Compare the2023 Honda HR-VVS 2023 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 a standard Low Speed Braking Control that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a 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.

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, daytime pedestrian crash prevention, and nighttime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the HR-V its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2023, a rating granted to only 29 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Encore GX last would have qualified as only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2019.

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.

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 HR-V’s reliability 15 points higher than the Encore GX.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Honda vehicles are more reliable than Buick vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Honda 6 places higher in reliability than Buick.

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:

The HR-V stops shorter than 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 HR-V’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Encore GX’s standard halogen headlights. LED lights also light instantly and last over twenty times longer than halogen.

Insurance will cost less for the HR-V owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the HR-V will cost $190 less than the Encore GX 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 50.77% to 52.43% of its original price after five years, while the Encore GX only retains 45.57% to 45.58%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Honda HR-V will be $3955 to $4257 less than for the Buick Encore GX.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Honda HR-V and the Buick Encore GX, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Honda HR-V outsold the Buick Encore by over two to one during 2022.