2023 Buick Encore GX vs 2024 Mazda CX-30

Buick had a storied history of great designs, dating back to the 1938 Y-Job, often considered the first concept car. However, none of that legacy was evident in the 2023 Encore GX’s styling. Buick designers seemed hesitant to revisit retro styling cues like the brand’s once-famous portholes, resulting in a design that neither honored the past nor ventured into new territory. The rounded exterior surfaces and tall stance gave the Encore GX awkward proportions that failed to convey the high-riding SUV look that had become popular in the market. Even with the optional Sport Touring Package, which added different front and rear bumpers, a black mesh grille with red inserts, rocker and body-side moldings, and 18-inch wheels, the changes were subtle and barely noticeable unless parked next to a standard Encore.

Inside, the Encore GX Essence trim offered expected features like leather upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, and power-adjustable front seats. However, the abundance of plastic bits reminded us that even the fanciest Encore GX was still at the bottom of Buick’s model hierarchy. While fit and finish were commendable, the interior design was uninspired, with a blob-like dashboard and door panels reminiscent of 1990s automotive design. The instrument cluster, featuring two round binnacles with outward-pointing housings framing a small digital display, was the one memorable feature.

The 2024 Mazda CX-30, on the other hand, aimed to ensure it wasn’t mistaken for a car by coating the lower portions of the body in excessive charcoal-colored plastic. Despite this, the CX-30 was appealing overall, with short overhangs, a long and low hood, dramatically sculpted flanks, a squat greenhouse, and a rakish roofline. Black wheels added to its sporty appearance. Inside, the CX-30’s interior looked and felt like a class above, demonstrating style, refinement, and attention to detail on par with an entry-level luxury-branded SUV. The gauges were clear, the infotainment screen was integrated into the dashboard, and the dual-zone climate controls were a work of art.

The CX-30 offered eight versions, with the 2.5 S models featuring a 191-horsepower four-cylinder engine and the 2.5 Turbo models boasting a turbocharged four-cylinder engine with up to 250 hp. Prices ranged from $24,995 to $36,800, plus a destination charge of $1,420. Our test car, the 2.5 Carbon Turbo trim, came in an exclusive Zircon Sand paint over Terracotta and Black interior upholstery. The exterior color provoked love-it-or-hate-it reactions, but we found it worked better on SUVs than on Mazda’s MX-5 Miata sports car. The test model’s MSRP was $34,210, including destination.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX offered two turbocharged three-cylinder engines shared with its Chevy Trailblazer platform-mate. The standard 1.2-liter turbo-three produced 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, while the optional 1.3-liter engine made 155 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque. Front-wheel drive (FWD) was standard, with all-wheel drive (AWD) optional for the 1.3-liter engine. Buick employed different transmissions for the FWD and AWD drivetrains. Both the 1.2-liter and 1.3-liter FWD models used a continuously variable transmission (CVT), while AWD models got a nine-speed automatic transmission.

Our 1.3-liter AWD test car’s acceleration felt stronger than the specs suggested, with a pleasant engine note. However, power delivery wasn’t smooth, requiring patience to get the most out of the engine. The nine-speed automatic transmission could be caught several gears too high, making manual shifting less ideal. The Encore GX excelled in ride comfort and noise reduction, thanks to its well-damped suspension and standard active noise cancellation. However, the driving experience was less impressive, with slow and lifeless steering and significant body roll.

The 2024 Mazda CX-30, equipped with a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, had no trouble with acceleration. Despite its 250 hp and 320 pound-feet of torque (227 hp and 310 lb-ft on regular gas), the CX-30 didn’t leap forward when the accelerator pedal was stomped. The torque arrived no sooner than 2,000 rpm, and Mazda tuned the powertrain response for a slow build, resulting in a smooth power delivery. The traditional six-speed automatic transmission shifted flawlessly, and the standard AWD system distributed power to all four wheels.

Fuel economy was a downside for the turbocharged engine, with the EPA rating it at 25 mpg in combined driving. Our test route yielded 21.3 mpg, and the small 12.7-gallon fuel tank limited the range to about 270 miles. The CX-30 was fun to drive, with a zippy and nimble feel, firm and connected ride, and excellent outward visibility. The newly standard blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert systems were helpful. The CX-30 handled back roads with enthusiasm and competence, though it felt a bit soft and squishy on narrow and winding roads. With standard AWD, an Off-Road traction assist setting, and eight inches of ground clearance, the CX-30 could handle more challenging trails than some competitors.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX offered competitive passenger space, with headroom in both rows within an inch of rivals like the Hyundai Kona, Mazda CX-30, and Subaru Crosstrek. The Subaru offered more front legroom, while the Kia Seltos provided more room for back-seat passengers. The Seltos also had more cargo space, but the Encore GX’s 23.5 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 50.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded was respectable for the segment.

However, the front seats were placed far inboard, squeezing the driver and front passenger close together and eroding any feeling of spaciousness. The front seats lacked thigh support, making them less comfortable. Buick made good use of available space for small-item storage, with large door pockets and a center-console tray. The available wireless phone charger was space-efficient, and instrumentation was well-executed, with clear information conveyance. However, the lack of a hard button for the 360-degree camera view was a drawback.

The 2024 Mazda CX-30’s interior featured deft design, quality materials, and logical controls. The three-gauge, partial digital instrumentation was among our favorites, and the traditional PRNDL shifter was easy to operate. Gloss black trim, metallic accents, and exposed stitching added contrast to the cabin, and the test vehicle’s Terracotta leather seats with simulated Black suede inserts added a splash of color.

Interior room was cramped, especially in the back seat, but the driver and front passenger were comfortable. The CX-30’s high ground clearance made getting in and out easier than with a Mazda 3 hatchback. The power-adjustable driver’s seat made it easy to find a perfect position behind the steering wheel, and both front seats were heated. Storage space was adequate, with a flexible cargo hold offering 20.2 cubic feet behind the back seat and 45.2 cubic feet with the back seat folded.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX came with a standard 8-inch touchscreen and a 4.2-inch driver information display instrument-cluster screen. A built-in navigation system, head-up display, wireless phone charging, and an eight-speaker Bose audio system were optional. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Two front USB ports were included, but back-seat passengers didn’t get any.

The infotainment system interface was similar to other recent GM vehicles, with easy-to-use graphics and menu layouts. The 8-inch touchscreen was small by current standards but didn’t cause any problems, and a larger screen wouldn’t have fit aesthetically into the dashboard.

Turbocharged versions of the 2024 Mazda CX-30 got a new 10.25-inch infotainment display, replacing the standard 8.8-inch display in other models. This larger system provided touchscreen functionality when using smartphone mirroring platforms like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, the screen was located far from the driver and front passenger, making it less convenient.

All CX-30s had a complimentary three-year subscription to Mazda Connected Services and a free three-month, 2-gigabyte trial to in-vehicle Wi-Fi. New USB-C ports provided connectivity for the latest devices, and more expensive versions had a wireless smartphone charger and a Bose premium audio system.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX came with standard driver assist features, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, 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, rear cross traffic alert, a 360-degree camera system, and a rearview camera mirror.

The Encore GX was an IIHS 2022 Top Safety Pick and received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in frontal and side crash tests and four stars in the rollover category.

The 2024 Mazda CX-30 gained new standard safety features, including blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert and a rear-seat alert system. These joined forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and adaptive cruise control. Higher trims offered adaptive headlights, front and rear parking sensors with automatic braking, rear automatic braking, a surround-view camera system, and a Cruising and Traffic Support system.

The CX-30 earned five-star ratings in every NHTSA assessment except for rollover resistance, where it received four stars. The IIHS named it a Top Safety Pick+.