2023 Buick Encore GX vs 2022 Genesis GV70

The 2022 Genesis GV70 stood out with its distinctive styling, diverging from the rest of the brand's lineup. It featured the brand’s signature two-line lighting, creating an illusion of a contiguous circle around the vehicle. The GV70's design was unique, with a shoulder line and accent lines that set it apart from other Genesis models. The Sport and Sport Plus grades, equipped with a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6, showcased a sculpted hood aligning with the Genesis crest-shaped logo. The dark chrome finishes and cross-hatched matrix pattern on the Sport grades emphasized its sporty intent. Customers could choose from over 100 colour combinations, with exclusive options for the Sport grades.

Inside, the GV70's cabin was inspired by airplane wings, featuring elliptical inserts and unique upholstery configurations. The Sport trims offered genuine carbon fibre inserts and a backlit graphic design using multicolour ambient lighting. While most interior surfaces were of high quality, some plastic elements imitated chrome or metal. Overall, the GV70's interior was luxurious, with quilted leather seats and door panels in the premium grades.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX, however, did not reflect Buick's historical design prowess. Its styling broke from the past without introducing a new direction, resulting in awkward proportions that lacked the SUV appeal. The Sport Touring Package attempted to enhance its appearance with subtle changes, but the differences were barely noticeable. The interior of the Encore GX Essence model included expected features like leather upholstery and dual-zone climate control, but the abundance of plastic reminded occupants of its position in Buick's hierarchy. The dashboard and door panels had a dated design, though the instrument cluster was a standout feature.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered two engine options, with the 3.5-litre twin-turbocharged V6 producing 375 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque. This engine positioned the GV70 against mid-level performance competitors, boasting higher power figures than some German counterparts. Fuel consumption was estimated at 11.6 L/100 km combined, with real-world testing showing slightly lower figures. The GV70 featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive, prioritizing the rear axle for torque distribution. The Sport Plus grade included an electronic limited-slip differential, enhancing performance. The GV70's drive modes, including Sport+ and terrain modes, catered to various driving conditions, with Sport mode offering improved responsiveness. The electronically controlled suspension system balanced comfort and road feedback, while the tight turning radius aided urban manoeuvrability.

In contrast, the 2023 Buick Encore GX in Canada came with a 1.3-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine, producing 155 horsepower and 174 lb-ft of torque. The nine-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive provided a comfortable ride, though power delivery was not smooth. The Encore GX excelled in ride quality and noise reduction, thanks to its well-damped suspension and active noise cancellation. However, it felt ponderous and awkward, with slow steering and significant body roll.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 prioritized the driver with a tall centre console and intuitive controls. The infotainment system's raised dial was user-friendly, and climate controls provided haptic feedback. Standard features included heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, with ventilated seats available on higher grades. The rear passenger could adjust the front seat for legroom, and a panoramic sunroof added natural light. Cargo space was generous, with 819 litres behind the second row and 1,610 litres with seats folded. The GV70's ergonomics and functionality were above average, despite some minor issues with the steering wheel's functions.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX offered competitive passenger space, with headroom comparable to rivals. Cargo capacity was respectable at 665 litres with rear seats in place and 1,422 litres with seats folded. However, the front seats were positioned close together, reducing spaciousness, and lacked thigh support. Small-item storage was well-utilized, with large door pockets and a space-efficient wireless charging pad. The instrumentation was clear, with useful features like the engine start/stop notification and pedestrian-detection warning light.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 impressed with its technology offerings, including a 14.5-inch high-definition LCD infotainment screen. The system allowed for split-screen layouts and included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The premium Sport Plus grade featured a 3D digital instrument cluster and Blind View Monitor system. A fingerprint recognition system enabled keyless vehicle start. The GV70 came with a nine-speaker audio system, with an 18-speaker Lexicon surround sound system on top grades.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX featured an 8-inch touchscreen and 4.2-inch driver information display. Optional features included navigation, a head-up display, and an eight-speaker Bose audio system. Standard connectivity included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with clear graphics, though the screen size was smaller than some competitors.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 included ten standard safety features, such as blind spot collision avoidance assist, lane departure warning, and forward collision avoidance assist. A new rear occupant alert system used radar to detect movement in the second row. The Highway Driving Assist system offered lane centring and automatic lane changing functions. Safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time of publication.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX offered standard driver assistance features like automatic emergency braking and lane keep assist. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and blind spot monitoring. The Encore GX received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and was an IIHS 2022 Top Safety Pick, though the child-seat anchor ease of use received an "Average" score.