Compare the2024 Buick Encore GXVS 2024 Honda CR-V

The Encore GX offers an optional Surround View to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The CR-V only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Encore GX has standard Rear Cross Traffic Alert, helping the driver avoid collisions. Honda charges extra for Cross Traffic Monitor on the CR-V and it’s not available on the LX.

The Encore GX has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. A system to reveal vehicles in the CR-V’s blind spot costs extra and it’s not available on CR-V LX.

Both the Encore GX and the CR-V have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear 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.

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 “Acceptable” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Encore GX the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2022, a rating granted to only 176 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The CR-V has not been fully tested, yet.

The Encore GX’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the CR-V’s (6 vs. 5 years).

There are over 83 percent more Buick dealers than there are Honda dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Encore GX’s warranty.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Encore GX has a standard 760-amp battery. The CR-V’s 410-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Encore GX first among small SUVs in their 2023 Initial Quality Study. The CR-V isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Buick vehicles are better in initial quality than Honda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Buick fourth in initial quality, above the industry average. With 28 more problems per 100 vehicles, Honda is ranked 18th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Buick vehicles are more reliable than Honda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Buick second in reliability, above the industry average. With 83 more problems per 100 vehicles, Honda is ranked 24th.

Regardless of its engine, regenerative brakes improve the Encore GX’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. Honda only offers a regenerative brake system on the CR-V Hybrid.

Both the Encore GX and the CR-V have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All Encore GXs have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily. The CR-V Hybrid doesn’t offer a way to disable start/stop.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Buick Encore GX uses regular unleaded gasoline. The CR-V with the 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder engine requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Buick Encore GX higher (7 out of 10) than the Honda CR-V (6 to 7). This means the Encore GX produces up to 1.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the CR-V every 15,000 miles.

The Encore GX stops shorter than the CR-V:

For better traction, the Encore GX Avenir’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the CR-V (245/45R19 vs. 235/60R18).

The Encore GX’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the CR-V LX’s standard 65 series tires. The Encore GX Avenir’s tires have a lower 45 series profile than the CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Encore GX has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the CR-V LX.

The Encore GX has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The CR-V doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The Encore GX has variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The CR-V doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The Encore GX AWD handles at .81 G’s, while the CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Encore GX AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.5 seconds quicker than the CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid (27.8 seconds @ .6 average G’s vs. 29.3 seconds @ .57 average G’s).

The Buick Encore GX may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 450 to 650 pounds less than the Honda CR-V.

The Encore GX is 1 foot, 1.6 inches shorter than the CR-V, making the Encore GX easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Encore GX AWD can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Encore GX can be unhitched and driven around locally. The CR-V can’t be towed flat on the ground.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Buick service is better than Honda. J.D. Power ranks Buick fifth in service department satisfaction. With a 37% lower rating, Honda is ranked 25th.

The power windows standard on both the Encore GX and the CR-V have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Encore GX is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The CR-V prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Encore GX’s front and rear power windows all lower 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 CR-V’s standard power windows’ rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open them fully.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Encore GX’s available exterior PIN entry system. The CR-V doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

The Encore GX’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Honda only offers heated mirrors on the CR-V EX/Sport.

When the Encore GX Avenir is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The CR-V’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Encore GX Avenir has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The CR-V doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

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