2023 Toyota Sequoia vs 2023 Buick Encore GX

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia presented a bold and commanding presence, drawing inspiration from the Toyota Tundra pickup truck. Its redesigned exterior featured a traditional grille and front bumper, which distinguished it from the Tundra's "manta ray on wheels" look. Inside, the Sequoia shared an industrial theme with the Tundra, highlighted by leather, wood, and metallic finishes in the upscale Capstone trim. The interior was dominated by a 14-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system, and the Capstone's cream white-over-black two-tone color scheme added a touch of luxury. However, some materials reminded occupants of its pickup truck origins. The Sequoia lineup included various trims, with prices starting at $59,895 for the base SR5 and reaching $79,895 for the Capstone with 4WD. Off-road enthusiasts could opt for the TRD Pro trim or the TRD Off-Road Package for added capability. Our test vehicle, a Sequoia Capstone with 4WD, featured extra-cost Wind Chill Pearl paint and a rear air suspension, bringing the MSRP to $81,365.

In contrast, the 2023 Buick Encore GX departed from Buick's historical design cues, opting for a modern yet somewhat awkward appearance. Its rounded exterior surfaces and tall stance didn't quite capture the high-riding SUV look that attracted buyers to this segment. The optional Sport Touring Package attempted to enhance the design with subtle changes, but the differences were only noticeable when parked next to a standard Encore. Inside, the Encore GX Essence trim offered expected features like leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control, and power-adjustable seats. However, the interior's plastic elements reminded occupants of its position in Buick's model hierarchy. The dashboard and door panels evoked a 1990s design aesthetic, with the instrument cluster being the standout feature. Despite these design choices, the Encore GX maintained good fit and finish, with minimal glare from shiny plastics.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia was equipped with a robust hybrid powertrain, featuring a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, a 10-speed automatic transmission, a 36-kilowatt electric motor/generator, and a 1.87 kilowatt-hour nickel-metal hydride battery pack. This setup delivered an impressive 437 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 583 pound-feet of torque at 2,400 rpm. While it lacked the V8's rumble, the new V6 offered increased towing and payload capacities, with a maximum tow rating of 9,520 pounds and a payload capacity of 1,730 pounds. Fuel efficiency improved significantly, with EPA ratings of 20 mpg for 4WD and 22 mpg for RWD. Our test vehicle averaged 17.8 mpg on a mountainous evaluation loop. The Sequoia's driving modes included Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+, with a Custom mode for personalized settings. The adaptive rear air suspension adjusted ride and handling traits, but the ride quality could be busy and jittery in Normal mode. The steering was slow, and the regenerative braking system felt unresponsive in traffic.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX offered two turbocharged three-cylinder engines: a standard 1.2-liter producing 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, and an optional 1.3-liter engine with 155 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque. FWD models used a CVT, while AWD models featured a nine-speed automatic transmission. Our 1.3-liter AWD test car provided stronger acceleration than expected, but power delivery required patience due to the turbocharger and transmission. The Encore GX excelled in ride comfort and noise reduction, thanks to its well-damped suspension and active noise cancellation. However, it felt ponderous and awkward in most situations, with slow and lifeless steering. The suspension tuning prioritized comfort but allowed significant body roll.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia excelled on open roads, offering a comfortable cabin with soft leather upholstery, a JBL premium sound system, and a triple-zone climate control system. The wide, flat upper door panel shelf provided a convenient resting place for long trips. Power-deploying running boards aided entry and exit, while the panoramic sunroof reduced second-row headroom. The second-row captain's chairs lacked sliding functionality, limiting third-row space. The third-row seat, mounted above the battery pack, offered limited comfort and legroom. Cargo space was compromised by the hybrid powertrain, with only 11.5 cubic feet behind the third row, expandable to 22.3 cubic feet. The adjustable cargo shelf added versatility, but the Sequoia's overall utility was reduced compared to its predecessor.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX offered competitive passenger space, with headroom comparable to rivals like the Hyundai Kona and Mazda CX-30. The Kia Seltos provided more rear legroom and cargo space, but the Encore GX's 23.5 cubic feet with rear seats in place and 50.2 cubic feet with seats folded were respectable. The front seats were positioned close together, affecting spaciousness, and lacked thigh support. Small-item storage was well-executed, with large door pockets and a space-efficient wireless phone charger. Instrumentation was clear and well-placed, with hard buttons for ease of use. However, the absence of a 360-degree camera view button was noted.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia featured a new Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system, with an 8-inch touchscreen on the base SR5 trim and a 14-inch touchscreen on higher trims. The system was intuitive, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Connected services allowed user accounts and a guest mode for privacy. The Drive Connect plan included an Intelligent Assistant for directions, though it occasionally provided incomplete results. The system supported simultaneous Bluetooth pairing, but a bug affected phone call functionality. The Capstone trim included a 10-inch head-up display, though it was difficult to see with polarized sunglasses. A surround-view camera system and digital rearview mirror were standard on higher trims, enhancing safety.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX came with a standard 8-inch touchscreen and 4.2-inch driver information display. Optional features included built-in navigation, a head-up display, wireless phone charging, and an eight-speaker Bose audio system. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with attractive graphics and a well-sized touchscreen. The interface was consistent with other GM vehicles, providing a familiar experience for users.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia came equipped with a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance features, all standard. The Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 package included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and road sign recognition. Additional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services. Front and rear parking sensors with automatic braking were also standard. While crash test ratings were not available, the Sequoia's Tundra platform received high marks from the IIHS.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX offered standard driver-assist features like automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and a Teen Driver system. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, automatic park assist, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross traffic alert. A 360-degree camera system and rearview camera mirror were also available. The Encore GX received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and was an IIHS 2022 Top Safety Pick, with top ratings in crash tests.