2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vs 2023 Buick Encore GX

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid borrowed styling cues from the Tacoma pickup, featuring a trapezoidal grille and upright fascia that gave it a rugged appearance. However, its side profile introduced a swooping character line over the rear wheel arch, reminiscent of the Toyota Supra and Sienna, which added unnecessary visual weight. The rear design echoed the front grille, but the overall look felt disjointed compared to more cohesive designs like the Kia Telluride or Honda Pilot. Inside, the Highlander Hybrid's asymmetrical dash was less jarring, with a metallic styling element that spanned the passenger side, creating a helpful storage tray. The infotainment touchscreen was positioned high on the dash, reducing driver distraction.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX, however, did not reflect Buick's historical design prowess. Its rounded exterior and tall stance resulted in awkward proportions that failed to convey the SUV appeal. The Sport Touring Package attempted to enhance its look with subtle changes, but the differences were barely noticeable. Inside, the Encore GX Essence trim offered leather upholstery and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, but the abundance of plastic reminded occupants of its entry-level status. The dashboard and door panels had a blob-like design reminiscent of 1990s cars, though the instrument cluster with its outward-pointing binnacles was a notable feature.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid was powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and hybrid system, producing 243 horsepower. It featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and standard all-wheel drive, with an electric motor powering the rear axle. Toyota estimated a 0-100 km/h time of just over eight seconds. The hybrid powertrain provided a quick but tepid initial response, with the gasoline engine taking over to maintain speed. The CVT's uninspired drone was noticeable during heavy acceleration, especially uphill. The Highlander Hybrid offered a soft ride, with a suspension that smoothed over bumps while maintaining adequate cornering confidence. The cabin remained quiet on highways, barring engine noise during demanding driving.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX in Canada came with a 1.3-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine, producing 155 horsepower and 174 lb-ft of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Encore GX's acceleration felt stronger than its specs suggested, but power delivery was not smooth, requiring patience. The ride was comfortable, with a well-damped suspension that absorbed road imperfections. Buick's Quiet Tuning package, including active noise cancellation, enhanced the cabin's serenity during highway drives. However, the Encore GX felt ponderous and awkward, with slow and lifeless steering and significant body roll due to its comfort-focused suspension.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid offered well-cushioned front seats with ample adjustments, though the driver's door armrest was awkwardly positioned. Storage was plentiful, with trays, a large centre armrest bin, and door pockets. The second-row seats were spacious, accommodating tall passengers with ease, and offered sliding and reclining capabilities. The third row was less accommodating, suitable for children or short trips for smaller adults. Cargo space behind the third row was 453 litres, expanding to 1,370 litres with the seats folded, and 2,387 litres with the second row stowed.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX provided competitive passenger space, with headroom comparable to rivals like the Hyundai Kona and Mazda CX-30. However, the front seats were positioned close together, reducing spaciousness, and lacked thigh support. Cargo capacity was 665 litres with rear seats in place, expanding to 1,422 litres with them folded. Despite limited cabin size, Buick maximized small-item storage with large door pockets and a space-efficient wireless charging pad. Instrumentation was well-executed, with clear notifications and an array of hard buttons for ease of use.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, with a 12.3-inch option on top trims. The system was responsive, with logical menus and physical shortcut buttons. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with wireless charging on higher trims. Limited and Platinum trims included navigation and an 11-speaker JBL audio system.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX came with a standard 8-inch touchscreen and 4.2-inch driver information display. Optional features included navigation, a head-up display, and an eight-speaker Bose audio system. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and SiriusXM were standard. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with appealing graphics, and the 8-inch screen size was adequate for the dashboard design.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid received a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA and was an IIHS Top Safety Pick+. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitor, and rear cross-traffic alert. The adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist required fine-tuning, with abrupt stops and steering resistance noted.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX also earned a five-star NHTSA rating and was an IIHS Top Safety Pick. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, and a Teen Driver system. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, and a 360-degree camera system. The rearview camera mirror provided a clearer view by eliminating blind spots.