2023 Buick Encore GX vs 2022 Toyota Sienna

The 2022 Toyota Sienna stood out in a market where minivans were becoming increasingly rare. Despite the dominance of SUVs, Toyota remained committed to the minivan segment, evolving its design over the years. The fourth-generation Sienna, launched in 2021, embraced a more assertive SUV-like style while retaining its minivan functionality. The exterior featured a macho front end, re-engineered sliding door hinges, and integrated styling details, giving it a robust stance. The interior was designed with family convenience in mind, offering ample storage, comfortable seating, and a spacious third-row bench that could easily be stowed away.

In contrast, the 2023 Buick Encore GX did not reflect Buick's historical design excellence. The Encore GX's rounded exterior and tall stance resulted in awkward proportions that failed to capture the high-riding SUV appeal. Even with the optional Sport Touring Package, which added subtle styling tweaks, the overall look remained uninspiring. Inside, the top-trim Essence model featured expected amenities like leather upholstery and dual-zone climate control, but the abundance of plastic materials reminded drivers of its entry-level status. The dashboard and door panels had a dated design, though the instrument cluster with its clear layout was a notable feature.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna exclusively featured a hybrid powertrain, combining a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors to produce 243 horsepower. Front-wheel drive was standard, with an all-wheel-drive option available across all trims. The AWD system utilized a separate electric motor for the rear wheels, simplifying the mechanical setup. The Sienna's electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (CVT) offered smooth power delivery and enhanced fuel efficiency, with selectable drive modes for different driving conditions. The Sienna's handling was surprisingly agile for a minivan, thanks to its advanced suspension system. Fuel economy was impressive, with the FWD model achieving 36 mpg in all driving conditions and the AWD model slightly lower at 35 mpg.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX offered two turbocharged three-cylinder engines: a standard 1.2-liter producing 137 horsepower and an optional 1.3-liter with 155 horsepower. Front-wheel drive was standard, while the 1.3-liter engine could be paired with all-wheel drive. The FWD models used a CVT, whereas the AWD models featured a nine-speed automatic transmission. The 1.3-liter AWD test car provided decent acceleration, but power delivery was inconsistent, requiring a patient driving approach. The Encore GX excelled in ride comfort and noise reduction, thanks to its well-damped suspension and active noise cancellation. However, its handling was less impressive, with significant body roll and unresponsive steering.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna was designed to be a versatile family vehicle, capable of carrying a full 4x8 sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed. The sliding second row added flexibility for loading cargo, with measurements of 33.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 75.2 cubic feet behind the second row, and 101 cubic feet behind the first row. The Sienna also boasted a 3,500-pound towing capacity. The power-operated sliding doors and tailgate, with foot-motion triggers, provided added convenience for busy families.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX offered competitive passenger space, with headroom comparable to rivals like the Hyundai Kona and Mazda CX-30. However, the Kia Seltos provided more rear legroom and cargo space. The Encore GX had 23.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 50.2 cubic feet with them folded. The front seats were positioned close together, reducing the sense of spaciousness, and lacked thigh support. Despite the limited cabin size, Buick maximized small-item storage with large door pockets and a space-efficient wireless phone charger. The instrumentation was well-executed, with clear displays and useful hard buttons.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna came equipped with a 9-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and SiriusXM. However, it lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Sienna offered various telematics services, Bluetooth, and optional Qi wireless phone charging. Higher trims featured a 12-speaker JBL audio system and a rear-seat entertainment system with an 11.6-inch display. The instrument panel included a multi-information display, with a 10-inch head-up display available on Platinum models. Limited and Platinum trims could also upgrade to a digital rearview mirror.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX featured an 8-inch touchscreen and a 4.2-inch driver information display. Standard tech included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and SiriusXM. Optional features included built-in navigation, a head-up display, wireless phone charging, and an eight-speaker Bose audio system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with clear graphics and intuitive menus. However, the back-seat passengers lacked USB ports, and the 8-inch touchscreen, while functional, was smaller than some competitors.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. It came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included adaptive cruise control, lane centering, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and traffic sign recognition. The Sienna also featured 10 airbags, multiple LATCH connectors, a rear-seat reminder system, tire-pressure monitoring, and an inflator kit. A spare tire was available as an option.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX also received high safety ratings, including a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and a Teen Driver system. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, automatic park assist, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, a 360-degree camera system, and a rearview camera mirror.