2023 Buick Encore GX vs 2024 Ford Escape

The 2023 Buick Encore GX departed from Buick's storied design history, presenting a style that neither embraced retro elements nor ventured into new territory. Its rounded exterior and tall stance resulted in awkward proportions that failed to capture the SUV appeal that has drawn many buyers to this segment. Even with the optional Sport Touring Package, which included subtle enhancements like a black mesh grille with red inserts and 18-inch wheels, the Encore GX's design changes were barely noticeable unless compared directly to a standard model. Inside, the Encore GX Essence trim offered expected features like leather upholstery and dual-zone climate control, but the abundance of plastic reminded drivers of its position at the lower end of Buick's lineup. The interior design, with its blob-like dashboard and door panels, evoked memories of less appealing 1990s automotive styles, though the instrument cluster stood out with its well-framed digital display.

In contrast, the 2024 Ford Escape received a significant facelift in 2023, which carried over into the 2024 model, making it more appealing with a new aggressive front-end design. The rest of the SUV maintained a soft, generic look. The Escape was available in several trims, including the sporty ST-Line Elite, which featured black 19-inch wheels and a Panoramic Vista Roof. The interior of the ST-Line Elite trim, while initially appearing upscale with diamond-stitched leather, was marred by excessively glossy surfaces and stiff upholstery. Despite these drawbacks, the Escape offered a comfortable and isolated driving experience, making it suitable for daily commutes and errands. However, the sporty appearance did not translate into sporty driving dynamics, as the ride was soft and compliant, with handling that allowed for too much body motion.

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 and standard all-wheel drive. The engine delivered stronger acceleration than expected, but power delivery was not smooth, requiring a patient driving style. The Encore GX excelled in ride comfort and noise reduction, thanks to its well-damped suspension and active noise cancellation. However, it felt ponderous and awkward, with slow and lifeless steering and significant body roll.

The 2024 Ford Escape ST-Line Elite offered a choice between a 192-horsepower hybrid powertrain and a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. Our test vehicle featured the turbo engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The Escape's turbo engine provided quick acceleration, but the driving dynamics did not match the sporty promise of the ST badge. The ride was soft, and the handling allowed for unwanted body motion. The Escape's brake pedal was responsive, but the steering felt sluggish and numb. The turbo engine's fuel economy fell short of expectations, averaging 9.8 L/100 km during testing.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX offered competitive passenger space, with headroom comparable to rivals like the Hyundai Kona and Mazda CX-30. However, the Subaru Crosstrek provided more front legroom, and the Kia Seltos offered more rear-seat space and cargo capacity. The Encore GX's cargo space measured 665 litres with the rear seats in place and 1,422 litres with them folded. The front seats were positioned close together, reducing the sense of spaciousness, and lacked thigh support. Despite the limited cabin size, Buick made efficient use of space for small-item storage, with large door pockets and a space-efficient wireless charging pad.

The 2024 Ford Escape ST-Line featured a black interior with cloth inserts and artificial leather bolsters, accented by red stitching. Leather seats were optional but not recommended due to their uncomfortable feel. The Escape's front seats were large and supportive, with a height-adjustable front passenger seat. The rear seat was comfortable when slid to its rearmost position, and the Escape offered easy access through all four doors. Interior storage was generous in the front, but rear passengers had fewer accommodations. Cargo volume measured 1,061 litres behind the back seat and 1,852 litres with the rear seat folded. The test vehicle included deep storage areas and a grocery bag hook in the cargo area.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen and a 4.2-inch driver information display, with optional features like built-in navigation, a head-up display, and a Bose audio system. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and SiriusXM satellite radio were standard. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with graphics that surpassed many competitors, despite the relatively small screen size.

The 2024 Ford Escape featured digital instrumentation, with lower trims having an 8-inch display and upper trims, like the ST-Line Elite, boasting a 12.3-inch display. The standout feature was the 13.2-inch Sync 4 infotainment system, presented in a landscape format with an intuitive layout. However, the colour theme and thin fonts made the display appear washed out. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and FordPass Connect services. The test vehicle had a Bang & Olufsen sound system, but the speakers were damaged. The Sync 4 system experienced lag, and the wireless charger overheated phones. The optional head-up display projected data onto a clear plastic piece, and Active Park Assist 2.0 provided semi-autonomous parking assistance.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX came with standard driver assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, and a Teen Driver system. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, automatic park assist, blind spot monitoring, and a 360-degree camera system. The Encore GX received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and was an IIHS 2022 Top Safety Pick, with top "Good" ratings in crash tests.

The 2024 Ford Escape included a standard post-collision automatic braking system and the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of driving assistance systems. Features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The lane-keeping systems were inconsistent, and the predictive speed assist was overly cautious. On highways, the Co-Pilot360 technology performed better. The Escape received five-star ratings from the NHTSA, except for a four-star rollover resistance rating.