Compare the2022 Honda CR-VVS 2022 Buick Encore GX

Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the CR-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 CR-V’s side airbags will shut off if a child is leaning against the door. The Encore GX’s airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

The CR-V’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 CR-V 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, plastic fuel tanks, 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 and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Honda CR-V is safer than the Buick Encore GX:

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 CR-V is 1.5% to 2.1% less likely to roll over than the Encore GX.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its available headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the CR-V the rating of “Top Pick” for 2021, a rating granted to only 128 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Encore GX has not been tested, yet.

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

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the CR-V’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.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the CR-V’s reliability 23 points higher than the Encore GX.

The CR-V’s 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 53 more horsepower (190 vs. 137) and 17 lbs.-ft. more torque (179 vs. 162) than the Encore GX’s standard 1.2 turbo 3-cylinder. The CR-V’s 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 35 more horsepower (190 vs. 155) and 5 lbs.-ft. more torque (179 vs. 174) than the Encore GX’s optional 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Honda CR-V is faster than the Buick Encore GX 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder:

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

The CR-V stops shorter than the Encore GX:

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

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the CR-V Touring has standard 19-inch wheels. The Encore GX’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

For superior ride and handling, the Honda CR-V 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 CR-V has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the CR-V 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 CR-V AWD’s wheelbase is 2.5 inches longer than on the Encore GX (104.7 inches vs. 102.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the CR-V is 1.9 inches wider in the front and 1.7 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Encore GX.

The CR-V Touring handles at .85 G’s, while the Encore GX Essence AWD pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the CR-V has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Encore GX (8.2 vs. 7.5 inches), allowing the CR-V to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The CR-V has 11.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Encore GX (105.9 vs. 94.3).

The CR-V has .4 inches more front headroom, .4 inches more front legroom, 3.2 inches more front hip room, 2.5 inches more front shoulder room, 1.1 inches more rear headroom, 4.4 inches more rear legroom, 2 inches more rear hip room and 2 inches more rear shoulder room than the Encore GX.

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

The CR-V has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Encore GX with its rear seat up (39.2 vs. 23.5 cubic feet). The CR-V has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Encore GX with its rear seat folded (75.8 vs. 50.2 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the CR-V easier. The CR-V’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 26 inches, while the Encore GX’s liftover is 30.5 inches.

The CR-V’s cargo area is larger than the Encore GX’s in every dimension:

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

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the CR-V. The Encore GX doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The CR-V’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Encore GX’s (1500 vs. 1000 pounds).

The CR-V SE/EX/EX-L/Touring’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.

If the windows are left open on the CR-V the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or 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 CR-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 GX doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

Both the CR-V and the Encore GX offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the CR-V 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 Honda CR-V has won recognition from these important consumer publications:

The CR-V was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Five/10Best Trucks” for 3 of the last 20 years. The Encore GX has never been a Car and Driver “Top Five/10Best Truck” pick.

Motor Trend selected the CR-V as their 2018 Sport Utility of the Year. The Encore GX has never been chosen.