Buick Encore GX vs Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid

The 2024 Buick Encore GX emerged as a striking model, drawing inspiration from the 2022 Wildcat concept. This refreshed version boasted a new front design with sleek daytime running lights above the grille and angular LED headlamps positioned lower on either side. The introduction of a new Buick logo added to its modern appeal. The Avenir trim, in particular, featured a unique grille and chrome accents, enhancing its sophisticated look. While the rear design remained largely unchanged from 2023, the addition of new LED tail lights on the top trims added a touch of elegance. The Encore GX offered a range of vibrant colours, including brilliant red, deep blue, maroon, and the distinctive Copper Ice Metallic. The option for a black roof, mirrors, and roof rails on the Sport Touring trim further accentuated its sporty appearance.

Inside, the Encore GX underwent significant changes, most notably the relocation of HVAC vents to accommodate a new 19-inch glass panel housing the digital gauge cluster and touchscreen. This large glass panel lent the interior a premium, tech-savvy look, although some cheap-feeling plastics were present. The interior colour options were limited to black or cream, but the overall design was commendable for its price point. The Encore GX's interior was equipped with standard heated driver and front passenger seats, a heated steering wheel, and an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat. Optional features included a seven-speaker Bose audio system and a moonroof, adding to the vehicle's appeal.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid, on the other hand, adopted a conservative design approach reminiscent of the previous-generation RAV4. This decision made sense given the RAV4's popularity, resulting in a larger version with seating for up to eight and ample cargo space. The Grand Highlander's interior prioritized functionality, with a layer of luxury in the Platinum trim. While glossy hard plastics and unlined storage surfaces were present, the controls were logically laid out with matte black surfaces and white iconography. The climate system was user-friendly, featuring large temperature adjustment knobs, but the infotainment interface had its quirks, such as a small volume knob and the absence of a tuning knob.

The Grand Highlander Platinum Hybrid Max featured a Portobello interior with leather and artificial suede upholstery, exuding a smart and upscale vibe. The front and second-row seats offered heating, ventilation, and supportive cushions. However, the rear doors were long and required ample space for opening, making it challenging to buckle a child into a safety seat. The second-row captain's chairs with a removable centre console provided flexibility for accessing the third row. The rearmost seats were reasonably comfortable for adults and tall teens, with ample crush space for added safety. Cargo space was generous, with 586 litres behind the third row, expanding to 1,640 litres with the third-row seats folded, and a maximum of 2,761 litres with the second row folded.

The 2024 Buick Encore GX retained its powertrain options, offering a 1.3-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine in Canada, delivering 155 horsepower and 174 lb-ft of torque. This engine was paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, providing a responsive driving experience. The Encore GX accelerated to 100 km/h in approximately nine seconds, making it competitive within its segment. However, highway passing required patience, as the transmission was reluctant to downshift promptly. The selectable AWD system allowed drivers to engage all-wheel drive when needed, although competitors offered automatic systems that required no driver intervention.

In contrast, the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max prioritized performance with its turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine and electronic full-time AWD, producing 362 net horsepower. This powertrain delivered impressive acceleration, aided by the electric motors that eliminated turbo lag. The traditional six-speed automatic transmission avoided the droning associated with CVTs. While the Hybrid Max offered a powerful driving experience, it came with a fuel economy trade-off, achieving 8.8 L/100 km combined. During testing, it averaged 9.1 L/100 km on a balanced city and highway route. The Grand Highlander's ride quality was soft and isolating, but undulations in the road could cause vertical bounding and lateral rocking. Handling was secure up to a point, with early tire scrub and squeal when pushed around curves.

The 2024 Buick Encore GX, as a subcompact SUV, offered limited utility but remained competitive within its class. It had a towing capacity of 453 kilograms and featured an available hands-free liftgate for convenient loading. The cargo space measured 665 litres 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 down. Standard features included heated driver and front passenger seats, a heated steering wheel, and an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat. Optional features included a seven-speaker Bose audio system and a moonroof.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid excelled in interior space, offering comfortable seating in all three rows and over 2,700 litres of maximum cargo space. However, unlined storage locations contributed to noise and vibration levels. The Platinum trim featured a Portobello interior with leather and artificial suede upholstery, providing a smart and upscale appearance. The front and second-row seats offered heating, ventilation, and supportive cushions. The second-row captain's chairs with a removable centre console allowed for easy access to the third row. The Grand Highlander provided 586 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 1,640 litres with the third-row seats folded, and a maximum of 2,761 litres with the second row folded.

The 2024 Buick Encore GX featured an 11-inch touchscreen paired with an 8-inch digital gauge cluster, housed under a single pane of glass. While the design looked impressive initially, much of the screen's real estate remained unused, creating a somewhat awkward appearance. The Encore GX offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with USB-A and USB-C ports, a wireless charging pad, and a 120-volt outlet. The available rear camera mirror provided a wider-angle view of the rear surroundings. The infotainment system was straightforward, with easy-to-read tiles for smartphone mirroring, climate control, settings, camera views, and a Wi-Fi hotspot.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid, in XLE trim, featured a 7-inch digital driver display with traditional analog gauges. Limited and Platinum trims offered a more advanced 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel. All Grand Highlanders came with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and access to Apple Music and Amazon Music accounts. Toyota Connected Services plans provided features like automatic collision notification, SOS emergency response, safe teen driver settings, cloud-based navigation, and a digital voice assistant. The infotainment system was user-friendly, although the inability to view multiple main-menu screens simultaneously and the low-contrast font posed challenges. The digital voice assistant responded accurately to various commands, enhancing the overall experience. The Platinum trim included a colour head-up display, a camera-based digital rear-view mirror, and a surround-view camera system. The JBL premium audio system delivered impressive sound quality.

The 2024 Buick Encore GX came equipped with Buick's Driver Confidence package, which included lane-keeping assist, lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, a following distance indicator, and automatic high beams. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on all trims. However, rear park assist, adaptive cruise control, and a 360-degree camera were optional. The Encore GX featured unique safety features like Teen Driver, which allowed parents to monitor their children's driving habits, and Buckle to Drive, which prevented the vehicle from shifting out of park if the driver's seat belt wasn't fastened. The NHTSA awarded the 2024 Encore GX a full five-star overall safety rating, with five stars for frontal and side crash ratings and four stars for rollover. The 2023 model received Good ratings for crashworthiness and Superior ratings for front crash prevention from the IIHS.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, offering a comprehensive suite of standard safety features and driver assistance technologies. The system included lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and Proactive Driving Assist (PDA), which automatically braked and steered to maintain safe distances. While the safety tech operated accurately, the PDA system was found to be irritating and was often turned off. The Grand Highlander received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA but fell short of the IIHS Top Safety Pick rating due to "Acceptable" ratings for headlight performance and small overlap frontal-impact protection.