2023 Buick Encore GX vs 2024 Toyota Sienna

The 2023 Buick Encore GX, despite Buick's storied design history, did not carry forward any of the brand's classic styling cues. The vehicle's rounded exterior 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 bumpers, a black mesh grille with red inserts, and 18-inch wheels, the changes were subtle and barely noticeable without a direct comparison to a standard model.

Inside, the Encore GX Essence trim offered expected features like leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control, and power-adjustable seats. However, the interior was dominated by plastic materials, reminding us of its position at the bottom of Buick's lineup. 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 2024 Toyota Sienna, available in multiple trims including LE, XLE, XSE, Woodland Edition, Limited, and Platinum, presented a distinctive look. The minivan featured sleek front and rear fascias and came in vibrant colors like deep blue, red, and green. LED lighting was standard, with upper trims boasting Bi-LED projector headlamps. The XSE trim, with its black metallic mesh grille, black heated side mirrors, and 20-inch dark wheels, added a sporty touch.

The Woodland Edition, designed for a bit more off-road capability, included roof rails with crossbars, a tow hitch, and slightly increased ground clearance. Inside, the Sienna offered cloth seats, three-zone climate control, and room for eight passengers. The XSE trim with the optional Premium package replaced the second-row bench with captain's chairs and added heated and cooled leather-trimmed front seats. The interior design featured horizontal lines for a spacious feel, a fixed center console with satin accents, and easily accessible cup holders and shifter. Upper trims even included a built-in vacuum cleaner.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX offered 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 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 provided stronger acceleration than expected, but 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 and lifeless steering and significant body roll.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna, a hybrid minivan, combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors, producing a total of 245 horsepower. AWD models added an electric motor for the rear wheels. Despite the sport-tuned suspension and Sport mode, the Sienna felt sluggish off the line, and the CVT did not enhance the driving experience. Acceleration was smooth but slow, especially when merging on highways or climbing hills.

Around town, the Sienna provided a pleasant, if unremarkable, driving experience. Normal or Eco mode was best for city driving, with an EV mode for slow-speed areas. The brakes were a bit grabby, but the steering was light and accurate, and visibility was excellent. For those seeking more driving pleasure, other minivans like the Honda Odyssey, Kia Carnival, or Chrysler Pacifica offered stronger V6 engines.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX offered competitive passenger space, with headroom comparable to rivals like the Hyundai Kona, Mazda CX-30, and Subaru Crosstrek. However, the Subaru provided more front legroom, and the Kia Seltos offered 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 placed close together, 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 space-efficient wireless phone charger. The instrumentation was well-executed, with clear information displays and an array of hard buttons for ease of use.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna excelled in interior space and functionality. The front storage pass-through could fit bulkier items, and there were multiple cupholders and storage options. The second-row captain's chairs could slide 25 inches, providing up to 40 inches of legroom. However, the slide function was complicated, and the seats could not be removed, limiting maximum cargo space.

The third row was accessible and offered ample legroom when the second row was adjusted. The Sienna featured tri-zone climate control, with an additional zone for the front passenger in the XSE trim. The rear liftgate, activated by a kick motion, revealed 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 75 cubic feet with the third row stowed and 101 cubic feet with the second row folded.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX came with 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 interface was user-friendly, with clear graphics and easy-to-navigate menus.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna, unfortunately, retained Toyota's older infotainment system, featuring a nine-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While the system included physical buttons for common menus, the backup camera's grainy view was disappointing. The Sienna had a 7-inch digital display in the instrument cluster and offered a Wi-Fi hotspot, SiriusXM satellite radio, and an optional 12-speaker JBL stereo system. USB ports were plentiful, and a 1500-watt inverter with a 120-volt outlet was available. Optional features included an 11.6-inch rear-seat entertainment system and a 10-inch color head-up display.

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

The 2024 Toyota Sienna came standard with the Toyota Safety Sense suite, including lane departure alert, automatic emergency braking, road sign recognition, full-speed adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. The Sienna had numerous airbags, a seat belt reminder for rear passengers, and a reminder to check the rear seats for cargo or passengers. The Sienna received a four-star rating for frontal crash and rollover protection and a five-star rating for side crash protection from the NHTSA. The IIHS rated it "Good" in crashworthiness and seat belt and child restraint systems, but "Average" in front crash prevention.