2023 Buick Encore GX vs 2023 Honda HR-V

The 2023 Buick Encore GX departed from Buick's storied design history, presenting a style that didn't echo the brand's past nor forge a new path. Its rounded exterior and tall stance resulted in awkward proportions that failed to capture the SUV allure that many buyers sought. Even with the optional Sport Touring Package, which added subtle enhancements like different bumpers and a black mesh grille, the changes were barely noticeable unless compared directly to a standard model. Inside, the Encore GX Essence trim offered expected features like leather upholstery and dual-zone climate control, but the abundance of plastic reminded occupants of its entry-level status within Buick's lineup. The interior design, with its blob-like dashboard and door panels, harkened back to less appealing aspects of 1990s automotive design, though the instrument cluster stood out with its well-framed digital display.

The 2023 Honda HR-V, on the other hand, underwent a significant styling update, shedding some of its predecessor's quirky charm for a more sophisticated and modern appearance. The lowered beltline and simplified detailing contributed to a sleeker look, with cleaner lines and fewer interruptions. The test model, finished in Nordic Forest Pearl, showcased one of the new colour options. The HR-V's interior followed the refinement trend set by the 2022 Civic, featuring a metal honeycomb grille that hid the vents and touch-sensitive lights that added a premium feel. The centre console's sculptural shape and the quality of materials used in the EX-L trim belied its entry-level status, offering a comfortable and thoughtfully designed cabin. Despite the fastback design, visibility remained strong, with larger rear windows and door-mounted mirrors enhancing the range of vision.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX in Canada came equipped with a 1.3-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine, producing 155 horsepower and 174 lb-ft of torque. This powertrain, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, offered all-wheel drive as standard. While the acceleration felt stronger than the specs suggested, the power delivery was not smooth, requiring patience to get the most out of the engine. The ride was comfortable, with a quiet cabin thanks to Buick's Quiet Tuning package, which included active noise cancellation. However, the Encore GX felt ponderous and awkward, with slow and lifeless steering and significant body roll due to its suspension tuning.

The 2023 Honda HR-V featured a single powertrain option: a 2.0-litre inline four-cylinder engine delivering 158 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque. The updated CVT with Step-Shift function aimed to mimic traditional automatic transmission sounds, though paddle shifters were absent. Drivers could choose from Normal, Snow, or ECON drive modes, with Sport mode available for a more engaging experience. The HR-V's new front and fully independent rear suspensions, along with widened tracks, made it surprisingly fun to drive, though it wasn't overpowered. The HR-V's cabin was quieter than its predecessor, but still noisier at higher speeds. In Canada, the HR-V LX-B offered both FWD and AWD options, with AWD standard on higher trims.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX offered competitive passenger space, with headroom comparable to rivals like the Hyundai Kona and Mazda CX-30. However, the Subaru Crosstrek provided more front legroom, and the Kia Seltos offered more room for back-seat passengers. The Encore GX's cargo capacity was respectable, with 665 litres with the rear seats up and 1,422 litres with them folded, surpassing the Kona and CX-30. Despite the limited cabin size, Buick made efficient use of space for small-item storage, with large door pockets and a centre-console tray. The instrumentation was well-executed, with clear information conveyance, though a 360-degree camera view button was notably absent.

The 2023 Honda HR-V, while not cavernous, felt comfortably sized and well thought out. The centre console featured a shelf for drive mode controls and USB ports, providing convenient storage for cords and small items. The HR-V's fastback design sacrificed a centimetre of rear-seat headroom, but cargo space remained competitive, with 691 litres with the rear seats up and 1,559 litres with them folded. The second-generation HR-V introduced a new hinge for the 60/40 split rear seats, offering a higher seating position and a nearly flat floor when folded. Passenger volume varied slightly across trims, with the EX-L interior growing a bit while the LX and Sport interiors shrank slightly. Front legroom improved, though rear legroom decreased slightly.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX featured a standard 8-inch touchscreen and a 4.2-inch driver information display, with optional navigation, a head-up display, and an eight-speaker Bose audio system. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and SiriusXM satellite radio were standard, along with two front USB ports. The infotainment system, with its familiar graphics and menu layouts, was easy to use, though the 8-inch touchscreen was smaller than some competitors.

The 2023 Honda HR-V's infotainment system now featured a tablet-style touchscreen, with physical knobs for power and volume. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard across the lineup, with wireless versions available on the EX-L trim. The EX-L also offered a 9-inch infotainment display with Smart Shortcuts and a wireless charging pad. All HR-Vs included a 7-inch digital gauge cluster and a 7-inch colour touchscreen, with additional features like Bluetooth connectivity, keyless entry, and remote start. The audio system varied by trim, with the EX-L offering an eight-speaker system, Wi-Fi capability, and SiriusXM and HD Radio.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX came with standard driver assistance features like automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, and a Teen Driver system. Additional features like 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 2022 Top Safety Pick, though the child-seat anchor ease of use received an "Average" score.

The 2023 Honda HR-V now included the Honda Sensing suite as standard across all trims, offering features like adaptive cruise control, collision-mitigation braking, lane-keeping assist, and traffic-sign recognition. New for 2023 were traffic jam assist and automatic high-beams, with a blind-spot information system standard as well. The HR-V's safety features were generally unobtrusive and provided peace of mind. The 2023 HR-V received a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS, though the NHTSA had not yet rated it.