Some vehicles offer you a little more than expected. Whether it’s performance, comfort, or technology, they exceed expectations. You’ll get that from the 2025 Honda HR-V and 2025 Buick Encore GX.
In the world of small crossovers, a bit of overachieving can go a long way when it comes to the final selection. Let’s see in what ways these two offerings surprise and delight.
2025 Honda HR-V
In its last update, the Honda HR-V’s exterior styling received a lot of attention. Its look now aligns with the design aesthetic of the rest of the Honda SUV portfolio. It also sits on a bigger platform, resulting in more interior space, a better ride, and a more powerful engine.
That engine is a 158-horsepower, 2.0-liter 4-cylinder mated to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). If you want all-wheel drive (AWD), it’s available for an extra $1,500. The HR-V’s fuel economy is 28 mpg for combined (mixed city-and-highway) driving, which is about average in the segment.
Aside from a spacious cabin, passengers enjoy plenty of new technology to make the ride enjoyable, including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and noise cancellation technology. The 2025 Honda HR-V starts at $26,750, including the mandatory factory-to-dealer destination fees.
Honda HR-V Highlights
HondaLink: Using a smartphone, you can access various services, such as stolen vehicle location, geofencing, automatic collision notification, and service appointments.
Walk away: HR-V owners never wonder, “Did I lock the car?” The car’s Smart Entry with Walk-Away Auto Lock securely locks the vehicle automatically as you walk away with the key fob.
Safety first: The Honda HR-V has a 5-star crash rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) named it a 2024 Top Safety Pick+, so we expect it to earn the same rating for 2025.
Read our Honda HR-V Expert Review or see 2025 Honda HR-V models for sale near you
2025 Buick Encore GX
The 2025 Buick Encore GX is now the smallest vehicle in the brand’s lineup, but don’t confuse small with chintzy. The brand made its luxurious Avenir trim the top option of the three available for the Encore. Moving up gets you heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, leather upholstery, and soft-touch materials for the front passengers.
You have two engine options for the Encore GX: a 137-horsepower turbocharged 1.2-liter 3-cylinder or a 155-hp, 1.3-liter turbocharged 3-cylinder. Neither may sound overly impressive, but this is a small, lightweight vehicle, so the more powerful 1.3-liter performs surprisingly sprightly. The 2025 Buick Encore GX starts at $27,235, including destination charge.
Buick Encore GX Highlights
Plenty of space: The exterior footprint may not be huge, but the interior cabin is spacious, including room for average-sized adults in the second row.
Bigger technology: The Encore’s cabin features an 8-inch digital gauge cluster and an 11-inch infotainment touchscreen. These high-tech displays are standard across the lineup.
All-wheel drive: Like the Honda HR-V, every version of the new Encore GX is eligible for all-wheel drive. Adding it requires upgrading to the slightly more powerful 155-horsepower engine, but that’s not a bad thing.
Read our Buick Encore GX Expert Review or see 2025 Buick Encore GX models for sale near you
Similarities
It’s not often that a Honda is larger than a Buick, but it’s a new era for both brands. Each offers compelling exterior styling with a slew of convenience and safety technology.
Conclusion
While the Buick is smaller, the starting price is higher. That’s because the Buick is a premium brand. Buyers should get nicer interior materials and technology. However, the differences on those fronts are minimal. Plus, you’ll need to spend more to get the Buick’s more powerful engine, which still falls short of the powerplant in the Honda HR-V. The right SUV for you comes down to personal preference.
Used Prices
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The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors. The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for New 2025 Honda HR-V vehicles and vehicles in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership. These prices are updated weekly. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) quoted includes the destination fee, but does not include tax, license, document fees, and options.
| 2025 Honda HR-V | 2025 Buick Encore GX | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder | 1.2-liter turbo 3-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 158 hp @ 6,500 rpm | 137 hp @ 5,000 rpm |
| Torque | 138 lb-ft @ 4,200 rpm | 162 lb-ft @ 2,500 rpm |
| Transmission | CVT | CVT |
| Fuel Economy | 26 city/32 highway/28 combined mpg | 30 city/31 highway/30 combined mpg |
| Also Available | AWD | 1.3-liter turbo 3-cylinder, AWD |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety Rating | 5 stars | 5 stars |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 104.5 inches | 102.2 inches |
| Overall Length | 179.8 inches | 171.4 inches |
| Width | 72.4 inches | 71.4 inches |
| Height | 63.4 inches | 64.1 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 35.1 feet | 36.8 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 39.4 inches | 39.7 inches |
| Headroom, Rear | 38.0 inches | 38.1 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 41.9 inches | 40.9 inches |
| Legroom, Rear | 37.7 inches | 36.0 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 56.6 inches | 55.4 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Rear | 55.2 inches | 53.6 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 24.4 cubic feet | 23.5 cubic feet |
