2023 Buick Encore GX vs 2024 Ford Escape

The 2023 Buick Encore GX departed significantly from Buick's storied history of design excellence. Unlike the timeless elegance of past models, like the 1938 Y-Job, the Encore GX’s styling missed the mark. Its rounded exterior surfaces and tall stance created awkward proportions that didn't capture the high-riding SUV allure. The Subaru Crosstrek, a true hatchback with lifted suspension, looked more SUV-like by comparison.

Our Encore GX test model sported the optional Sport Touring Package, which attempted to enhance its aesthetics with unique front and rear bumpers, a black mesh grille with red inserts, rocker and body-side moldings, and 18-inch two-tone silver/gray wheels. However, the difference was subtle—barely noticeable unless parked next to a standard Encore.

Inside, the Encore GX Essence trim offered leather upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, a 10-way power driver’s seat, and an eight-way power front passenger seat. Still, the overall abundance of plastic materials reminded us of its position at the lower end of Buick's hierarchy. Fit and finish were commendable, minimizing glare from shiny plastics, but the interior design felt uninspired. The dashboard and door panels evoked a bygone era of automotive design, and only the instrument cluster, with its two outward-pointing binnacles framing a small digital display, stood out.

In contrast, the 2024 Ford Escape received a significant makeover in 2023, which carried over into the 2024 model. The Escape’s front end was restyled to present a more aggressive appearance, bidding farewell to the wide-eyed, toothless smile of its predecessor. While the rest of the body retained a soft, generically appealing look, the overall design was more cohesive and modern.

Ford’s 2024 Escape was offered in multiple trims, including the sporty ST-Line Elite. Our test vehicle came with Rapid Red paint, black 19-inch wheels, the Premium Technology Package, and a Panoramic Vista Roof, pushing the price to $43,650. Inside, the ST-Line Elite trim featured diamond-stitched leather seating, ambient lighting, and a range of tech upgrades. Unfortunately, glossy surfaces and stiff upholstery detracted from the premium feel, and the steep price seemed unjustified.

Despite the sporty ST-Line badge, the Escape's driving dynamics and interior comfort didn't fully live up to the name. The seats were large and soft, suitable for long journeys, but the interior ambiance was marred by the overuse of shiny materials.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX offered two turbocharged three-cylinder engine options. The standard 1.2-liter turbo-three produced 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, while the optional 1.3-liter engine generated 155 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque. Front-wheel drive (FWD) was standard, with all-wheel drive (AWD) available exclusively with the 1.3-liter engine.

Buick utilized different transmissions depending on the drivetrain configuration. FWD models, whether with the 1.2-liter or 1.3-liter engines, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). In contrast, AWD models received a nine-speed automatic transmission. Our test car, equipped with the 1.3-liter AWD setup, provided stronger-than-expected acceleration, complemented by a pleasant engine note. However, power delivery wasn't smooth, typical for a small turbocharged engine, and the nine-speed automatic often found itself in the wrong gear. Manual shifting was available via a toggle on the shift lever, but it wasn’t the most user-friendly option. A smooth, steady throttle application proved to be the best driving approach.

Buick’s commitment to comfort shone through in the Encore GX’s ride quality and noise isolation. The suspension effectively dampened bumps, and the Quiet Tuning package with standard active noise cancellation made highway cruising a serene experience. However, the driving dynamics felt cumbersome, with slow and lifeless steering and significant body roll.

In comparison, the 2024 Escape ST-Line Elite offered a blend of powertrains, including a 192-horsepower hybrid (expected to get 39 mpg combined) and a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 250 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque, which averaged 26 mpg combined. Our test vehicle featured the turbo engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and a standard AWD system with a driveline disconnect feature for improved fuel economy. The Escape also provided driving modes: Eco, Normal, Sport, and Slippery, but no Off-Road mode. Towing capacity for the turbo model reached 3,500 pounds.

While the turbo engine delivered quick acceleration, the sporty ST-Line label was more about appearance than driving dynamics. The ride was soft and compliant, allowing too much body motion. Steering was sluggish and numb, and while brake pedal response was good, the overall driving experience felt disconnected. The turbo engine’s potential seemed wasted in a setup that prioritized comfort over performance.

The Escape provided a comfortable and isolated ride for daily commuting but left enthusiasts wanting more in terms of driving engagement. Ford’s less powerful 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine, offered in lower trims, produced 180 hp and 199 lb-ft of torque, delivering adequate performance for most drivers.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX offered competitive passenger space for a subcompact crossover. Headroom in both rows was comparable to rivals like the Hyundai Kona, Mazda CX-30, and Subaru Crosstrek, though the Subaru provided slightly more front legroom and the Kia Seltos offered more rear legroom. Cargo space in the Encore GX stood at 23.5 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 50.2 cubic feet with them folded, which exceeded the Hyundai Kona and Mazda CX-30 but fell short of the Kia Seltos.

Despite respectable cargo space, the Encore GX had some drawbacks. The front seats were positioned too far inboard, creating a tight feeling for front passengers. Additionally, the seats lacked adequate thigh support, affecting long-term comfort. On the positive side, Buick optimized small-item storage, providing large door pockets, a center-console tray, and an efficient wireless phone charger design. The instrument panel was well-designed, with clear and informative displays.

The 2024 Ford Escape’s ST-Line interior, exclusively available in black with red stitching, featured cloth inserts with artificial leather bolsters. While leather was optional on the ST-Line Elite trim, it didn’t offer the expected premium feel. Our test vehicle included amenities like ambient interior lighting, dual-zone climate control, power-adjustable front seats, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. Missing, however, were ventilated front seats, a notable absence during our test in Southern California’s heat.

Front seats in the Escape felt large and supportive, with the height-adjustable front passenger seat being a rare find in this segment. The rear seat offered decent comfort when slid to its rearmost position. Ease of entry and exit was a highlight, along with generous front interior storage. Cargo space was commendable, with 37.5 cubic feet behind the back seat (34.4 cubic feet in the hybrid) and 65.4 cubic feet with the rear seats down (60.8 cubic feet in the hybrid). The cargo area included deep side storage areas and a grocery bag hook, enhancing practicality.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX came equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen and a 4.2-inch driver information display nestled between the analog gauges. While it lacked a fully digital instrument cluster like some competitors, it offered a built-in navigation system, head-up display, wireless phone charging, and an eight-speaker Bose audio system as options. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The interface was user-friendly with aesthetically pleasing graphics, and the 8-inch screen size didn’t pose issues, fitting seamlessly into the dashboard design.

In contrast, the 2024 Ford Escape featured standard digital instrumentation, with an 8-inch display in lower trims and a 12.3-inch display in upper trims. Our ST-Line Elite test vehicle boasted the larger display with clear graphics and extensive data. However, the standout feature was the 13.2-inch Sync 4 infotainment system, which used a landscape format for easier operation. The content was well-organized, but the color scheme made the display look washed out, and the thin fonts were hard to read at a glance. Integrating the climate controls into a small strip at the bottom of the screen was also less than ideal.

Lower trims of the Escape featured an 8-inch Sync 4 system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and FordPass Connect services. The larger 13.2-inch touchscreen added Amazon Alexa and a complimentary three-year subscription to connected navigation. While the infotainment system had occasional lag times, and the wireless charger heated iPhones excessively, the voice recognition system was impressive, offering smooth transitions between Apple CarPlay and the native environment.

Additionally, the Escape had an optional head-up display (HUD), which projected information on a clear plastic piece rather than the windshield. It was included in the Premium Technology Package, but its practical value was debatable.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX came standard with a robust set of driver-assist features, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and the 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 that offered a clearer view by eliminating blind spots.

The Encore GX was highly rated by safety organizations, earning a 2022 Top Safety Pick designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Similarly, the 2024 Ford Escape featured the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite, including forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high-beam headlights as standard. Our ST-Line Elite test model added adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, lane-centering assist, and a 360-degree camera system.

While driving, the Escape’s safety systems displayed inconsistent behavior, particularly the lane-keeping assist and predictive speed assist, which slowed the vehicle excessively on curves. The adaptive cruise control and lane-centering systems worked better on freeways, providing smoother operation in stop-and-go traffic.

The NHTSA gave the 2024 Escape favorable ratings, including five stars in most categories, with a four-star rating for rollover resistance and frontal-impact driver protection for the Plug-in Hybrid. The IIHS had not yet rated the 2024 model, but in 2023, the Escape received Good ratings in most tests, with a Marginal score in a new side-impact test.