2024 Hyundai Kona vs 2023 Buick Encore GX

The 2023 Buick Encore GX departed from Buick's storied design history, presenting a style that didn't echo its past nor forge a new path. Its rounded exterior and tall stance resulted in awkward proportions that failed to capture the SUV appeal that many buyers sought. Even with the Sport Touring Package, which added subtle enhancements like different bumpers and a black mesh grille, the 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, harkened back to less appealing aspects of 1990s automotive design, though the instrument cluster stood out with its well-framed digital display.

In contrast, the 2024 Hyundai Kona showcased a design that embraced its electric vehicle roots, evident in its grille and the seamless horizon LED headlight. Despite its increased size, the Kona maintained a recognizable silhouette, with new design elements like the creased "parametric surface" on the doors and more substantial body cladding. The Kona's exterior was further enhanced by standard LED lighting and a rear taillight that spanned the vehicle's width. Inside, the Kona's cabin was updated with a driver-oriented centre stack and a relocated gear shift, creating more space. The most striking update was the curved display housing both driver-information and infotainment screens, complemented by revised vents and controls.

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. While the engine delivered a pleasant note, its power delivery was not smooth, requiring patience to get the most out of it. The Encore GX excelled in ride comfort and noise reduction, thanks to its well-damped suspension and active noise cancellation. However, its driving experience was marred by ponderous handling and significant body roll, with slow and lifeless steering.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona retained its predecessor's engine lineup, featuring a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque for the Essential and Preferred trims, and a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine with 190 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque for the N Line. The turbo engine was paired with a new 8-speed automatic transmission, offering paddle shifters for the N Line. The Kona's handling was nimble, with intuitive steering, though acceleration was slightly sluggish even with the turbo. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available for an additional cost on certain trims. Fuel economy varied depending on the drivetrain, with the N Line AWD consuming 9.7 L/100 km in the city.

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. The Encore GX's cargo capacity was respectable, with 665 litres with the rear seats up and 1,422 litres with them folded, surpassing the Kona and CX-30. Despite its limited cabin size, the Encore GX featured ample small-item storage, including large door pockets and a space-efficient wireless charging pad. The instrumentation was well-executed, with clear notifications and an array of hard buttons for ease of use.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona benefited from its increased length, offering 970 mm of rear-seat legroom and improved headroom. Its cargo capacity expanded significantly to 723 litres with the rear seats up and 1,803 litres with them folded, providing over 500 litres more space than the previous generation. The cabin featured a handy shelf on the passenger's side of the dash and a wireless charging pad with a "guardrail" to keep phones in place. The Kona's seating options included cloth, leatherette, and a leather/suede combination, with ventilated front seats available on the N Line with the Ultimate package. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel were standard in Canada.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX came with a standard 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. Standard connectivity included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with graphics that were visually appealing, though the screen size was smaller than some competitors.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona introduced a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment display across the lineup, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto available on all trims except the N Line with the Ultimate package. The Kona's upgraded stereo system was provided by Bose, and it featured dual 12.3-inch displays in the N Line for a panoramic view. OTA update capability was standard, and Hyundai's Bluelink connected services and a digital key feature were included for the first time in Canada.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX offered standard driver assistance features like automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, and lane keep assist. Additional features like adaptive cruise control and blind spot monitoring were available as options. The Encore GX received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and was an IIHS 2022 Top Safety Pick, though it had an "Average" score for child-seat anchor ease of use.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona came with standard safety features like Safe Exit Warning, blind-spot collision avoidance, and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance. High-beam assist and adaptive cruise control were standard from the Preferred trim, with additional features like Surround View Monitor available in the N Line's Ultimate package. Hyundai's Highway Driving Assist suite impressed with its smooth lane-keep assist, providing a semi-autonomous driving experience.