2022 Toyota Sienna vs 2021 Buick Encore GX

The 2021 Buick Encore GX was praised for its stylish design, which was a significant improvement over the original Encore, often referred to as "the shoe" due to its awkward proportions. The Encore GX offered a sleek and well-proportioned exterior, available in three trim levels: Preferred, Select, and Essence. Buyers could opt for the Sport Touring package for a sportier look. The SUV provided a choice between front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD), with two turbocharged three-cylinder engines. The interior, while offering expected quality for its segment, had some drawbacks, such as hard-to-read analog gauges and a vibrating head-up display. Despite its premium positioning, the Encore GX's cabin lacked refinement, especially given its price point.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota Sienna embraced its minivan identity while incorporating SUV-like styling elements. The Sienna featured a bold front end and cleverly concealed sliding door channels, giving it a more assertive stance. Inside, the Sienna avoided the typical minivan feel with an uncluttered design and ample storage options. It offered comfortable seating for second- and third-row passengers, with available captain's chairs and a spacious third-row bench. The Sienna's interior was designed with family convenience in mind, providing power-operated sliding doors and a tailgate with foot-motion triggers for easy access.

The 2021 Buick Encore GX offered two turbocharged engine options. The standard 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine produced 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, while the more powerful 1.3-liter engine delivered 155 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque. The Encore GX's driving experience was described as adequate, with enough power for highway cruising. However, the ride quality was criticized for being too brittle over rough roads and too soft over speed humps. Despite Buick's efforts to enhance cabin quietness, the Encore GX was not particularly quiet inside. The SUV's handling was decent, with flat cornering and good braking performance, but it lacked the refinement expected from a premium brand.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna, on the other hand, came exclusively with a hybrid powertrain, combining a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors to produce 243 horsepower. The Sienna's handling was surprisingly good for a minivan, thanks to its advanced suspension system. It offered a smooth and comfortable ride, with minimal body roll. The Sienna's hybrid powertrain delivered impressive fuel economy, with EPA ratings of 36 mpg city/highway/combined for FWD models and 35 mpg for AWD models. The Sienna's hybrid system was complemented by an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (CVT), providing smooth and efficient power delivery.

The 2021 Buick Encore GX offered a high seating position and supportive front seats, though the rear seats were less comfortable, especially for taller passengers. Interior storage was good, with a trunk capacity of 23.5 cubic feet, expandable to 50.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The Encore GX featured a fold-flat front passenger seat for carrying long items. However, the rear lacked air conditioning vents, which could be a drawback for passengers.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna excelled in interior space and versatility. It could accommodate a full 4x8 sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed, thanks to its flexible seating and cargo configurations. The Sienna offered 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 75.2 cubic feet behind the second row, and 101 cubic feet behind the first row. It also had a 3,500-pound towing capacity. The Sienna's interior was designed for family convenience, with power-operated sliding doors and a tailgate, as well as ample storage cubbies and cupholders throughout the cabin.

The 2021 Buick Encore GX featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity for two devices, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The test vehicle included a navigation system, voice recognition, SiriusXM radio, and a surround-view camera. However, it lacked the available Bose premium sound system. The infotainment system was praised for its quick response, user-friendly interface, and steering wheel-mounted stereo controls.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna came with a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration. It included a six-speaker audio system, with higher trims offering a 12-speaker JBL system. The Sienna also featured a rear-seat entertainment system with an 11.6-inch display. The Sienna's technology package included telematics services, Bluetooth connectivity, and optional Qi wireless phone charging. Higher trims offered a digital rearview mirror and a head-up display for added convenience.

The 2021 Buick Encore GX came with standard Buick Driver Confidence features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available on higher trims. The Encore GX received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA but had not been tested by the IIHS.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. It came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included adaptive cruise control, lane centering, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. The Sienna also featured 10 airbags, LATCH connectors for child seats, and a rear-seat reminder system. Tire-pressure monitoring and an inflator kit were standard, with an optional spare tire.