Starting at
Starting at
162 | Torque (lb-ft) | 138 |
8 | Standard Touchscreen (in) | 7 |
29/32 | Fuel Economy (city/hwy MPG) | 26/32 |
Few brands can compare to Buick, especially due to the automaker’s upscale legacy in the industry. From timeless style and engaging performance to a level of innovation that places its vehicles above the rest, it’s tough competition when a Buick model is involved. In today’s busy society, we demand greatness in our vehicles, and if you’re in the market for a subcompact SUV, the Buick Encore GX may have stopped you in your tracks with its compelling presence.
Although Buick has few worthy adversaries, the Honda HR-V is brave enough to step up to compete against this legend. With its practical nature, you’ll find two subcompact stunners on the opposite end of the spectrum from each other. On one end, we have the elegant Buick Encore GX with luxury design elements, and on the other, the HR-V with everyday versatility radiating throughout, so when it comes to the 2023 Buick Encore GX vs 2023 Honda HR-V, which subcompact SUV is more inspiring to drivers?
Although the 2023 HR-V has been redesigned this year, it’s difficult to remain on the same playing field as the 2023 Encore GX, with new paint colors added to its arsenal and sophisticated styling inside and out. Buick is one of the oldest brands in the industry, getting its start back in 1903. With a celebrated history in the racing world, as well as being one of the most influential luxury brands of our time, the level of satisfaction you get out of any Buick vehicle is above and beyond what others are capable of in the current industry. Here at Rick Hendrick Buick GMC Duluth, we respect the role Buick has played in the automotive industry. In the areas of design, performance, and innovation, the Encore GX easily outperforms its competition, which begs the question: Is the HR-V ready for the challenge?
You’ll notice that the 2023 Buick Encore GX is of luxury status from the moment it approaches you on the roadway. A signature grille with stretched chrome wings quickly captivates you, while available premium lighting elements and 18-inch aluminum wheels with high-gloss inserts add an even more refined feel to this sophisticated traveler. Opting for integrated roof rails allows you to add even more versatility to this engaging vehicle while its dramatic presence is evident, no matter which angle you happen to be admiring. Choosing its Sport Touring package adds even more exciting features to this dashing traveler, including an exclusive grille with red inserts, an available black roof, and an air of athleticism that can’t be rivaled.
The 2023 Honda HR-V has gotten bigger this year, sporting a longer and wider build. At first glance, however, it's obvious that the HR-V is more practical and doesn’t exhibit the upscale vibes that you’ll find with the Encore GX, so if luxury is on your mind, the HR-V doesn’t quite deliver here. It showcases a more modern and grown-up appeal, with a distinctive roofline and sleek curves. Its honeycomb grille and angled headlights offer a more contemporary design to this everyday travel companion, making it much more appealing than outgoing models. Unfortunately, it lacks overall refinement and sophistication, and although its build is larger than before, this isn’t always appealing to those searching for a subcompact option to whip in and out of tight parking spaces in the city.
Inside is where the 2023 Buick Encore GX impresses with a premium experience that’s difficult to find in rivals. From leather-appointed seating to a heated steering wheel, panoramic moonroof to heated front seats, and more available features, the feeling you’ll get inside the Encore GX will be one of absolute luxury. The Encore GX further enhances the ride with QuietTuning technology to block out road noise and create a serene cabin experience and an in-vehicle air ionizer to purify the air inside to make your time inside truly unique.
The Encore GX isn’t just all about beauty; it’s also extremely accommodating, with plenty of space for five, along with everything joining you for the ride. Its reconfigurable cargo floor, expansive center console, and spacious cargo hold make it easy to get loaded up with gear without compromising on the comfort of everyone on board.
As mentioned above, the 2023 Honda HR-V is longer and wider than its predecessors, so it must be more spacious and accommodating, right? Actually, it’s less spacious than before, offering less room for cargo, which can be a disappointment for drivers. Honda has also gotten rid of the ultra-popular Magic Seat in the second row, which had the ability to fold to make room for more gear or flip up to accommodate another passenger.
This can be a major deal breaker for many drivers who have come to rely on the Magic Seat during their travels. On the upside, the new HR-V does showcase some nice features inspired by the Civic, including a honeycomb dashboard, as well as creature comforts, like heated seats, an available leather-trimmed interior, and a one-touch moonroof.
If you’re looking for luxury, you’ll be sure to find it in the 2023 Buick Encore GX, with its compelling exterior design and opulent interior cabin space. Unfortunately for the HR-V, its lack of space, loss of the acclaimed Magic Seat, and overall practical design make this subcompact SUV severely lagging behind other more sophisticated rivals. When searching for a well-designed and opulent SUV, the 2023 Buick Encore GX is our top pick.
Both the 2023 Buick Encore GX and the 2023 Honda HR-V thrive when it comes to performance, as both automakers exhibit supreme engineering in the industry. Beneath the hood of the 2023 Encore GX lies your choice of two engines, a 1.2L turbocharged three-cylinder or a 1.3L turbocharged three-cylinder; the latter offers a more exciting ride and even better fuel efficiency. Getting up to 29 MPG in the city and 32 MPG on the highway, the Encore GX isn’t just enjoyable to drive with ample acceleration; it’s also outstanding on gas, which is a must for daily commuters. The 2023 HR-V doesn’t give you a choice regarding engines, with only a 2.0L four-cylinder available, which lags behind the Encore GX a bit when it comes to efficiency, getting only 26 MPG in the city and a similar 32 MPG on the highway.
The Encore GX’s turbocharged engine lineup offers superior responsiveness and agility to the overall journey. The StabiliTrak feature helps you maintain traction and control when the environment becomes slippery, while intelligent all-wheel drive capabilities help you maneuver through some of the most challenging road conditions imaginable. Sending power to the wheels with the most control, the Encore GX can remain composed, no matter if you’re traveling on rain-slicked streets or uneven terrain.
Its small presence also comes in handy, especially when navigating cramped city streets, with a tight turning radius and effortless handling to ensure you’re in command of your journey, wherever the road takes you next. Its refined ride quality is evident from the moment you take your place in the driver’s seat, and with solid suspension, accurate steering, and effortless control, any ride in the Encore GX will feel ultimately sophisticated.
The HR-V isn’t quite as compelling, and the main reason for this is its lackluster four-cylinder, which doesn’t add much power or excitement to the ride. Even more disappointing is that it’s paired with a CVT (continuously variable transmission), adding to the mundane appeal of its capabilities on the streets.
It does offer a revitalized Real Time AWD system, though, which is better and more precise than outgoing models. In the end, there’s just no comparison to the Buick Encore GX and its incredible performance, and whether you’re concerned about fuel efficiency or acceleration, all-wheel drive capabilities, or ride quality, the Encore GX delivers in virtually every aspect of the ride.
Inside the 2023 Buick Encore GX, you’ll find a host of ingenious tech features to make the drive more riveting than you ever thought possible. An 8-inch touchscreen, which comes standard across the board, presents all of the connectivity features you could ever want on the road, including an abundance of in-vehicle apps, available Alexa Built-In, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capabilities, and so much more.
Available wireless device charging keeps all of your must-have tech gadgets ready to go for the journey ahead, and with multiple displays at your fingertips, being in control of your ride is a given inside the Encore GX. From an available Head-Up Display, which projects important aspects of your ride on the windshield, to a Rear Camera Mirror to enhance visibility behind you, the Encore GX has it all to add value to your drive.
Not to be outdone, the HR-V also offers its fair share of tech features inside, with a standard 7-inch touchscreen and a larger option available at an additional cost. Of course, as with most of its rivals, you’ll find wireless smartphone compatibility and a wireless phone charger on its list of available features. An 8-speaker audio system pumps out the tunes, while an available Multi-Angle Rearview Camera makes it easy to see more clearly behind you, which comes in handy when backing up and navigating through dense traffic on the highway.
Like many others in its class, the HR-V also showcases multiple USB ports and helpful assistance features, like parking sensors and more, to help make the most out of any ride. Although both vehicles are loaded with engaging tech, the Buick Encore GX offers more, especially in its base models, without having to upgrade to a more expensive trim, which is why the Encore GX is such a popular pick with drivers everywhere.