2023 Buick Encore GX vs 2024 Kia Seltos

The 2023 Buick Encore GX did not reflect Buick's storied design history, such as the iconic 1938 Y-Job. Its styling was a departure from the past without forging a new path, resulting in awkward proportions that failed to capture the SUV appeal. The optional Sport Touring Package added subtle enhancements like different bumpers and a black mesh grille, but these 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 us of its entry-level status within Buick's lineup. The fit and finish were commendable, yet the interior design felt uninspired, reminiscent of outdated 1990s aesthetics. The instrument cluster, however, stood out with its well-framed digital display.

In contrast, the 2024 Kia Seltos received a mid-cycle refresh that included updated headlights, grille designs, and a connecting light strip between the taillights, giving it a refreshed appearance. The new "Pluton Blue" paint added a sharp look to our test model. Inside, the Seltos introduced a large digital panel spanning two-thirds of the dash, featuring a fully digital instrument panel and a larger touchscreen infotainment system. The interior offered a new Gentle Brown colour option, though our test model had the standard black interior. The Seltos provided a range of trims, each adding more features, from the base LX with essentials like heated front seats and an 8-inch touchscreen, to the top-tier X-Line with unique styling tweaks and advanced features like a Bose premium stereo system.

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. Despite its modest specs, the Encore GX felt stronger than expected, though power delivery was not smooth due to the turbocharger and transmission setup. The ride was comfortable, with a quiet cabin thanks to Buick's Quiet Tuning package, but the driving experience was marred by slow steering and significant body roll, making it feel ponderous.

The 2024 Kia Seltos offered two engine options: a base 2.0-litre four-cylinder with 146 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, and a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder with 195 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. The latter, paired with a new eight-speed automatic transmission, provided noticeable acceleration improvements. The Seltos handled well, with responsive steering and minimal body roll, even on rough roads. The turbocharged engine's acceleration was decent, especially in Sport mode, and the vehicle managed highway speeds and passing maneuvers with ease. The Seltos also offered various drive modes to adapt to different driving conditions.

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 legroom and cargo space. The Encore GX had 665 litres of cargo capacity with the rear seats up 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 Kia Seltos excelled in cargo space, offering up to 1,778 litres with the rear seats folded and 753 litres with them in use. A hands-free power liftgate was standard from the EX Premium trim. The Seltos provided an upright seating position with ample headroom and rear legroom, accommodating taller occupants comfortably. The front seating area featured decently sized in-door cupholders and cubbies, while the centre console offered a small tray for essentials. A removable cargo cover was standard from the EX Premium trim.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX featured a standard 8-inch touchscreen and a 4.2-inch driver information display, with optional upgrades like a built-in navigation system, head-up display, and an eight-speaker Bose audio system. Standard tech 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 surpassed many competitors, though the screen size was modest by current standards.

The 2024 Kia Seltos offered a consistent digital bezel across trims, with screen sizes varying by trim. The base system included an 8-inch touchscreen and a 4.2-inch digital screen, while upper trims upgraded to a 10.25-inch fully digital instrument panel and touchscreen. The infotainment system was logically laid out, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto included. The Seltos retained tactile controls for volume and climate, and the larger screen was responsive and well-sized. Most trims featured a six-speaker stereo, with the SX and X-Line offering an upgraded eight-speaker Bose system. The Seltos also offered Digital Key 2 Touch for smartphone-based access.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX came with standard driver assistance features like automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, and lane departure warning. 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, though it had an "Average" score for child-seat anchor ease of use.

The 2024 Kia Seltos offered standard safety features such as forward collision avoidance assist, lane keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims added smart adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, and highway driving assist. The Seltos also included a drive-away warning to alert distracted drivers when traffic moves.