2023 Jeep Compass vs 2023 Buick Encore GX

The 2023 Buick Encore GX departed from Buick's storied design history, presenting a style that neither embraced retro cues nor ventured into new territory. Its rounded exterior and tall stance resulted in awkward proportions that failed to capture the SUV appeal that has drawn many buyers to this segment. Even with the optional Sport Touring Package, which included subtle enhancements like different bumpers and a black mesh grille, the Encore GX's styling remained understated. Inside, the top-trim Essence model offered expected features like leather upholstery and dual-zone climate control, but the interior's plastic elements reminded us of its position at the lower end of Buick's lineup. The dashboard and door panels lacked visual interest, echoing some of the less appealing design aspects of the 1990s.

In contrast, the 2023 Jeep Compass embraced a more refined and upscale design ethos, aligning with the larger Cherokee and Grand Cherokee families. The Compass featured new wheel designs for the Sport and North models, while the Trailhawk's wheels were painted gloss black. The Limited trim, with its Granite Crystal paint and multi-spoke 19-inch wheels, resembled a scaled-down Grand Cherokee. Inside, the two-tone black and gray cabin with caramel accents exuded a sense of luxury, enhanced by digital displays and metallic trim. However, the high as-tested price of the Limited trim raised questions about its value compared to larger compact crossovers or even small luxury SUVs.

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. All-wheel drive was standard, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. While the Encore GX's acceleration felt stronger than its specs suggested, power delivery was not smooth, requiring patience to get the most out of the engine. The ride was comfortable, and the cabin was quiet, thanks to Buick's Quiet Tuning package. However, the Encore GX felt ponderous and awkward, with slow and lifeless steering and significant body roll.

The 2023 Jeep Compass, on the other hand, introduced a new turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 200 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque. The engine's peak torque was available across a broad rev range, and it was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and Jeep Active Drive AWD system. The Compass offered three driving modes: Auto, Snow, and Sand/Mud, with the Trailhawk trim adding a Rock mode and hill descent control. The new turbo engine transformed the Compass's performance, making it more responsive and refined. However, the Compass's tall and narrow design contributed to significant body motions on uneven surfaces, and the AWD system was slow to engage.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX offered competitive passenger space, with headroom comparable to rivals like the Hyundai Kona and Mazda CX-30. However, the Kia Seltos provided more rear legroom and cargo space. The Encore GX's cargo capacity was respectable, with 665 litres behind the rear seats and 1,422 litres with them folded. The front seats were placed close together, affecting spaciousness, and lacked thigh support. Despite the limited cabin size, Buick made efficient use of space for small-item storage, with large door pockets and a space-efficient wireless charging pad.

The 2023 Jeep Compass provided a roomy interior for four adults, despite its narrow design. Standard features included an air filtration system and available dual-zone climate control. Higher trims offered leather seats, power-adjustable front seats, and heated front seats. The Limited trim featured a comfortable seating position and a well-appointed interior, though the hard plastic edge of the centre console was uncomfortable. The rear seat offered adequate space, and the Compass provided 770 litres of cargo space, expandable to 1,693 litres with the rear seats folded. Some models included a foot-activated power liftgate and a foldable front passenger seat for carrying long items.

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

The 2023 Jeep Compass featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Uconnect 5 technology, supporting Bluetooth pairing for two devices, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and SiriusXM services. Depending on the trim, it could be paired with a 10.25-inch digital instrumentation panel, navigation system, and a nine-speaker Alpine audio system. The Alexa Built-in digital assistant was responsive and accurate, while the Alpine system was slightly bass-heavy. The Compass also offered a parking assist system and a surround-view camera.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX included standard driver assistance features like automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, and a Teen Driver system. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, and a 360-degree camera system. 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 was rated "Average."

The 2023 Jeep Compass added a drowsy driver detection system and rear-seat reminder. Standard ADAS included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims offered blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and traffic sign recognition. The lane-keeping system was sometimes intrusive, and adaptive cruise control was not always smooth. The Compass's crash-test ratings were incomplete, but it previously qualified for an IIHS Top Safety Pick.