2024 Buick Encore GX vs 2023 Nissan Rogue

The 2023 Nissan Rogue was a testament to the brand's commitment to maintaining a classic yet appealing design. With its well-proportioned and chiseled styling, the Rogue exuded a rugged sense of purpose that was both attractive and practical. The vehicle's design choices were critical, as aesthetics play a significant role in consumer decisions. The Rogue's lineup included various trims, with the Platinum trim offering upscale features like diamond-pattern leather seats and a host of other premium touches, making it a compelling choice for those seeking a blend of style and functionality.

In contrast, the 2024 Buick Encore GX drew inspiration from the Wildcat concept, presenting a refreshed and striking appearance. The new front fascia, complete with sleek daytime running lights and angular LED headlamps, gave the Encore GX a modern and sophisticated look. The Avenir trim added unique grille designs and chrome accents, enhancing its visual appeal. The Encore GX also offered a vibrant palette of colours, including options like Copper Ice Metallic, which allowed for personalization and a touch of flair. The interior featured a new 19-inch glass panel for the digital gauge cluster and touchscreen, adding a premium, tech-forward aesthetic.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue featured a turbocharged 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine with a variable compression design, delivering 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque. This engine, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), provided a responsive driving experience in urban settings, though it lacked passing power on highways. The Rogue offered multiple driving modes, including Eco, Auto, and Sport, with AWD versions adding Off-Road and Snow modes. Despite some engine noise and vibration, the Rogue's ride quality was enhanced by Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control, ensuring a smooth and composed drive over various terrains.

The 2024 Buick Encore GX retained its 1.3-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine, producing 155 horsepower and 174 lb-ft of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. While not the quickest in its class, the Encore GX offered a responsive city driving experience, though highway passing required patience due to transmission delays. The selectable AWD system allowed for fuel-saving FWD operation, though competitors offered more seamless AWD engagement. The Encore GX's suspension provided a smooth ride over rough surfaces, making it a comfortable choice for urban environments.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue offered a spacious interior, accommodating four adults comfortably, with the option to squeeze in a fifth passenger. The Platinum trim featured premium leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a panoramic sunroof. The Rogue's Zero Gravity seats provided excellent comfort, though rear seat comfort was less impressive. The cargo area offered up to 1,028 litres of space, expandable to 2,064 litres with the rear seats folded, and included the versatile Divide-N-Hide feature for customizable storage solutions.

The 2024 Buick Encore GX, as a subcompact SUV, provided 665 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 1,422 litres with the seats folded. The Encore GX could accommodate items up to eight feet long with the front seat folded. Standard features included heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, with options for a Bose audio system and a moonroof. While not as spacious as the Rogue, the Encore GX offered practical utility for its class.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue featured an older infotainment system with an 8-inch or 9-inch touchscreen, offering wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, and a Bose audio system. The voice recognition system had limitations, struggling with specific requests. The Rogue also included a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a head-up display, enhancing the driving experience with clear information presentation.

The 2024 Buick Encore GX boasted an 11-inch touchscreen paired with an 8-inch digital gauge cluster, though much of the screen space was unused. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with USB ports and a wireless charging pad available. The Encore GX's infotainment system was straightforward, focusing on essential features like smartphone mirroring and climate control, appealing to those who prefer simplicity.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue came equipped with Safety Shield 360, offering a comprehensive suite of driver assistance features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. Higher trims added ProPilot Assist with Navi-link, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centring assistance. The Rogue earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though it received lower scores in specific crash tests.

The 2024 Buick Encore GX included the Driver Confidence package, featuring lane-keeping assist, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. Additional safety features like adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera were optional. The Encore GX offered unique features like Teen Driver and Buckle to Drive, enhancing safety for young drivers. The NHTSA awarded the Encore GX a five-star overall safety rating, though IIHS ratings for the 2024 model were not yet available.