2023 Buick Encore GX vs 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2023 Buick Encore GX's styling was a marked departure from the brand's storied design history. Known for retro styling cues like portholes, Buick designers opted not to include any of these nostalgic elements in the Encore GX, resulting in a vehicle that didn't seem to capture the past or strike out boldly in a new direction. The rounded exterior surfaces and tall stance gave the car awkward proportions, which did not convey the high-riding SUV look that traditionally attracts buyers. Even other models in the same segment, such as the Subaru Crosstrek, portrayed a more authentic SUV-like appearance despite being a hatchback with lifted suspension and plastic body cladding.

The test car featured the optional Sport Touring Package aimed at spicing up the design with different bumpers, a black mesh grille with red inserts, rocker and body-side moldings, and 18-inch wheels in a two-tone silver/gray finish. However, the changes were subtle, making it hard to discern the difference without parking it next to a standard Encore GX.

Inside, the top-trim Encore GX Essence variant included leather upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and an eight-way power front passenger seat. Yet, it was hard to ignore that the interior was predominately covered with plastic, a reminder that the Encore GX sat at the bottom tier of Buick's model lineup. However, the fit and finish were commendable, with minimal glare-generating shiny plastic.

The interior design fell short of being interesting. The dashboard and door panels bore a resemblance to the blob-like designs typical of the 1990s. The most notable interior feature was the instrument cluster, which housed two round binnacles with outward-pointing housings that framed a small digital display.

Compared to the Buick Encore GX, the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe introduced a fresh, boxy aesthetic that was either the culmination of its brand's evolving design language or an entirely new direction. Hyundai's design chief, SangYup Lee, emphasized that a box shape was optimal for storage capacity, and his team's objective was to make it both elegant and premium. Remarkably, the new Santa Fe was more aerodynamically efficient than its predecessor, turning heads and receiving admiration from unsuspecting onlookers.

The Santa Fe’s exterior was enhanced by a sophisticated palette of colors, including several matte options, and the anodized-finish badging added a touch of elegance. Depending on the trim, wheels ranged from 18-inch alloys to 21-inch wheels on the Calligraphy trim.

Inside, the Santa Fe exuded a premium vibe. The higher trims, XRT and Calligraphy, featured well-thought-out materials and finishes. Soft-padded surfaces greeted occupants, especially around armrests and windowsills, while more luxurious materials covered out-of-the-way areas. One of the highlights was the soothing fabric that lined the headliner, resembling a comfortable winter scarf and hat.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX offered buyers a choice between two turbocharged three-cylinder engines. The standard 1.2-liter engine produced 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, while the optional 1.3-liter engine delivered 155 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque. Front-wheel drive (FWD) was standard, with an all-wheel-drive (AWD) option available only with the 1.3-liter engine.

Interestingly, Buick opted for different transmissions depending on the drivetrain. The FWD models came with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), while the AWD version employed a nine-speed automatic transmission. The 1.3-liter AWD test car provided respectable acceleration, although getting the most out of the engine required patience. The power delivery wasn't particularly smooth due to the small-displacement engine's reliance on a turbocharger and the lag between gears in the nine-speed automatic transmission. The toggle shift lever for manual gear changes was suboptimal, favoring a more measured approach to throttle application.

The Encore GX prioritized ride comfort and cabin quietness, living up to Buick’s reputation. Over deteriorating roads, the suspension managed to soften impacts, and the standard active noise cancellation—a feature typically seen in pricier vehicles—made highway cruising more enjoyable. Still, the driving dynamics were lacking, with the vehicle feeling ponderous and awkward. Slow steering and significant body roll detracted from the overall driving experience.

For the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe, the base powertrain included a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine mated to an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, producing 277 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. FWD was standard across the lineup, with AWD as an available option except for the XRT trim, which came with AWD as standard.

Driving modes included Normal, Sport, and Snow, with Sport mode providing more responsive throttle and steering. The XRT trim added off-road modes and settings. Hyundai also announced that a hybrid powertrain, featuring a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a six-speed automatic, would be available later in the model year, promising 231 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque.

Projected fuel economy varied, with FWD base models rating at 20 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined. These figures dropped slightly for the AWD and XRT models. The Santa Fe Hybrid was expected to achieve significantly better fuel economy, with FWD versions rated at 36 mpg city, 35 mpg highway, and 36 mpg combined.

The Santa Fe Calligraphy test drive highlighted classic Hyundai dynamics—smooth and stable performance with reliable acceleration, throttle response, and shifting. Although body roll was noticeable through turns, the overall experience remained positive. The Santa Fe XRT showcased its off-road capabilities, handling rough terrain well thanks to increased ground clearance and robust all-terrain tires. The off-road settings were user-friendly, and hill-descent control proved effective on steep slopes.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX offered a commendable amount of passenger space comparable to rival compact crossovers. Headroom in both rows was nearly on par with the Hyundai Kona, Mazda CX-30, and Subaru Crosstrek. While the Subaru offered better front legroom, back-seat passengers had slightly more room to stretch out in the Kia Seltos.

Cargo space was another competitive aspect for the Encore GX, providing 23.5 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and expanding to 50.2 cubic feet when the rear seats were folded. Although the Kia Seltos offered significantly more cargo space, the Encore GX managed to hold its ground against other competitors like the Kona and CX-30.

However, the Encore GX did have a few drawbacks. The front seats were positioned far inboard, resulting in a squeezed feeling for the driver and front passenger. While well-cushioned, the seats lacked adequate thigh support, reducing overall comfort during longer drives.

On the plus side, small-item storage in the Encore GX was intelligently designed. Large door pockets, a center-console tray, and the available wireless phone charger were space-efficient, allowing for better organization. The instrument cluster and its various notifications were well-executed and user-friendly.

On the other hand, the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe was designed with both passenger comfort and cargo capacity in mind. The new generation model featured a wheelbase that was two inches longer, with a body that was two inches longer and taller than the previous model. The emphasis was on maximizing cargo space, inspired by the concept of "chabak" in Korean, creating a vehicle that was ideal for car camping and tailgating.

The expansive cargo area was complemented by an extra-wide tailgate that opened up to reveal a neatly organized "terrace" with ample storage. The first and second rows were spacious, although the third row was snug, as is typical for small and midsize SUVs designed to seat six or seven passengers. The Santa Fe was also shorter and narrower than its siblings, the Palisade and Kia Telluride, ensuring minimal market overlap.

Depending on the trim level, the Santa Fe offered various seating arrangements, including a bench or fully reclining captain's chairs in the second row. Stain-resistant cloth upholstery adorned the base SE, while higher trims like the SEL and XRT featured synthetic leather. The top-tier trims, Limited and Calligraphy, boasted real leather and plush quilted Nappa leather, respectively. Heated front seats were standard from the SEL trim upwards, with the Limited and Calligraphy trims adding ventilated front seats. Storage pockets and bottle holders were available in all three rows, further emphasizing a well-organized and relaxing passenger space.

The cargo area boasted 14.6 cubic feet of space behind the third row, expanding to 40.5 cubic feet when the third row was folded and a substantial 79.6 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded. The optional roof rails supported up to 220 pounds, and a new grab handle behind the rear door made loading cargo easier. Limited and Calligraphy models even featured a UV sanitization compartment in the glovebox, capable of sterilizing small objects in about 10 minutes.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen and a 4.2-inch driver information display instrument-cluster screen, flanked by analog gauges. Unlike the digital instrument clusters available in some competitors, the Encore GX maintained a blend of analog and digital displays. Optional tech features included a built-in navigation system, a head-up display, wireless phone charging, and an eight-speaker Bose audio system.

Standard tech features encompassed wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The front passengers enjoyed two USB ports, one Type A and one Type C, while the lack of USB ports for back-seat passengers was a notable omission. The infotainment system carried over a user-friendly interface from other recent GM vehicles, with attractive graphics and easy-to-navigate menus. The 8-inch touchscreen, though small by current standards, was appropriate for the Encore GX’s dashboard design.

In the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe, technology took center stage with a curved panoramic display in the XRT, Limited, and Calligraphy trims. This innovative feature extended from behind the steering wheel to above the center console, providing a luxurious feel. Hyundai claimed this display was the first of its kind in the segment, seamlessly integrating digital real estate without being ostentatious or overly distracting.

The touchscreen display offered intuitive controls, sharp graphics, and clear camera views. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard across the lineup, along with a 12-speaker Bose stereo and dynamic voice recognition. Higher trims also included a Wi-Fi hotspot capable of supporting music streaming services and a total of six USB ports.

The SE and SEL trims featured a simpler 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment display, still packed with features such as four USB ports and optional wireless charging in the center console for all but the SE. The Calligraphy model went a step further with in additional wireless chargers.

Hyundai's BlueLink system provided vehicle access and information via an app, with upgraded versions allowing keyless entry and remote vehicle control. All but the base SE were equipped with Hyundai Pay, a system for securely making payments at partnered vendors. The Santa Fe also introduced a biometric fingerprint scanner, enabling additional control options.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX came equipped with a robust suite of standard driver-assistance features, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and a Teen Driver system. Optional safety features included adaptive cruise control, automatic park assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Additionally, Buick offered a 360-degree camera system and a rearview camera mirror.

The Encore GX earned a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), with top ratings in frontal and side crash tests and a four-star rating in the rollover category. It also received the 2022 Top Safety Pick award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), although its child-seat anchor ease of use was rated lower.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe hadn't yet been crash-tested by the IIHS or NHTSA, but Hyundai's vehicles typically performed well in these evaluations. Hyundai loaded the Santa Fe with standard advanced safety and driver-assistance features, even on the base SE trim. These features included a reversing camera, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality, forward collision-avoidance assist, intersection assistance, pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind-spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alert with automatic braking, safe-exit assist, lane-keep assist, lane-following assist, driver-attention monitoring with hands-off alert, and rear-occupant reminder.

The SEL trim added an upgraded rear-occupant reminder system and forward-attention warning, while the XRT trim featured Hyundai's highway limited hands-free driving system. For the Limited trim, Hyundai included a 360-degree camera system, blind-spot view monitor, rain-sensing windshield wipers, a suite of parking sensors, reverse parking collision assist, remote automatic parking, and the glovebox sanitization compartment.

The top-tier Calligraphy trim further added a widescreen head-up display (HUD) and advanced blind-spot and forward collision-avoidance systems. The 2024 Santa Fe was also the first Hyundai vehicle to feature driver monitoring, using infrared cameras and capacitive sensors to track driver alertness and hand positioning.