2023 Buick Encore GX vs 2022 Volvo XC90

Volvo had come a long way from its boxy cars and wagons of the past decades. The 2022 XC90, as the brand's flagship SUV, showcased a sleek and upscale design, with a stance that seemed ready to launch forward. Its long roofline and pronounced wheel arches emphasized athleticism, while the "Thor's Hammer" LED headlights added a touch of Swedish heritage. Inside, the XC90 exuded "Scandinavian Modern" and "Swedish Luxury," with natural wood and metal trim, a clear crystal gear selector handle, and an option for Nappa leather or a tailored wool blend upholstery.

In contrast, the 2023 Buick Encore GX did not reflect Buick's historical design excellence. The rounded exterior and tall stance gave it awkward proportions, lacking the SUV appeal that buyers sought. The Sport Touring Package added subtle enhancements, but the differences were barely noticeable. Inside, the Encore GX Essence trim offered leather upholstery and other expected features, but the plastic bits reminded us of its lower position in Buick's lineup. The dashboard and door panels had a blob-like design reminiscent of the 1990s, with the instrument cluster being the only memorable feature.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains: the T5 with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, the T6 with a supercharged and turbocharged version of the same engine delivering 316 hp and 295 lb-ft, and the T8 plug-in hybrid combining a supercharged/turbocharged engine with an electric motor for a total of 455 hp and 523 lb-ft. The T5 models were front-wheel drive with optional all-wheel drive, while the T6 and T8 were all-wheel drive only. The XC90's driving experience was superb, with minimal body roll and spirited acceleration, especially in the T8 Inscription extended range model.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX offered two turbocharged three-cylinder engines: a 1.2-liter producing 137 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque, and a 1.3-liter making 155 hp and 174 lb-ft. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive optional for the 1.3-liter engine. The FWD models used a continuously variable transmission (CVT), while AWD models had a nine-speed automatic. The 1.3-liter AWD test car provided stronger-than-expected acceleration but required patience for smooth power delivery. The Encore GX excelled in ride comfort and noise reduction, but its steering was slow and lifeless, and it felt ponderous in most situations.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 came in six-passenger and seven-passenger configurations, with easy access to the third row via a one-handed slide and fold of the second row. The third row was suitable for kids but lacked legroom for adults. The XC90 offered 15.9 cubic feet of luggage space behind the third row, 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 85.7 cubic feet with both rows folded. It could tow between 4,000 and 5,000 pounds, depending on the configuration. The interior was spacious and airy, with ample storage and a standard panoramic moonroof. The air-conditioning system performed well even in extreme heat.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX had competitive passenger space, with headroom comparable to rivals like the Hyundai Kona and Mazda CX-30. It offered 23.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 50.2 cubic feet with them folded. However, the front seats were placed far inboard, reducing the feeling of spaciousness, and lacked thigh support. Small-item storage was well-executed, with large door pockets and a space-efficient wireless phone charger. The instrumentation was clear and well-placed, but the lack of a button for the 360-degree camera view was a drawback.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system with a nine-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen, offering familiar smartphone gestures. However, it was glitchy and slow to respond, performing better with Apple CarPlay. The 12.3-inch digital instrument panel was easy to configure, and the $1,650 Advanced package added a head-up display and a 360-degree camera system. The standard Harman Kardon sound system could be upgraded to a $3,200 Bowers & Wilkins system. The XC90 included two front USB-A ports, two rear USB-C ports, a WiFi hotspot, and the Volvo Care smartphone app.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX came with a standard 8-inch touchscreen and a 4.2-inch driver information display. Optional features included built-in navigation, a head-up display, wireless phone charging, and an eight-speaker Bose audio system. Standard tech included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The interface was user-friendly, with graphics that looked nicer than many competitors'. The 8-inch touchscreen was small by current standards but fit well within the dashboard design.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 continued Volvo's commitment to safety with features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, parking assist, rain-sensing wipers, lane-keeping aid, adaptive cruise control, and road-sign recognition. The Pilot Assist system combined several safety features for minimal driver intervention on highways. The XC90 received the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation and a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX included standard driver assist features like automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and a Teen Driver system. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, automatic park assist, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, a 360-degree camera system, and a rearview camera mirror. The Encore GX was an IIHS 2022 Top Safety Pick and received a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA.