Compare the2022 Honda CR-V HybridVS 2022 Buick Encore GX

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the CR-V Hybrid 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 Hybrid’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.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the CR-V Hybrid. But it costs extra on the Encore GX.

The CR-V Hybrid has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the Encore GX’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the CR-V Hybrid has a standard cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Cross-path warning costs extra on the Encore GX.

The CR-V Hybrid’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 Hybrid and the Encore GX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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 and available rear parking sensors.

The Honda CR-V Hybrid weighs 435 to 738 pounds more than the Buick Encore GX. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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 Hybrid is safer than the Buick Encore GX:

	CR-V Hybrid	Encore GX
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	141	185
Neck Stress	175 lbs.	190 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	65/19 lbs.	83/261 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	309	401
Leg Forces (l/r)	276/243 lbs.	409/383 lbs.

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 Hybrid 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 Hybrid 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.

Warranty

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

Reliability

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

Engine

The CR-V Hybrid’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 75 more horsepower (212 vs. 137) and 70 lbs.-ft. more torque (232 vs. 162) than the Encore GX’s standard 1.2 turbo 3-cylinder. The CR-V Hybrid’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 57 more horsepower (212 vs. 155) and 58 lbs.-ft. more torque (232 vs. 174) than the Encore GX’s optional 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Honda CR-V Hybrid is faster than the Buick Encore GX 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder:

	CR-V Hybrid	Encore GX
Zero to 60 MPH	7.5 sec	9.3 sec
Quarter Mile	16 sec	17 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	86.3 MPH	80 MPH

Brakes and Stopping

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

	CR-V Hybrid	Encore GX
Front Rotors	12.6 inches	11.81 inches
Rear Rotors	12.2 inches	10.39 inches

The CR-V Hybrid stops shorter than the Encore GX:

	CR-V Hybrid	Encore GX
70 to 0 MPH	173 feet	174 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	115 feet	122 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the CR-V Hybrid has larger tires than the Encore GX (235/60R18 vs. 225/55R18).

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

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Honda CR-V Hybrid 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 Hybrid has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the CR-V Hybrid 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 Hybrid’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 track (width between the wheels) on the CR-V Hybrid is 1.8 inches wider in the front and 1.6 inches wider in the rear than on the Encore GX.

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

Passenger Space

The CR-V Hybrid has 8.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Encore GX (102.9 vs. 94.3).

The CR-V Hybrid has .4 inches more front legroom, 3.2 inches more front hip room, 2.5 inches more front shoulder room, 1 inch 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 Hybrid’s rear seats recline. The Encore GX’s rear seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The CR-V Hybrid has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Encore GX with its rear seat up (33.2 vs. 23.5 cubic feet). The CR-V Hybrid has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Encore GX with its rear seat folded (68.7 vs. 50.2 cubic feet).

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

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

	CR-V Hybrid	Encore GX
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	37.5”/71”	31.8”/60.8”
Max Width	54”	53”
Min Width	41.5”	40.7”
Height	41”	32”

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the CR-V Hybrid’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 Hybrid. The Encore GX doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Ergonomics

The CR-V Hybrid’s front power windows open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Encore GX’s front passenger window doesn’t close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the CR-V Hybrid 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 Hybrid 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.

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

The CR-V Hybrid has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the Encore GX Select/Essence.

Both the CR-V Hybrid and the Encore GX offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the CR-V Hybrid 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.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Honda CR-V Hybrid, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Buick Encore GX isn't recommended.

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.