2023 Buick Encore GX vs 2023 Toyota Sienna

The 2023 Buick Encore GX did not reflect Buick's storied design history. Its rounded exterior surfaces and tall stance resulted in awkward proportions that failed to capture the high-riding SUV look popular in the market. Even with the optional Sport Touring Package, which included different front and rear bumpers, a black mesh grille with red inserts, rocker and body-side moldings, and 18-inch wheels, the changes were subtle and barely noticeable without a direct comparison to a standard Encore.

Inside, the Encore GX Essence trim offered expected features like leather upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, and power-adjustable seats. However, the abundance of plastic materials reminded us of its position at the bottom of Buick's model hierarchy. The fit and finish were commendable, but the design was uninspired, with a blob-like dashboard and door panels reminiscent of 1990s automotive design. The instrument cluster, with its two round binnacles and small digital display, was the only standout feature.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna aimed to shed its minivan image with front-end styling resembling a Japanese bullet train and 20-inch wheels on certain trims. The Sienna offered a variety of trims, from the base LE to the top-shelf Platinum, including a new 25th Anniversary Special Edition. The XLE trim, likely the starting point for value-conscious shoppers, added features like LED fog lights, power-sliding doors, and a power liftgate.

Inside, the Sienna impressed with high-quality materials, such as brown leather upholstery and wood-grain accents in the Platinum trim. It offered seating for seven or eight passengers, with the eight-seater 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 Sienna's interior was designed for practicality and comfort, making it a smart choice for families.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX offered two turbocharged three-cylinder engines: a standard 1.2-liter producing 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, and an optional 1.3-liter engine with 155 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available for the 1.3-liter engine. The FWD models used a continuously variable transmission (CVT), while AWD models featured a nine-speed automatic transmission.

Our 1.3-liter AWD test car delivered stronger acceleration than expected, but power delivery was not smooth, requiring patience to get the most out of the engine. The nine-speed automatic transmission often felt caught in the wrong gear, making manual shifting less than ideal. The Encore GX excelled in ride comfort and noise reduction, thanks to its well-damped suspension and active noise cancellation. However, it felt ponderous and awkward in most driving situations, with slow and lifeless steering and significant body roll.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna, introduced in 2020, featured a hybrid powertrain across all models. It combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two front-mounted electric motors and a third rear-mounted motor for AWD trims, producing a total of 245 horsepower. While the powertrain specs were less impressive than competitors, the Sienna's chassis and steering were commendable. It was easy to drive around town and cruised comfortably on the highway, with a nimble platform and light steering feel.

The Sienna offered multiple drive modes—EV, Normal, Eco, and Sport—but Normal mode was the most practical. Eco mode extended the CVT's simulated gears too much, and EV mode rarely allowed for electric-only driving. Sport mode did not significantly alter the driving experience. Despite its size, the Sienna was genuinely fun to drive, with a tidy turning radius and responsive handling.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX provided competitive passenger space, with headroom comparable to rivals like the Hyundai Kona, Mazda CX-30, and Subaru Crosstrek. However, the Subaru offered more front legroom, and 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 in place and 50.2 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The front seats were placed far inboard, reducing the feeling of spaciousness, and lacked thigh support. However, the Encore GX made good use of available space for small-item storage, with large door pockets and a center-console tray. The wireless phone charger was space-efficient, and the instrumentation was well-executed, with clear notifications and an array of hard buttons for ease of use.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna excelled in interior storage solutions, with plenty of space for large bags or purses in the open cubby below the center console and a long shelf extending from the middle of the dash. The Sienna also featured a big bin in the center console and numerous cupholders. At over 200 inches long with a 120.5-inch wheelbase, the Sienna offered ample cargo space, with 33.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 75.2 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 101 cubic feet total.

Unlike some competitors, the Sienna's middle row of seats could not be fully removed or folded into the floor. However, the second-row captain’s chairs were highly functional, with extending ottomans and a long sliding track for added legroom. The third-row seats could accommodate adults comfortably, making the Sienna a practical choice for families.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX came standard with an 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 interface was user-friendly, with clear graphics and menu layouts, although the 8-inch touchscreen was relatively small.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna used an older infotainment interface, with core features like SiriusXM satellite radio, Bluetooth, standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and an optional navigation system. The Sienna had seven USB ports and physical buttons for ease of use. However, the interface felt outdated and required wired connections for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Despite these quirks, the 9-inch touchscreen did not look undersized, and the 12-speaker JBL audio system sounded good.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX included standard driver assist features like automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, 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. The Encore GX received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and was an IIHS 2022 Top Safety Pick.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna came standard with advanced driver assistance systems, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning with steering assist, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. The Sienna received a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS for the 2022 model. Toyota focused on essential safety features, although competitors offered additional family-friendly features like intercom systems and rear-seat cameras.