2023 Buick Encore GX vs 2022 Subaru Outback

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was a bold departure from the standard Outback, with its elevated stance and rugged design elements. It featured 23 centimetres of ground clearance, aggressive all-terrain tires, and restyled bumpers that improved its approach and departure angles. The unique grille, black 17-inch wheels, and Anodized Copper accents added to its distinctive look, while the Geyser Blue paint hue was exclusive to this model. Inside, the cabin was dominated by dark gray and black tones, with StarTex water-repellant upholstery and Anodized Copper stitching. The interior was practical, with waterproof materials and a robust roof rack capable of supporting a 700-pound static load, making it ideal for outdoor adventures.

In contrast, the 2023 Buick Encore GX broke away from Buick's design history, presenting a more modern but less distinctive appearance. Its rounded exterior and tall stance gave it awkward proportions, lacking the SUV appeal that many buyers sought. The Sport Touring Package added subtle enhancements like a black mesh grille and two-tone wheels, but these changes were not immediately noticeable. Inside, the Encore GX Essence trim offered leather upholstery and a range of comfort features, but the interior design felt dated, reminiscent of 1990s automotive styles. The instrument cluster was a highlight, with clear displays and a small digital screen, but overall, the interior lacked the flair and spaciousness expected from a modern crossover.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was powered by a turbocharged 2.4-litre 4-cylinder engine, delivering 260 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 277 lb-ft of torque between 2,000 and 4,800 rpm. This engine provided ample power for the midsize crossover, which weighed 3,896 pounds and had a towing capacity of 3,500 lbs. Fuel efficiency was rated at 10.9 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 8.9 on the highway. The Outback Wilderness featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with eight programmed ratios, but its performance was somewhat hindered by the CVT's droning and soft gear changes. The vehicle's all-wheel drive system, combined with its lifted suspension and all-terrain tires, made it highly capable off-road, with improved approach, breakover, and departure angles. The dual function X-Mode traction system and hill descent control further enhanced its off-road prowess.

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 engine's power delivery was not entirely smooth, the Encore GX offered a comfortable ride and a quiet cabin, thanks to its well-damped suspension and active noise cancellation. However, the driving experience was marred by slow and lifeless steering, significant body roll, and a ponderous feel. The Encore GX excelled in ride quality and noise reduction, but it lacked the agility and engagement found in some competitors.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured dark gray StarTex upholstery, which was water-repellant but not ideal for hot weather. The front seats were heated, and the driver's seat offered 10-way power adjustment, while the front passenger seat had 4-way manual adjustment. Rear seat space was generous, with ample head and legroom, rear air conditioning vents, and dual USB charging ports. The cargo area provided 920 litres of space behind the rear seats and 2,144 litres with the seats folded flat. The Outback Wilderness also boasted a robust roof rack with a 700-pound static load rating, suitable for rooftop camping.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX offered competitive passenger space, with headroom comparable to rivals like the Hyundai Kona and Mazda CX-30. However, the front seats were positioned close together, reducing the sense of spaciousness. The cargo capacity was 665 litres with the rear seats in place and 1,422 litres with them folded, which was respectable for the segment. The Encore GX made efficient use of available space for small-item storage, with large door pockets and a centre-console tray. The instrumentation was well-executed, with clear displays and useful warning lights, but the lack of a 360-degree camera view button was a drawback.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness came equipped with an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which integrated climate control and dominated the dashboard. While physical knobs and buttons were provided for some functions, most controls required the use of the touchscreen. The voice recognition technology was not intuitive, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto offered better voice assistant functionality. The absence of a premium audio system was a notable omission, given the target demographic.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX featured 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 options included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with attractive graphics and a well-organized interface, although the screen size was smaller than some competitors.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was equipped with the EyeSight suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and lane-centring assistance. The system was effective and unobtrusive, providing Level 2 ADAS capabilities. The Outback Wilderness also featured steering-responsive LED headlights, a blind-spot warning system, and rear cross-traffic warning. While crash-test results for the 2022 model were not available, the 2021 Outback received top safety ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX offered standard driver assistance features such as automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, and lane departure warning. Additional safety features, including adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, and a 360-degree camera system, were available as options. The Encore GX received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and was an IIHS Top Safety Pick for 2022, with top ratings in crash tests but an average score for child-seat anchor ease of use.