2022 Buick Encore GX vs 2023 Toyota Sienna

The 2022 Buick Encore GX was often mistaken for its sibling, the Encore, due to their strikingly similar designs. Both SUVs featured Buick's signature trapezoidal "waterfall" grille, high beltline, and comparable headlight styling, front fascia designs, and fog light placements. The Encore GX, however, had a slightly longer wheelbase and additional length, making it appear less tall and stubby. The optional ST (Sport Touring) appearance package enhanced its aesthetics with body-color bodyside and rocker moldings, custom grille, sport bumpers with red accents, 18-inch aluminum wheels, and an "ST" badge on the liftgate. Inside, the Encore GX offered a comfortable cabin with soft-touch materials and leather seats on higher trims, though it wasn't truly premium. The heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel and straightforward controls added to its user-friendly design.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna aimed to shed its minivan image with a front-end styling reminiscent of a Japanese bullet train. It offered various trim levels, including the new 25th Anniversary Special Edition. The XLE trim, expected to be popular among value-conscious shoppers, added features like LED fog lights, power-sliding doors, and a power liftgate. Inside, the Sienna impressed with high-quality brown leather upholstery and wood-grain accents on the center console. It could seat seven or eight passengers, with the eight-seater option supporting three-across car seats in the middle row. The second-row captain’s chairs were highly functional, featuring extending ottomans and a long sliding track for added legroom.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX offered two turbocharged three-cylinder engines: a 1.2-liter unit producing 137 horsepower and a 1.3-liter motor making 155 hp. The 1.2-liter engine was standard on the Preferred and Select trims, while the 1.3-liter was standard on the top Essence trim and optional on the lower trims. Front-wheel drive (FWD) was standard, with all-wheel drive (AWD) available as an option. FWD models used a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), while AWD models had a nine-speed automatic. The 1.3-liter turbo engine and CVT in the test vehicle provided adequate power, though it was a bit buzzy. The Encore GX's ride was not as settled as expected, and noise levels were higher than anticipated, despite Buick's QuietTuning and active noise cancellation technologies.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna, introduced in 2020, came with a hybrid powertrain featuring a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and two front-mounted electric motors, plus a third rear-mounted motor for AWD trims. The combined system produced 245 horsepower, which felt underwhelming for the Sienna's size and weight. The CVT tended to claw its way up the rev band, making for a less pleasant driving experience compared to competitors like the Odyssey. However, the Sienna's chassis and steering were impressive, offering nimble handling and a tidy turning radius. The Sienna featured multiple drive modes, but Normal mode was recommended for the best balance of performance and efficiency.

Despite its small size, the 2022 Buick Encore GX provided a comfortable and easy-to-live-with experience. Ingress and egress were straightforward, and controls were clearly marked and legible. Front-seat headroom and legroom were adequate, though rear-seat knee room was tight. Cargo space measured 23.5 cubic feet behind the rear bench seat and 50.2 cubic feet with the seat folded. The two-level cargo floor and optional hands-free power liftgate added convenience.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna excelled in interior storage solutions, with plenty of space for bags and personal items. It featured a large open cubby below the center console, a long shelf on the dash, and numerous cupholders. The Sienna's minivan platform made excellent use of space, offering 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row and 75.2 cubic feet with the seat folded. Total cargo space was 101 cubic feet, though the middle row of seats could not be fully removed or folded into the floor. The second-row captain’s chairs were highly functional, with extending ottomans and a long sliding track for added legroom.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX offered decent tech for its price, including an eight-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth audio streaming, and a built-in WiFi hotspot. The Advanced Technology package added features like HD surround vision, a head-up display, adaptive cruise control, and an upgraded infotainment system with navigation. The Convenience package included automatic parking assist, wireless phone charging, and a rear camera mirror. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with intuitive app layouts and efficient voice recognition.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna, however, used Toyota’s older infotainment interface. It included core features like SiriusXM satellite radio, Bluetooth connectivity, standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and seven USB ports. The interface had physical buttons, which were functional but looked and felt outdated. Both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay required a wired connection, and accessing Android Auto was cumbersome. Despite these quirks, the Sienna’s technology was reliable, and the 9-inch touchscreen and 12-speaker JBL audio system performed well.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX came standard with several driver assistance features, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance. It also featured Teen Driver technology and a tire-fill alert system. The Encore GX earned five stars in NHTSA crash tests and received "Good" ratings in all IIHS crash tests. However, its headlights received mixed ratings, with the top Essence trim earning an "Acceptable" rating and lower trims receiving a "Marginal" rating.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna impressed with its standard safety technology, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning with steering assist, blind-spot monitoring, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. The Sienna earned five stars in NHTSA crash tests and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS for the 2022 model. While competitors like Honda and Chrysler also received high safety ratings, Toyota focused on essential safety features without adding gimmicky extras.