2024 Buick Encore GX vs 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid

The 2024 Buick Encore GX was a striking addition to Buick's lineup, drawing inspiration from the 2022 Wildcat concept. This refreshed model boasted a new front design with sleek daytime running lights positioned above the grille, complemented by angular LED lamps on either side. The Avenir trim featured a unique grille and chrome accents, enhancing its sophisticated appearance. While the rear design remained largely unchanged from the previous year, the top trims received new LED tail lights. The Encore GX offered a range of vibrant colors, including red, blue, maroon, and the distinctive Copper Ice Metallic, with options for a contrasting black roof and mirrors. Inside, the most notable update was the relocation of HVAC vents to accommodate a 19-inch glass panel housing the digital gauge cluster and touchscreen, lending a premium, tech-savvy look despite some cheap-feeling plastics.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid presented a bold design that divided opinions, particularly with its flat, wide grille. The vehicle's personality shifted with different colors and trims, with body-colored vertical strakes adding to its unique appearance. The X-Line and X-Pro models replaced these strakes with rectangular grille blocks and featured distinctive amber accent lights. The side profile showcased angular fender sculpting and black plastic tabs atop each wheel well, while the rear design, with rounded corners and vertical taillights, drew comparisons to a Range Rover. Inside, the Telluride's interior was less controversial, featuring a simple horizontal dashboard layout and a modern, buttonless appearance. The Hybrid SX Prestige trim offered a luxurious two-tone palette, though the silver buttons and cream-colored infotainment shortcuts were challenging to read. The seats, covered in synthetic leather and suede, provided comfort, though the cushions were somewhat firm for long drives.

The 2024 Buick Encore GX retained its previous engine options, offering a 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine with 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). An upgrade to a 1.3-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine delivered 155 horsepower and 174 lb-ft of torque, coupled with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The turbocharged engine provided responsive acceleration, reaching 60 mph in about nine seconds, though highway passing required patience due to a delay in downshifting. The Encore GX excelled as a city car with a smooth suspension and a selectable AWD system, allowing drivers to engage AWD when needed, though competitors offered automatic systems.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid featured a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 274 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Hybrid model added electric motors and a 1.65-kWh battery pack, increasing output to 329 horsepower and 339 lb-ft of torque, with a six-speed transmission. The Telluride Hybrid delivered ample power and a quiet ride, with seamless transitions between electric and gas modes. The X-Pro Prestige trim excelled off-road, while the Hybrid SX Prestige offered a stiffer ride with its 20-inch wheels. The Telluride's suspension provided a smooth ride, and the vehicle remained composed on winding roads, though the brake pedal required some adjustment.

The 2024 Buick Encore GX, as a subcompact SUV, offered limited utility but aligned with its competitors. It could tow up to 1,000 pounds and featured an available hands-free liftgate. The cargo space measured 23.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 50.2 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The interior offered heated seats and a heated steering wheel, though seat ventilation was unavailable. 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 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid provided ample space for adults in all three rows, though the rear seats were better suited for smaller passengers due to low-mounted cushions. The Hybrid SX Prestige trim featured power-adjustable second-row seats with heating and ventilation, offering comfort comparable to business-class airline seats. The middle-row seats allowed for flexible cargo and legroom adjustments, with captain's chairs standard on most models. The Telluride offered 22.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 48.7 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Hybrid models lost only about one cubic foot of cargo space. Properly equipped, the Telluride could tow up to 5,000 pounds (4,500 for the Hybrid).

The 2024 Buick Encore GX featured an 11-inch touchscreen paired with an 8-inch digital gauge cluster under one glass pane. While visually appealing, the screens left much unused space, creating a sense of malfunction. The Encore GX offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, USB-A and USB-C ports, a wireless charging pad, and a 120-volt outlet. The infotainment system was simple, with tiles for smartphone mirroring, climate control, settings, camera views, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. An available rear camera mirror provided a wider-angle view.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid came equipped with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a 5-inch climate control touchscreen. The infotainment system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, dual wireless phone chargers, and a native navigation system. The system was user-friendly, though it required firm taps and had occasional delays. The climate control screen was challenging to use while driving, but physical temperature control buttons were available. The Telluride offered customizable infotainment themes and a 14-speaker Meridian premium audio system on higher trims.

The 2024 Buick Encore GX came standard with the Driver Confidence package, including lane-keeping assist, lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, a following distance indicator, and automatic high beams. Blind-spot monitoring was also standard, while rear park assist, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and a 360-degree camera were optional. Unique safety features included Teen Driver and Buckle to Drive. The NHTSA awarded the Encore GX a five-star overall safety rating, while the 2023 model received high marks from the IIHS.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid included standard advanced safety features such as frontal collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, parking proximity sensors, highway driving assist, and rear passenger sensors. Higher trims offered additional features like a surround-view camera system and automatic reverse braking. The driver attention monitor had operational issues, but the highway driving assist was effective on long trips. At the time of writing, crash test scores from the NHTSA and IIHS were unavailable.