Compare the2022 Honda HR-VVS 2022 Buick Encore

Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the HR-V deploy with different levels of force or don’t deploy at all to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The HR-V’s side airbags will shut off if a child is leaning against the door. The Encore’s airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

The HR-V EX/EX-L has standard Collision Mitigation Braking System, which use forward mounted sensors to warn the driver of a possible collision ahead. If the driver doesn’t react and the system determines a collision is imminent, it automatically applies the brakes at full-force in order to reduce the force of the crash or avoid it altogether. The Encore offers an available collision warning system without the automated brake feature that would prevent or reduce the collision if the driver fails to react.

Both the HR-V and the Encore 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, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive and lane departure warning systems.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Honda HR-V is safer than the Buick Encore:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the HR-V is 2.6% to 6.3% less likely to roll over than the Encore.

The Honda HR-V has a better fatality history. The HR-V was involved in fatal accidents at a rate 18.2% lower per vehicle registered than the Encore, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

The HR-V’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Encore’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

The engine in the HR-V has a single overhead cam for simplicity. The engine in the Encore has dual overhead cams, which add to the number of moving parts and the complexity of the cylinder heads.

As tested in Motor Trend the Honda HR-V is faster than the Buick Encore:

The HR-V has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Encore doesn’t offer a CVT.

The HR-V stops shorter than the Encore:

For better traction, the HR-V Sport’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Encore (225/50R18 vs. 215/55R18).

The HR-V Sport’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Encore’s 55 series tires.

The HR-V AWD has front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the HR-V AWD flat and controlled during cornering. The Encore’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the HR-V’s wheelbase is 2.2 inches longer than on the Encore (102.8 inches vs. 100.6 inches).

The HR-V EX-L AWD handles at .84 G’s, while the Encore pulls only .82 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The HR-V EX executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.8 seconds quicker than the Encore AWD (27.8 seconds @ .61 average G’s vs. 29.6 seconds @ .54 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the HR-V has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Encore (6.7 vs. 6.2 inches), allowing the HR-V to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The HR-V Sport’s minimum ground clearance is .7 inch higher than on the Encore (6.9 vs. 6.2 inches).

The Honda HR-V may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 200 to 350 pounds less than the Buick Encore.

The HR-V has 7.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Encore (100.1 vs. 92.8).

The HR-V has .4 inches more front legroom, 1.4 inches more front hip room, 2.6 inches more front shoulder room, 3.5 inches more rear legroom and 2 inches more rear shoulder room than the Encore.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the HR-V’s rear seats recline. The Encore’s rear seats don’t recline.

The HR-V has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Encore with its rear seat up (24.3 vs. 18.8 cubic feet). The HR-V has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Encore with its rear seat folded (58.8 vs. 48.4 cubic feet).

The HR-V’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Encore has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

The HR-V 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 doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

Consumer Reports rated the HR-V’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the Encore’s headlights, which were rated “Good.”

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors standard on the HR-V EX/EX-L detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The Encore doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

The HR-V EX-L’s standard rear view mirror has an automatic dimming feature. This mirror can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on it, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Encore doesn’t offer the luxury of an automatic dimming rear view mirror.

The HR-V EX/EX-L has standard heated front seats, which keep the driver and front passenger extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated seats aren’t available in the Encore.

The HR-V EX/EX-L’s standard automatic temperature control maintains the temperature you set, automatically controlling fan speed, vents and temperature to maintain a consistent, comfortable environment. The Encore doesn’t offer automatic air conditioning.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the HR-V EX/EX-L has a standard Adaptive Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The Encore doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

Insurance will cost less for the HR-V owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the HR-V will cost $195 less than the Encore over a five-year period.

The HR-V will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the HR-V will retain 52.22% to 53.55% of its original price after five years, while the Encore only retains 34.79% to 38.48%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the HR-V is less expensive to operate than the Encore because typical repairs cost much less on the HR-V than the Encore, including $45 less for a water pump, $224 less for a muffler, $186 less for front brake pads and $288 less for a timing belt/chain.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Honda HR-V will be $5709 to $6747 less than for the Buick Encore.