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| 27 | Fuel Economy (mpg) | 25 |
| 7 | Standard Screen Size (in) | 4.2 |
| Std. | Power Driver Seat | Avl. |
Take a look at the subcompact crossover category, and the first thing you'll notice is that so many look alike. It's hard to find a small crossover with distinctive curb appeal, but if different and distinct is what you're after, we just might have the answer. It all begins with a deep dive comparison of the 2022 Buick Encore vs 2022 Ford EcoSport, a process that will quickly reveal the more stylish little SUV.
These two little models compete in the same category, yet they couldn't be more different. Adjectives like elegant and spacious are often used to describe the Encore in reviews, while respected sites like Car and Driver send the Ford EcoSport to the back of the line, calling it "noisy" and "underwhelming." Rumors of the EcoSport's pending discontinuation should give drivers pause, too––it won't be back for the 2023 model year.
If you're on the hunt for a great-looking crossover with comfortable interior appointments and plenty of tech features to keep you entertained during your commute, we'll save you some time: buy or lease a 2022 Buick Encore. Still, some buyers can't pull the trigger without exhausting all their options. Since the EcoSport bears the Ford name, many buyers think it's automatically a high-quality vehicle, but it turns out that may not be the case.
What did we uncover in our deep dive Encore vs EcoSport comparison? Plenty of big differences, from fuel economy to life cycle, and everything in-between. About the only thing these two crossovers share is roughly the same exterior dimensions. You might be surprised by how different they are, especially since their starting prices are almost identical. Which one represents the sweet spot of value and features? The answer probably won't surprise you.
For 2022, Buick offers the subcompact Encore in a single trim––the Preferred. However, buyers can choose between front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive configurations. As many manufacturers trend toward complex multi-trim lineups, buyers should find Buick's simplified approach refreshing. EcoSport buyers will have to navigate through four different trims, and oddly, the difference in price between the top two trims is less than $200.
The Encore starts at under $25,000 and offers upscale standard features, including LED exterior lighting, keyless entry, and a push-button start.[a] Buyers can choose from a palette of six elegant paint colors, from a deep red to a frosted white. Also available is an optional power moonroof, as well as two safety equipment packages to add features like rain-sensing wipers and driver-assist systems. Otherwise, everything is included, removing complexity from the buying process.
Inside, the Encore offers a surprisingly premium cabin for its economical price point. Knobs and dials are within easy reach of the driver, and the standard flush-mounted 7-inch infotainment touchscreen offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, along with a standard 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot that buyers can activate inexpensively with a data plan. The screen runs on a robust infotainment system for responsive interactions and easy access to your smartphone content.
The Ford EcoSport stands in stark contrast, with an interior that includes too many hard plastic surfaces, giving it a cheap and unrefined feel, even within more expensive trims. The four-trim lineup includes the S, the SE, the SES, and the Titanium. EcoSport S buyers should prepare for a utilitarian interior since there's no touchscreen infotainment system standard, though you will get two USB charging ports to keep your devices charged while on the go.
2022 Ford EcoSport buyers, be aware: unlocking features similar to those found on the 2022 Encore requires upgrading to the EcoSport SE, which is priced higher than the Encore. You'll pay more but still won't get a power driver's seat, Buick's QuietTuning technology, or premium touches like a chrome shift knob and a set of heated power outside mirrors. You'll pay more to add them to the EcoSport via the SE Appearance Package.
For 2022, both the Buick Encore and the Ford EcoSport are positioned as a fuel-efficient subcompact crossovers with fun driving manners and peppy acceleration, but is this actually the case? Unfortunately for EcoSport buyers, performance and ride handling are about as exciting as a root canal. A stiff ride and virtually no trade-off for the underpowered engine mean you'll use more gas and enjoy the drive less.
By contrast, the 2022 Encore earns praise for its smooth suspension that, according to Car and Driver, "soaks up bumps admirably." Add to that Buick's QuietTuning, and the cabin feels even more solid. QuietTuning employs sound reduction technology to keep the cabin serene and free from annoying road noise. It includes acoustic glass and extra insulation, as well as high-strength steel to minimize rattles. It may seem minor, but QuietTuning contributes significantly to ride quality, and the Encore's overall premium cabin feel.
The Encore rides on standard 18-inch wheels, while the EcoSport sits on smaller 16-inchers, with 17-inch offered on higher trims. Since the EcoSport is only offered in all-wheel drive, buyers are forced to select it, which means there is no fuel-efficient option for budget-conscious buyers. The Encore Preferred comes in the buyer's choice of front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. As for fuel economy, with a name like EcoSport, you might think Ford's subcompact crossover would deliver big, but it's just not the case.
The EcoSport is one of the least fuel-efficient utes in the category, offering 23 MPG in the city and 29 MPG on the highway. The most efficient Encore configured with front-wheel drive comes in at 24 MPG city and a fuel-sipping 32 MPG on the highway. Kelley Blue Book points out that the EcoSport is one of the only SUVs in the category that can't make 30 MPG on the highway, which will be disappointing for subcompact crossover buyers looking for a low cost of ownership.
Conspicuously absent in the 2022 Ford EcoSport S is infotainment. There is, in fact, no touchscreen on the dash in the base trim, and buyers can't add one via an equipment package. This bare-bones setup raises questions about Ford's trim lineup since entry buyers are forced to upgrade to the SE for basic infotainment technology, a move that adds over $3,500 to the price tag.
Buick dispenses with trim-specific features, instead giving all buyers a standard infotainment touchscreen with smartphone integration and accessibility to a robust suite of connected services. Standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto make for easy plug-and-play connectivity so drivers can access app content like Spotify playlists and audiobooks, and Buick throws in a trial SiriusXM satellite radio subscription to sweeten the deal.
Though the EcoSport SE offers upgraded standard features like a power moonroof, it also adds higher costs, leaving buyers with no choice but to accept pricey add-ons in order to unlock infotainment technology. Many buyers don't particularly care about (or use) a moonroof but can't live without touchscreen capabilities. It's unfortunate that they'll pay more for equipment they won't use just to get a feature that should be included in the first place.
We'll give the Ford EcoSport Titanium its due since it includes an upgraded Bang & Olufsen audio system, ActiveX leather-like seats, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, but get out your wallet because accessing this trim catapults the price to nearly $30,000, yet you'll still contend with a hard plastic dash and cheap finishes that won't win any styling points.
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*Images, fuel economy, and other stats, may reflect higher trim levels, options, or features that may result in a higher cost from the starting MSRP.
MSRP excludes tax, license, registration, additional options, and possible destination charges. Dealers set own prices.