Compare the2023 Honda HR-VVS 2022 Buick Encore GX

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Honda HR-V have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision. The Buick Encore GX doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The HR-V EX-L has standard Low Speed Braking Control 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 HR-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 HR-V and the Encore GX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

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

Honda pays for scheduled maintenance on the HR-V for 2 years and 24,000 miles. Honda 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 HR-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.

The HR-V’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 21 more horsepower (158 vs. 137) than the Encore GX’s standard 1.2 turbo 3-cylinder. The HR-V’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 3 more horsepower (158 vs. 155) than the Encore GX’s optional 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder.

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

For superior ride and handling, the Honda HR-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 HR-V has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the HR-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 HR-V’s wheelbase is 2.3 inches longer than on the Encore GX (104.5 inches vs. 102.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the HR-V is 1.5 inches wider in the front and 1.3 inches wider in the rear than on the Encore GX.

For better maneuverability, the HR-V’s turning circle is 1.7 feet tighter than the Encore GX’s (35.1 feet vs. 36.8 feet).

The HR-V has 4.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Encore GX (98.7 vs. 94.3).

The HR-V has 1 inch more front legroom, 2.1 inches more front hip room, 1.2 inches more front shoulder room, 1.7 inches more rear legroom and 1.6 inches more rear shoulder room than the Encore GX.

The HR-V has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Encore GX with its rear seat up (24.4 vs. 23.5 cubic feet). The HR-V has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Encore GX with its rear seat folded (55.1 vs. 50.2 cubic feet).

The HR-V Sport/EX-L’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 HR-V’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 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 GX doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

The Honda HR-V outsold the Buick Encore by 23% during the 2021 model year.