Compare the2022 Hyundai TucsonVS 2021 Buick Encore GX

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Tucson Limited has standard Reverse Collision-Avoidance Assist that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Encore GX doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Tucson’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Encore GX doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Tucson and the Encore GX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

The Tucson comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Encore GX’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Hyundai’s powertrain warranty covers the Tucson 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Buick covers the Encore GX. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Encore GX ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The Tucson’s corrosion warranty is 1 year and unlimited miles longer than the Encore GX’s (7/unlimited vs. 6/100,000).

Hyundai pays for scheduled maintenance on the Tucson for 3 years and 36,000 miles. Hyundai will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Buick doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Encore GX.

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the Tucson’s engine. A rubber cam drive belt that needs periodic replacement drives the Encore GX’s camshafts. If the Encore GX’s belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Tucson has a standard 150-amp alternator. The Encore GX’s 130-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

The Tucson’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 50 more horsepower (187 vs. 137) and 16 lbs.-ft. more torque (178 vs. 162) than the Encore GX’s standard 1.2 turbo 3-cylinder. The Tucson’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 32 more horsepower (187 vs. 155) and 4 lbs.-ft. more torque (178 vs. 174) than the Encore GX’s optional 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder.

The Tucson has 1.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Encore GX (14.3 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better stopping power the Tucson’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Encore GX:

For better traction, the Tucson has larger tires than the Encore GX (235/65R17 vs. 225/55R18).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Tucson offers optional 19-inch wheels. The Encore GX’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

For superior ride and handling, the Hyundai Tucson has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Buick Encore GX has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The Tucson has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Tucson flat and controlled during cornering. The Encore GX’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Tucson’s wheelbase is 6.3 inches longer than on the Encore GX (108.5 inches vs. 102.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Tucson is 2.6 inches wider in the front and 2.1 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Encore GX.

For greater off-road capability the Tucson has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Encore GX (8.3 vs. 7.5 inches), allowing the Tucson to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Tucson has .4 inches more front headroom, .5 inches more front legroom, 2.6 inches more front hip room, 2.2 inches more front shoulder room, 1.4 inches more rear headroom, 5.3 inches more rear legroom, 6.4 inches more rear hip room and 2.4 inches more rear shoulder room than the Encore GX.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Tucson’s rear seats recline. The Encore GX’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Tucson has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Encore GX with its rear seat up (38.7 vs. 23.5 cubic feet). The Tucson has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Encore GX with its rear seat folded (80.3 vs. 50.2 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the Tucson’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Encore GX doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The Tucson’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Encore GX’s (2000 vs. 1000 pounds).

The Tucson SEL/N Line/Limited’s front power windows both open or close with one touch of the switches. The Encore GX’s front passenger window doesn’t close automatically.

On a hot day the Tucson’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Encore GX can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Tucson has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The Encore GX doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

Both the Tucson and the Encore GX offer available heated front seats. The Tucson Limited also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Encore GX.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the Tucson (except SE) keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Encore GX doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

Both the Tucson and the Encore GX offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Tucson SEL/N Line/Limited has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Encore GX doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

The Tucson Limited’s Remote Smart Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Smart Park Assist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Encore GX Essence’s automatic parking system does not offer parking by remote control.