2024 Buick Encore GX vs 2023 Volvo XC90

The 2023 Volvo XC90 marked a significant departure from Volvo's past boxy designs. It showcased a purposeful yet understated front end, with an assertive grille and the distinctive "Thor’s Hammer" headlights. The Platinum Gray paint added a touch of richness, while the interior boasted elegant design elements like two-tone leather, metal Bowers and Wilkins speaker covers, and luxurious Nappa leather upholstery. The minimalist cabin featured wood deco inlays and a clean, button-light layout, enhancing its sophisticated appeal.

In contrast, the 2024 Buick Encore GX, inspired by the Wildcat concept, sported a refreshed look with sleek daytime running lights and angular LED lamps. The Avenir trim featured a unique grille and chrome trim, while the rear received new LED tail lights. The Encore GX offered a vibrant color palette, including options like Copper Ice Metallic. Inside, the biggest change was the 19-inch glass panel housing the digital gauge cluster and touchscreen, giving it a premium, techy look. However, the interior had some cheap-feeling plastics and limited color options.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 introduced new B5 and B6 engines with mild-hybrid technology, replacing the older T5 and T6 engines. The B5 engine, with a turbocharger and 48-volt mild-hybrid system, produced 247 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The B6 engine, featuring both a supercharger and turbocharger, delivered 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. The mild-hybrid system improved fuel efficiency and smoothness, though the gains were minimal. The XC90 offered a reserved yet enjoyable driving experience, with quick acceleration, a smooth eight-speed automatic transmission, and excellent brakes. It handled well in various conditions, including a New Hampshire snowstorm.

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. An optional 1.3-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine produced 155 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque, mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Encore GX felt responsive but not quick, with a 0-60 mph time of about nine seconds. Highway passing required patience due to a delay in downshifting. The selectable AWD system allowed for fuel-saving FWD operation, though some rivals offered automatic AWD engagement.

The 2023 Volvo XC90's interior exuded Scandinavian minimalism, but it had limited cubby space for smaller items. The second row was comfortable but challenging to adjust, and accessing the third row was difficult with the standard bench seat. Cargo space was decent, with 12.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 65.5 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. The XC90 drove like a smaller car, thanks to its compact dimensions.

The 2024 Buick Encore GX, being a subcompact SUV, offered 23.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 50.2 cubic feet with the seats folded. It could accommodate items up to eight feet long with the front seat folded. The Encore GX featured available heated seats and a heated steering wheel, but seat ventilation was not offered. Standard two-way power-adjustable seats could be upgraded to eight-way adjustable seats on higher trims. A seven-speaker Bose audio system was also available.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 featured a 9-inch vertically positioned touchscreen running Google OS, with built-in Google Maps, Spotify, NPR, and Google Assistant. The 12.3-inch driver information display also showed Google Maps. While the tech was impressive, some functions were buried within the touchscreen interface, leading to frustration. More physical buttons and redundant controls would have been appreciated.

The 2024 Buick Encore GX had an 11-inch touchscreen paired with an 8-inch digital gauge cluster under one pane of glass. However, 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 an available 120-volt outlet. The rear camera mirror provided a wider-angle view of the rear. The infotainment system was simple, with basic tiles for smartphone mirroring, climate control, settings, camera views, and a Wi-Fi hotspot.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 was renowned for its safety, earning a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and Pilot Assist technology, which maintained distance from the car ahead and helped with lane-keeping.

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