2022 Buick Encore GX vs 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2022 Buick Encore GX was a compact SUV that closely resembled its sibling, the Encore, with its trapezoidal "waterfall" grille and high beltline. Despite its small stature, the Encore GX managed to present a handsome appearance, especially when equipped with the optional ST (Sport Touring) appearance package. This package added sporty elements like custom grilles, sport bumpers with red accents, and 18-inch aluminum wheels. Inside, the Encore GX offered a cabin that, while not truly premium, was attractive with soft-touch materials and leather upholstery in higher trims. The controls were straightforward, though some found the rotary toggles a bit cumbersome.

In contrast, the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe had a more conservative exterior design compared to some of Hyundai's other models. It maintained a consistent look from the previous year, with its wide upper and lower grilles and thin LED headlights. The Santa Fe's interior, particularly in the Ultimate Calligraphy trim, featured a high-quality look with Nappa leather seats and a dark, monotone appearance. The cabin was equipped with heated and cooled front seats, and the second row also had seat heaters. The Santa Fe's interior was spacious, offering a comfortable ride with a variety of convenience features, including a panoramic sunroof and a head-up display.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX was powered by 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 a bit buzzy, it provided adequate power for merging and highway driving. However, the ride was noisier than expected, and the driving dynamics were uninspiring. The Encore GX was not designed for off-roading, and its handling was more suited for urban environments.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe offered two engine options: a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque, and a turbocharged version producing 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. The turbocharged engine, available in the Urban and Ultimate Calligraphy trims, provided brisk acceleration with no discernible turbo lag. The Santa Fe's handling was smooth, with minimal body lean during cornering. The turbocharged version could tow up to 1,587 kg, making it a versatile choice for those needing extra power and towing capacity.

Despite its compact size, the 2022 Buick Encore GX offered a comfortable interior with adequate front-seat headroom and legroom. The rear seat was a bit tight for three adults, but the cargo space was practical, with 665 litres available behind the rear seats and 1,422 litres with the seats folded. The Encore GX featured a two-level cargo floor and an optional hands-free power liftgate for added convenience.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe, with its two-row configuration, provided ample rear-seat legroom of 1,060 millimetres and a competitive cargo space of 1,032 litres behind the second row. Folding the second row expanded the cargo area to 2,041 litres. The Santa Fe's interior was equipped with comfort features like an eight-way power driver's seat, dual-zone climate control, and a hands-free smart liftgate. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim included advanced features like Remote Smart Parking Assist and a head-up display.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX came with an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The vehicle also featured a range of driver-assistance technologies, including blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Convenience package added features like automatic parking assist and wireless phone charging.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe excelled in technology, with a 10.25-inch touchscreen, navigation, and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Luxury and Ultimate Calligraphy trims featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. The Santa Fe's infotainment system was customizable, though the voice-recognition capabilities had mixed results. The vehicle also included advanced driver assistance systems, enhancing safety and convenience.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX was equipped with a range of safety features, including Teen Driver technology and a tire-fill alert system. It performed well in crash tests, earning five stars from the NHTSA and "Good" ratings from the IIHS. However, the headlights received mixed ratings, with the top trim's LED headlights rated "Acceptable."

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward-collision avoidance, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. It received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick+" designation from the IIHS. The Santa Fe's safety features provided peace of mind, with reminders for rear-seat passengers and safe-exit warnings.