2024 Buick Encore GX vs 2023 Nissan Rogue

The 2023 Nissan Rogue was a testament to the brand's commitment to appealing design without taking significant risks. It featured well-proportioned, chiseled styling with just enough SUV detailing to convey a rugged sense of purpose. The Rogue's lineup included S, SV, SL, and Platinum trims, with prices ranging from $27,360 to $37,140, plus a $1,295 destination charge. Our test vehicle, a Platinum trim with the Premium option package, AWD, and several other upgrades, had an MSRP of $43,100. This price point overlapped with entry-level luxury models like the Infiniti QX50, but the Rogue Platinum offered a long list of upscale features, including soft, diamond-pattern leather seats and high-quality materials.

In contrast, the 2024 Buick Encore GX drew inspiration from the stunning Wildcat concept, resulting in a heavily refreshed model with a new face. The top-of-the-line Avenir trim featured a unique grill and chrome trim, while the rear received new LED tail lights on the top two trims. The Encore GX stood out with its vibrant color options, including brilliant red, deep blue, maroon, and Copper Ice Metallic. The interior saw significant changes, such as the relocation of HVAC vents to accommodate a new 19-inch glass panel housing the digital gauge cluster and touchscreen. Despite some cheap-feeling plastics, the large glass panel gave the Encore GX a premium, techy look.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue underwent a significant powertrain update in 2022, replacing the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with a new turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine featuring Nissan's exclusive variable compression design. This VC-Turbo engine produced 201 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 225 pound-feet of torque from 2,800 to 4,000 rpm. The CVT included paddle shifters, and the Rogue offered Eco, Auto, and Sport driving modes, with AWD versions adding Off-Road and Snow modes. While the new powertrain felt responsive in urban and suburban settings, it lacked passing power on the highway and had an unusual engine note and vibration.

The 2024 Buick Encore GX retained its previous powertrains, offering a 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine with 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. All trims could be upgraded to a 1.3-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 155 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque, mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Encore GX felt responsive enough, accelerating to 60 mph in about nine seconds, but it struggled with highway passing due to a delay in downshifting. The selectable AWD system allowed for some control over fuel efficiency, but competitors offered more seamless automatic systems.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue served as a practical replacement for a traditional family car, comfortably seating four people with the option to squeeze in a fifth. Our Platinum test vehicle featured premium semi-aniline leather upholstery, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a dual-panel panoramic sunroof. The Rogue's rear doors opened to a nearly 90-degree angle, making it easy to load and unload passengers. However, the rear seat comfort was lacking, with a low-mounted bottom cushion and diamond-shaped pleats that felt like sitting on bubble wrap. The Rogue offered up to 36.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expandable to 74.1 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

The 2024 Buick Encore GX, being a subcompact SUV, offered less utility but still provided 23.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expandable to 50.2 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The front seat could be folded down to accommodate items up to eight feet long. The Encore GX featured available heated seats and a heated steering wheel, but seat ventilation was not offered. Standard seats were only two-way power-adjustable, with eight-way adjustable seats available on the top Avenir trim or through the Comfort package.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue used an older infotainment system with a standard 8-inch or available 9-inch touchscreen display. Our test vehicle had the 9-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth connectivity, satellite radio, wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, NissanConnect services, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a navigation system. It also featured a wireless smartphone charging pad and a Bose premium audio system. However, the Alexa Built-in system struggled with voice recognition, failing to provide accurate directions or find points of interest.

The 2024 Buick Encore GX boasted an 11-inch touchscreen paired with an 8-inch digital gauge cluster, all under one pane of glass. While the setup looked impressive, much of the screen real estate was unused. The Encore GX offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, USB-A and USB-C ports, a wireless charging pad, and a 120-volt outlet. The available rear camera mirror provided a wider-angle view of the rear, and the infotainment system was simple and straightforward, lacking advanced features like Amazon Alexa or Google built-in.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue came equipped with 10 airbags, a rear-seat reminder system, and Safety Shield 360, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, rear automatic braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. Higher trims offered ProPilot Assist with Navi-link, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance. The Rogue earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2024 Buick Encore GX included the Driver Confidence package with lane-keeping assist, lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, a following distance indicator, and automatic high beams. Blind-spot monitoring was standard, while rear park assist, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and a 360-degree camera were optional. Unique safety features included Teen Driver and Buckle to Drive. The Encore GX received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, but the 2024 model had not yet been rated by the IIHS.