2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs 2023 Buick Encore GX

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer presented a traditional SUV aesthetic, sharing its frame and body shell with the standard Wagoneer. It featured a tall hood, broad shoulders, and trapezoidal wheel arches, giving it an upright profile reminiscent of the smaller 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L. The Grand Wagoneer distinguished itself with a standard black roof, model-specific hood, front fascia, and grille, which leaned forward slightly with laser-etched knurling in the slots. The vehicle's interior mirrored the Wagoneer’s design but boasted higher-quality materials and more convenience features, such as 24-way power front seats with memory and massage functions, standard heated seats, and Nappa leather upholstery.

In contrast, the 2023 Buick Encore GX broke away from Buick's historical design cues, opting for rounded exterior surfaces and a tall stance that resulted in awkward proportions. The Sport Touring Package attempted to enhance its appearance with unique bumpers, a black mesh grille with red inserts, and 18-inch wheels, but the changes were subtle. Inside, the Encore GX Essence trim offered leather upholstery and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, but the interior was dominated by plastic elements, reminding occupants of its position in Buick's lineup. The dashboard and door panels evoked a 1990s design aesthetic, with the instrument cluster being the standout feature, framed by two round binnacles.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer was powered by a 6.4-litre Hemi V8 engine, delivering 471 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque. This engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, enabled the Grand Wagoneer to accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in approximately six seconds, despite its hefty 2,900-kilogram weight. The vehicle came standard with a Quadra-Drive II four-wheel-drive system, featuring a two-speed transfer case and electronic limited-slip differential, along with a height-adjustable Quadra-Lift air suspension system. This setup provided 25.4 centimetres of ground clearance and allowed the Grand Wagoneer to ford up to 60 centimetres of water. However, its size and weight made it feel ungainly at higher speeds, with a bouncy ride and imprecise steering.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX, available in Canada with a 1.3-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine, produced 155 horsepower and 174 lb-ft of torque. It came standard with all-wheel drive and a nine-speed automatic transmission. While the Encore GX's acceleration felt stronger than its specs suggested, power delivery was not smooth, requiring a patient driving style. The vehicle excelled in ride comfort and noise reduction, thanks to its well-damped suspension and active noise cancellation. However, the Encore GX felt ponderous and awkward, with slow and lifeless steering and significant body roll.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer offered seating for seven with standard second-row captain’s chairs or eight with an optional third-row bench seat. It provided more third-row headroom and second-row legroom than competitors like the Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator. Cargo space was generous, with 775 litres available with all seats in place and 2,007 litres with the third row stowed. The Grand Wagoneer also boasted a maximum towing capacity of 4,472 kilograms. Standard features included a sunroof, four-zone automatic climate control, and large storage bins, although forward visibility was somewhat limited.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX offered competitive passenger space, with headroom comparable to rivals like the Hyundai Kona and Mazda CX-30. It provided 665 litres of cargo capacity with the rear seats in place and 1,422 litres with them folded. However, the front seats were positioned close together, reducing the sense of spaciousness, and lacked thigh support. Despite the limited cabin size, the Encore GX featured ample small-item storage, including large door pockets and a space-efficient wireless charging pad. Instrumentation was well-executed, with clear conveyance of information.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, dual touchscreens, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and a McIntosh audio system. It supported simultaneous pairing for two Bluetooth-enabled phones and included a 4G-LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. Second-row passengers had access to a 10.25-inch touchscreen, and an optional rear-seat entertainment system added two 10.1-inch screens. The Uconnect 5 infotainment system, with an Android-based operating system, offered over-the-air updates, although the screen response was somewhat slow.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX came with a standard 8-inch touchscreen and a 4.2-inch driver information display. Optional features included a built-in navigation system, head-up display, wireless phone charging, and an eight-speaker Bose audio system. Standard connectivity features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with attractive graphics, although the 8-inch touchscreen was smaller than some competitors.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA. It came with standard safety features like a 360-degree camera system, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Optional features included intersection collision assist, driver-attention monitor, night vision, and traffic-sign recognition. The Active Lane Management System combined adaptive cruise control with automated lane centring.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX was an IIHS 2022 Top Safety Pick and received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, and a Teen Driver system. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, automatic park assist, blind spot monitoring, and a 360-degree camera system. The rearview camera mirror provided a clearer view by eliminating blind spots.