2022 Buick Encore GX vs 2022 Hyundai Tucson

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson was built on a new platform, offering a long-wheelbase model in North America with two rows of seating and an expanded cargo area. Its front showcased Hyundai's new vehicle face, featuring a parametric grille that cleverly concealed LED daytime running lights, Bi-LED headlights, and LED front turn signals. The illuminated lights formed a distinctive shape reminiscent of the Aztec Spirit Bird's wings. The Tucson's side profile borrowed design elements from the Hyundai Elantra, with a silver D-pillar creating a floating roof effect. At the rear, the Tucson sported toothy taillights illuminated by LEDs, contributing to its standout design among compact SUVs. Depending on the trim level, the Tucson rode on either 17- or 19-inch alloy wheels, with high-end models featuring premium fascias, skid plates, and a panoramic sunroof. The interior was well-appointed, with standard stain- and odour-resistant cloth seats, sport combination seats in the N-Line, and leather-trimmed seats available from the Preferred Trend trim. The dashboard's horizontal lines and uncluttered aesthetic added to the sense of spaciousness.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX shared a strong family resemblance with its sibling, the Encore, featuring Buick's trapezoidal "waterfall" grille, high beltline, and similar headlight styling. The Encore GX's slightly longer wheelbase and additional length gave it a more balanced appearance. The optional ST (Sport Touring) appearance package enhanced its look with body-colour moldings, custom grille, sport bumpers with red accents, and 18-inch aluminum wheels. Inside, the Encore GX offered an attractive cabin with soft-touch materials and standard cloth seats, while the top Essence trim featured leather upholstery. The available heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel provided convenient controls, although some found the rotary toggles cumbersome. Overall, the Encore GX's controls and instrumentation were straightforward and user-friendly, catering to Buick's customer preferences.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson offered two powertrain options: a 2.5-litre direct-injected four-cylinder engine and a hybrid powertrain with a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor. The ICE engine produced 187 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque, while the hybrid delivered a combined 226 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. The hybrid powertrain was more powerful and efficient, with fuel consumption ratings of 6.3 L/100 km in the city, 6.6 on the highway, and 6.4 combined. The Tucson's AWD system performed well in off-road testing, providing stability and control. The upcoming plug-in hybrid version promised even more power, with an estimated 261 horsepower and 224 lb-ft of torque.

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 AWD. Despite its small size, the engine was surprisingly capable, providing adequate power for highway merging and steep upgrades. However, the ride was less settled than expected, and noise levels were higher than anticipated. The Encore GX's handling was drama-free, but driving dynamics were generally uninspiring. The vehicle's AWD system was not tested off-road, but it handled gravel driveways and dirt patches with ease.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson offered a spacious interior with a six-way power-adjustable driver's seat as standard, while higher trims featured an eight-way version with lumbar support. Heated front seats were standard, with ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and memory settings available. The Tucson's new platform provided more passenger and cargo space, with rear seats offering 90 mm more legroom than the RAV4. The cabin comfortably accommodated a family of four, with a 1,095-litre cargo space comparable to competitors. The rear featured a 60-40 split-folding bench seat and a dual-level cargo floor.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX, despite its compact size, offered a comfortable and easy-to-live-with interior. Ingress and egress were effortless, with well-placed seat hip points and clearly marked controls. Front-seat headroom and legroom were ample, while rear-seat knee room was tighter. The cargo space measured 665 litres behind the rear bench and 1,422 litres with the seat folded. The Encore GX's cargo area was practical, with a two-level floor and the ability to accommodate items up to eight feet in length. The optional hands-free power liftgate added convenience, with adjustable height settings for easy access.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson came equipped with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, a six-speaker audio system, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, HD Radio, Bluetooth, and two USB ports. Higher trims offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and a fully digital instrument cluster. The touchpoints on the centre console were responsive, but their flat design made them challenging to use while driving. Steering wheel controls and voice commands were more reliable options for accessing functions.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX featured an eight-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth audio streaming, and a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot. The vehicle offered a range of driver-assistance features, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a Driver Confidence package with automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assistance. The tech package included an upgraded infotainment system with navigation, voice recognition, and customizable settings. The Convenience package added features like automatic parking assist, wireless phone charging, and rain-sensing wipers.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA. However, it offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keeping assist, automatic high beams, and a driver attention monitor. Additional features like blind-spot warning, adaptive cruise control, and a surround-view camera system were available. Hyundai provided a 5-year/100,000-kilometre limited warranty for the Tucson.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX performed well in NHTSA crash tests, earning five stars for overall crash protection. The IIHS awarded it "Good" ratings in all crash tests, with "Superior" ratings for front crash prevention. However, headlight ratings varied, with the top Essence trim receiving an "Acceptable" rating and lower trims receiving a "Marginal" rating. The Encore GX also featured Teen Driver technology and a tire-fill alert system.