2024 Toyota Sequoia vs 2023 Buick Encore GX

The 2023 Buick Encore GX departed from Buick's storied design history, presenting a styling that didn't echo the brand's past nor forge a new path. Its rounded exterior and tall stance resulted in awkward proportions that failed to capture the SUV allure that has drawn many buyers to this segment. Even with the optional 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 power-adjustable seats, but the abundance of plastic reminded us of its position at the lower end of Buick's lineup. While fit and finish were commendable, the interior design felt uninspired, reminiscent of less appealing 1990s automotive styles.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota Sequoia shared its platform and several design cues with the Tundra pickup, such as hexagonal grilles and muscular stances. The exterior's appearance varied significantly with colour choice, with our Capstone model in Celestial Silver appearing somewhat dated. Inside, the Sequoia mirrored the Tundra's blocky, geometric dashboard design, featuring physical dials and buttons for climate control. The Capstone trim boasted semi-aniline leather upholstery, while other trims offered SofTex leatherette or standard leather. The Sequoia's interior was spacious, with power-adjustable seats across all trims, and a power-tilt and -slide moonroof standard on higher trims. Despite its size, the Sequoia's interior design was cohesive and functional, aligning with Toyota's contemporary vehicle aesthetics.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX in Canada came equipped 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's performance felt stronger than its specs suggested, though power delivery was not smooth, requiring patience to get the most out of it. The ride was comfortable, with a quiet cabin thanks to Buick's Quiet Tuning package, but the driving experience was marred by ponderous handling and significant body roll, making it feel awkward in various situations.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia, exclusively available as a hybrid, featured the iForce MAX hybrid powertrain, combining a twin-turbo V6 engine with an electric motor. This setup delivered 427 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque, a significant increase over its predecessor. The Sequoia's fuel economy improved to 11.7 L/100 km combined with 4WD. Standard 4WD in Canada included a selector for 4Hi, 4Lo, and 2WD, with TRD Pro models adding a skid plate. The 10-speed automatic transmission operated smoothly, and the Sequoia's on-road handling was adequate for its class. The SR5 TRD Off-Road model offered adventure-readiness with unique tires and off-road suspension. The Sequoia's towing capacity reached 4,137 kilograms, with available towing-related upgrades enhancing its capabilities.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX offered competitive passenger space, with headroom comparable to rivals like the Hyundai Kona and Mazda CX-30. However, the Kia Seltos provided more rear legroom and cargo space. The Encore GX's cargo capacity was 665 litres with rear seats in place and 1,422 litres with them folded. The front seats were positioned close together, reducing spaciousness, and lacked thigh support. 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 information conveyance and an array of hard buttons for ease of use.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia offered a maximum of 2,460 litres of cargo space with both second- and third-row seats folded. Behind the second row, it provided 1,387 litres, and behind the third row, 325 to 631 litres, depending on seat position. The second-row seats were easy to move for third-row access, but folding the third-row seats did not create a flat load floor due to the hybrid powertrain's battery pack. Headroom was reduced by 7.5 centimetres, affecting rear-seat comfort. Legroom varied across rows, with the Sequoia trailing some rivals but surpassing others like the Jeep Wagoneer. Second-row captain's chairs were available on higher trims, offering width but lacking bolstering.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX featured a standard 8-inch touchscreen and 4.2-inch driver information display, with optional navigation, head-up display, and Bose audio system. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi hotspot, and SiriusXM were standard, with two front USB ports but none for rear passengers. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with appealing graphics, though the screen size was modest by current standards.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia's Capstone trim was equipped with a 14-inch centre touchscreen, standard on all but the SR5 trim, which had an 8-inch screen. The Toyota Audio Multimedia system prioritized functionality over flashiness. A full-colour 12.3-inch driver information display was standard across all trims, with a Panoramic View monitor on higher trims. The 10-inch head-up display was standard on Capstone, and a 14-speaker JBL Premium Audio system was available on Limited and standard on Platinum and Capstone.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX included standard driver assistance features like automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, and lane keep assist. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, 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 child-seat anchor ease of use was rated lower.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia came with the Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 suite standard, including pre-collision system, lane-departure alert, and adaptive cruise control. Front and rear parking sensors with automatic braking and blind-spot monitoring were also standard. The only optional driver aid was a trailer backup guide with Straight-Path Assist on higher trims. The Sequoia had not been rated by IIHS or NHTSA, but the similar Tundra earned a Top Safety Pick+ designation.