2023 Buick Encore GX vs 2023 Ford Escape

The 2023 Buick Encore GX did not reflect Buick's storied design history, such as the iconic 1938 Y-Job. Its styling was a departure from the past without venturing into new territory. The Encore GX's rounded exterior and tall stance resulted in awkward proportions that failed to capture the SUV appeal that has drawn many buyers to this segment. Even with the optional Sport Touring Package, which included subtle enhancements like different bumpers and a black mesh grille, the changes were barely noticeable unless compared side-by-side with a standard model. Inside, the Encore GX Essence trim offered expected features like leather upholstery and dual-zone climate control, but the interior's plastic elements reminded us of its position at the lower end of Buick's lineup. The fit and finish were commendable, yet the design lacked intrigue, with a dashboard and door panels reminiscent of uninspired 1990s automotive design. The instrument cluster, however, stood out with its well-framed digital display.

In contrast, the 2023 Ford Escape embraced a more European design language, moving away from the blocky aesthetics of its predecessors. The 2023 refresh introduced a more traditional front end, replacing the previous grille with a stylish LED light bar and the Ford logo prominently displayed. The Escape offered a range of trims, with the ST-Line Elite showcasing 19-inch wheels and a sleek design that appeared more upscale than many competitors. Inside, the ST-Line Elite featured diamond-stitched leather upholstery, which, while visually appealing, felt hard and plasticky. The seats were comfortable for long drives, and the 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat was easy to customize. Despite the abundance of plastic, the Escape's interior had a textured center console that added a touch of refinement. The Escape's steering was well-weighted, avoiding the twitchiness found in some competitors, and the brakes provided predictable stopping power. The soft suspension, while not performance-oriented, offered a comfortable ride on rough roads.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX offered two turbocharged three-cylinder engine options. The standard 1.2-liter engine produced 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, while the optional 1.3-liter engine delivered 155 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available for the 1.3-liter engine. The Encore GX used different transmissions for its drivetrains: a continuously variable transmission for front-wheel drive models and a nine-speed automatic for all-wheel drive versions. The 1.3-liter AWD test car provided stronger acceleration than expected, though power delivery was not smooth, requiring patience to get the most out of the engine. The ride was comfortable, and the cabin was quiet, thanks to Buick's Quiet Tuning package. However, the Encore GX felt ponderous and awkward, with slow steering and significant body roll.

The 2023 Ford Escape stood out with multiple powertrain options. The 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine produced 180 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This engine was available with both front-wheel and all-wheel drive. Higher trims featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, exclusively with all-wheel drive. Despite the impressive output, the Escape was not a performance crossover, with a soft suspension and no paddle shifters for manual gear changes. The brakes offered linear stopping power, and the steering was well-weighted, avoiding the over-boosted feel of some competitors. The soft suspension provided a comfortable ride on rough roads.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX offered competitive passenger space, with headroom comparable to rivals like the Hyundai Kona and Mazda CX-30. However, the Subaru Crosstrek provided more front legroom, and the Kia Seltos offered more rear-seat 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, surpassing the Kona and CX-30 but falling short of the Seltos. 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 center-console tray. The instrumentation was well-executed, with clear notifications and an array of hard buttons for ease of use.

The 2023 Ford Escape provided comfortable seating and excellent ergonomics. The steering wheel felt great to hold, and the armrests were well-positioned. The Escape's cargo space, with up to 37.5 cubic feet behind the second row and 65.4 cubic feet with the seats folded, was close to the Chevrolet Equinox and Mazda CX-5 but fell short of leaders like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. Passenger space was slightly less than some competitors, but the back seat offered good headroom, and the front-seat backs were padded to maximize space for tall passengers.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX featured a standard 8-inch touchscreen and a 4.2-inch driver information display. Optional features included a built-in navigation system, head-up display, wireless phone charging, and an eight-speaker Bose audio system. Standard tech included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with graphics that looked nicer than many competitors'. The 8-inch touchscreen was small by current standards but fit well within the dashboard design.

The 2023 Ford Escape impressed with its Sync 4 technology. Lower trims had an 8-inch touchscreen, while higher trims like the ST-Line Elite featured a 13.2-inch screen. Sync 4 was well-organized, with easy navigation between Android Auto and the native navigation system. The system included a static "Home" button for easy access to various applications. While Sync 4 was occasionally slow to respond, its feature set and layout were impressive.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX came with standard driver assist features like automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, and a Teen Driver system. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, and a 360-degree camera system. The Encore GX received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and top "Good" ratings in all IIHS crash tests, though it scored "Average" for child-seat anchor ease of use.

The 2023 Ford Escape received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with top scores in frontal and side crash tests. However, it did not receive a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS due to a "Marginal" score in the updated side-impact test. The Escape came standard with Ford's Co-Pilot360 suite, including features like forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. Co-Pilot360 2.0 added adaptive cruise control and lane-centering technology for a semi-autonomous driving experience.