2024 Buick Encore GX vs 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid

The 2024 Buick Encore GX emerged as one of the most visually appealing models from Buick in recent years. Drawing inspiration from the 2022 Wildcat concept, this refreshed model showcased a completely redesigned front with sleek daytime running lights positioned above the grille and angular LED lamps flanking it. The introduction of a new Buick logo added to its modern appeal. The Avenir-trim test vehicle featured a unique grille and chrome trim, 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 variety of vibrant colors, including brilliant red, deep blue, and Copper Ice Metallic, with options for a contrasting black roof and mirrors. Inside, the relocation of HVAC vents made way for a 19-inch glass panel housing the digital gauge cluster and touchscreen, giving the interior a premium, tech-savvy appearance despite some cheap-feeling plastics.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid, on the other hand, adopted a conservative design approach reminiscent of the previous-generation RAV4. This decision seemed logical 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 overall material quality was decent. The climate system was user-friendly, featuring large temperature-adjustment knobs, but the infotainment interface had a tiny volume knob and lacked a tuning knob. The Grand Highlander Hybrid Max Platinum, in Storm Cloud paint, exuded a sense of understated elegance, though its styling was more about practicality than making a bold statement.

The 2024 Buick Encore GX retained its previous engine options, offering a choice between a 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine with 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, and a 1.3-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 155 horsepower and 174 lb-ft of torque. The base engine was paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), while the turbocharged option came with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Encore GX delivered a responsive driving experience, accelerating to 60 mph in about nine seconds. However, it exhibited some roughness on take-off, and highway passing required patience due to a delay in downshifting. The selectable AWD system allowed drivers to engage all-wheel drive when needed, though 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-liter four-cylinder engine and electronic full-time AWD, generating 362 horsepower. This setup provided impressive acceleration, aided by two electric motors that eliminated turbo lag. The Hybrid Max's six-speed automatic transmission avoided the droning common in CVTs. While the Grand Highlander Hybrid achieved up to 36 mpg combined, the Hybrid Max traded some efficiency for power, with a rating of 27 mpg. It could tow up to 5,000 pounds, surpassing the Grand Highlander Hybrid's capacity. During testing, the Hybrid Max averaged 23.3 mpg on a mountainous route, with an expected 24-25 mpg in typical driving conditions. The Grand Highlander Hybrid Max offered a smooth ride, though it exhibited some vertical bounding and lateral rocking on uneven surfaces. Its handling was secure, but the tires squealed early when pushed around curves.

The 2024 Buick Encore GX, as a subcompact SUV, offered limited utility but remained competitive within its class. It could tow up to 1,000 pounds and featured an available hands-free liftgate for convenient cargo loading. With 23.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 50.2 cubic feet with the seats folded down, the Encore GX accommodated items up to eight feet long. Inside, heated seats and a heated steering wheel were available, though seat ventilation was not. Standard two-way power-adjustable seats could be upgraded to eight-way adjustable seats with the Avenir trim or Comfort package. A seven-speaker Bose audio system was also available.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid excelled in interior space, offering comfortable seating in all three rows and nearly 100 cubic feet of maximum cargo space. However, unlined storage locations contributed to noise and vibration levels. The Platinum-trim test vehicle featured a Portobello interior with leather and artificial suede upholstery, exuding an upscale feel. The front and second-row seats offered heating, ventilation, and supportive cushions. The second-row captain’s chairs, with a removable center console, provided easy access to the third row. The Grand Highlander’s rearmost seats were reasonably comfortable for adults and tall teens, with ample crush space behind them. Cargo space measured 20.6 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 57.9 cubic feet with the third-row seats folded, and a maximum of 97.5 cubic feet 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 glass pane. While visually appealing, the screens left much of the surface unused, creating an impression of malfunction. 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. The infotainment system was straightforward, with tiles for smartphone mirroring, climate control, settings, camera views, and a Wi-Fi hotspot.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid, in LE and XLE trims, featured a 7-inch digital driver display with traditional analog gauges. Higher trims, including Limited, Nightshade, and Platinum, boasted a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel. All Grand Highlanders came with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering 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 a Wi-Fi hotspot, automatic collision notification, SOS emergency response, and a digital voice assistant. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though it lacked the ability to display multiple main-menu screens simultaneously. The digital voice assistant responded accurately to commands, enhancing the overall experience. The Platinum test car included a color head-up display, a camera-based digital rear-view mirror, and a JBL premium audio system.

The 2024 Buick Encore GX came equipped with Buick’s Driver Confidence package, featuring lane-keeping assist, lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, a following distance indicator, and automatic high beams. Blind-spot monitoring was standard across all trims. Additional features like rear park assist, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and a 360-degree camera were optional. The Encore GX included unique safety features such as Teen Driver, which monitored driving habits, and Buckle to Drive, preventing the car from shifting out of park without the driver’s seat belt fastened. The NHTSA awarded the 2024 Encore GX a five-star overall safety rating, with high scores in frontal and side crash tests. 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 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 did not achieve the IIHS Top Safety Pick rating due to Acceptable ratings for headlight performance and small overlap frontal-impact protection.