. Standard amenities included heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated outboard mirrors. Our tester boasted ventilated front and rear seats with an Ergo driver's seat, offering fatigue-reducing adjustments. The GV80's interior was spacious, with a third-row option, though legroom was limited. Cargo space was generous, with 988 litres behind the second row and 2,378 litres with the seats folded. The GV80 also had a towing capacity of 2,720 kilograms.

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. Driver-assistance features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a Driver Confidence package with automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assistance. Our test vehicle featured HD surround vision, a head-up display, adaptive cruise control, and a Convenience package with automatic parking assist and wireless phone charging.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 featured a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a 12.3-inch 3D digital gauge cluster. While the infotainment screen was slightly out of reach, the dial offered a "clicky" feel and handwriting detection. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available, though not wirelessly. The GV80 also included remote smart parking assist, allowing the vehicle to park itself without the driver inside. The system was complemented by wireless charging, multiple USB ports, and a 110-volt outlet.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX was equipped with a range of driver assistance features, including Teen Driver technology and a tire-fill alert system. It earned a five-star overall crash protection rating from the NHTSA and "Good" ratings from the IIHS. The Encore GX's headlights received varying ratings, with the top Essence trim's LED headlights rated "Acceptable."

The 2023 Genesis GV80 was packed with advanced driver aids, including forward collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The Blind-Spot View Monitor system provided a video feed of the car's blind spot in the digital gauge cluster. The GV80 also featured Highway Drive Assist, which used cameras, radar, and navigation to provide a hands-on/eyes-up driving aid. The GV80 received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and "Good" ratings from the IIHS, though its headlights and LATCH system were rated "Acceptable."