Hyundai Tucson vs Buick Encore GX

The 2024 Buick Encore GX represented a striking evolution in Buick's design language, tracing its inspiration back to the 2022 Wildcat concept. This heavily refreshed model flaunted a revamped front fascia highlighted by sleek daytime running lights perched above the grille, flanked by angular LED lamps on either side. The new Buick logo added a touch of modernity. The top-of-the-line Avenir trim showcased a unique grille and chrome accents, enhancing its upscale appeal. The rear design retained much from the 2023 model, with new LED tail lights gracing the top trims. The available 19-inch wheels further emphasized the vehicle's sophisticated design.

Buick's color palette for the Encore GX was a breath of fresh air, featuring not just the typical greys and beiges but also vibrant hues like brilliant red, deep blue, and maroon. The Copper Ice Metallic was almost orange, adding a dash of uniqueness to the ensemble. Some color variants offered a contrasting black roof, mirrors, and roof rails, adding a sporty flair.

Inside, the most significant change was the relocation of the HVAC vents, making way for a 19-inch glass panel that housed the digital gauge cluster and touchscreen. While this setup presented a high-tech appearance at first glance, some cheap-feeling plastics in the interior slightly marred the premium feel. However, given the price point, these drawbacks were forgivable.

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson, carrying over its fantastic styling from its 2022 introduction, featured taut angles and unique design elements such as the headlights seamlessly integrated into the grille. The overall design was contemporary and aggressive, exuding a handsome appeal even in the less photogenic white color of our test vehicle.

Each Tucson trim level had distinct exterior features. The SE boasted 17-inch alloy wheels and roof rails, while the SEL added 19-inch wheels with an available Convenience Package. The XRT trim included exclusive black 19-inch alloy wheels, side steps, dark trim, and functional roof racks. The Limited trim stood out with a dark chrome grille and upgraded headlights.

Inside, the Tucson's modern cabin was brimming with technology, yet remained approachable. One of our few gripes was the lack of a traditional volume dial in favor of touch-capacitive buttons, which were less intuitive. However, the placement of controls near the shifter and cupholders was a thoughtful touch.

The 2024 Buick Encore GX retained its previous powertrains, offering choices between front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD). The base Preferred trim housed a 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine producing 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

All trims had the option to upgrade to a 1.3-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine delivering 155 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque, mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. During testing, the turbo engine made the car feel responsive enough, accelerating to 60 mph in about nine seconds. However, there was a noticeable roughness on take-off, and highway passing required firm engagement with the throttle due to a lag in transmission downshifting.

The Encore GX excelled as a city car with its smooth suspension, soaking up rough pavement effortlessly. Its selectable AWD system allowed for manual control, which could help save fuel. However, competitors like the Honda HR-V offered automatic AWD systems that required no driver intervention, making them more user-friendly.

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson came equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine generating 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Power could be routed to front wheels or available AWD.

This powertrain was the only non-hybrid option for the Tucson, which was somewhat disappointing. While sufficient for around-town driving, it required heavy throttle application to achieve highway speeds or execute passing maneuvers, producing substantial engine noise in the process. For more power, the Tucson Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid offered 226 horsepower and 261 horsepower, respectively, along with increased fuel efficiency.

One drawback was the button-style shifter design, which came standard with more powerful versions and the Limited trim for non-hybrid models. Although intuitive, it required an adjustment period and could be less convenient for those sharing the vehicle. However, the Tucson offered a commendable balance of ride comfort and handling, absorbing road bumps while delivering well-weighted and precise steering.

The 2024 Buick Encore GX, being a subcompact SUV, provided limited utility but competitive features. Towing capacity was capped at 1,000 pounds, but the available hands-free liftgate facilitated loading the rear cargo area.

Cargo space measured 23.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 50.2 cubic feet with the seats folded down. Folding the front seat allowed accommodation of items up to eight feet long, ideal for sports equipment like surfboards.

Inside, available heated seats and a heated steering wheel added comfort, though seat ventilation was absent. Standard two-way power-adjustable seats could be upgraded to eight-way adjustable ones on the Avenir trim or via the Comfort package. An optional seven-speaker Bose audio system enhanced the in-cabin experience.

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson outshone many of its competitors with up to 74.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 38.7 cubic feet with the seats in use, only bested by the Honda CR-V's 76.5 cubic feet. All trims except the base SE offered a hands-free power liftgate, making loading more convenient.

Accommodating up to five passengers, the Tucson's cabin provided ample headroom and legroom for adults in both rows, with the front seats offering superior space. The rear seating was generous compared to many compact SUVs, making long trips comfortable for four adults.

Storage solutions included deep cupholders throughout the cabin and a center tray with a standard wireless charging pad, adding convenience and practicality.

The 2024 Buick Encore GX featured an 11-inch touchscreen paired with an 8-inch digital gauge cluster under a single glass panel. Although visually appealing, the display left much unused space, giving the impression of a malfunctioning screen.

The Encore GX provided wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, USB-A and USB-C ports, a wireless charging pad, and an available 120-volt outlet. The rear camera mirror was another notable feature, offering a video feed for a wider rear view.

Simplicity defined the GX's infotainment system, with a home screen featuring basic tiles for smartphone mirroring, climate control, settings, camera views, and a Wi-Fi hotspot.

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson's standard infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, recognized for its straightforward operation. Physical home buttons facilitated ease of use, although the thumb rollers for volume and tuning required some acclimatization.

Higher trims like the SEL Convenience Package, XRT, and Limited offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen and fully digital instrument panel. However, these trims lacked wireless connectivity for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, relying instead on an inconvenient haptic volume toggle.

Hyundai's remote start system evolved for the Tucson, allowing drivers to start the vehicle remotely and seamlessly transition to driving without additional button presses, enhancing convenience.

The 2024 Buick Encore GX came equipped with Buick’s Driver Confidence package as standard, including lane-keeping assist, lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, following distance indicator, and automatic high beams. Blind-spot monitoring was also included on all trims.

Optional features included rear park assist, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and a 360-degree camera. However, the Encore GX lacked adjustable settings for automatic braking sensitivity.

Unique to Buick were the Teen Driver feature, which provided a driving report card for parents, and the Buckle to Drive feature, preventing the car from shifting out of park without the driver’s seatbelt fastened. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the Encore GX a five-star overall safety rating, with five stars in frontal and side crash tests and four stars in rollover evaluations.

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson offered a comprehensive suite of standard driver assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, automatic high beams, driver attention monitoring, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.

The Limited trim added front and rear parking sensors, a 360-degree parking camera system, and Hyundai’s innovative Smart Park remote-parking feature, enabling remote vehicle maneuvering. Also included was a blind-spot camera system that displayed real-time video feeds corresponding to the activated turn signal.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rated the 2024 Tucson highly, with a “Good” rating in most crash tests, “Acceptable” standard headlights, and “Superior” crash-prevention technology. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave it five stars in frontal crash tests and four stars in rollover evaluations.