With the regular Buick Encore having been phased out, the Encore GX is now the only option for drivers. This subcompact SUV offers a peppy engine with terrific fuel economy, as well as a spacious interior for its class. It’s also one of the safest SUV options on the market. The Buick Encore GX was rated five stars overall by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and received a 9.8 out of 10 from the IIHS.
Buick Encore GX Trims
The base engine included with the base trim is a 137-horsepower, turbocharged 1.2-liter three-cylinder that’s plenty powerful. It’s also fuel-efficient, getting 29 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway. But you can pack a bigger punch with an optional engine upgrade available amongst all three trims. Add to that a range of available upgrades and you have some enticing options on-hand.
Preferred
The 2024 Buick Encore GX preferred trim starts at $26,895. This trim comes with front-wheel drive. For $27,290, you can opt for a larger engine with greater horsepower. The standard upholstery option in this vehicle is a mix of cloth and synthetic leather. The infotainment system includes an 11-inch touch display with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. On top of that, there’s an 8-inch digital gauge cluster. The six-speaker stereo provides more immersive sound for your satellite radio system. Otherwise, you can choose your own tunes by connecting your devices to Bluetooth or via two USB ports. Proximity keyless entry, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and numerous safety features come standard with this trim.
The Preferred trim offers an array of standard safety features that include forward automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist, and a Teen Driver monitoring system. Features like forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning and a following distance indicator help you stay more alert on the road but are not a substitute for reckless driving habits.
The Encore GX offers plenty of optional packages, allowing you to customize your vehicle to your liking. The Advanced Technology package adds wireless device charging, adaptive cruise control, a surround-view camera system, and rear park assist for your convenience. The Comfort package adds extra support to the front seats: eight-way power adjustability to the driver’s seat and two-way power lumbar support. Further, a heated steering wheel and heated front seats are a much-welcome addition for the fall and winter months. Other features included with the Comfort package are a remote start, a flat-folding passenger seat, and a rear center armrest.
Sport Touring
If you find the Preferred trim’s basic offerings to be somewhat lacking, you can get the next-level trim, the Sport Touring, starting at $28,o95. This trim comes with a larger 1.3-liter engine that generates 155 horsepower. Front-wheel drive comes standard, but you can get the upgraded engine and switch to all-wheel drive at an additional cost.
Most of the Sport Touring model additions are purely aesthetic. However, the 18-inch gloss black aluminum wheels, glossy black grille, roof-mounted side rails, and LED taillights give the vehicle a sleeker, cooler look. If you are looking for more options, the Advanced Technology package, the Comfort package, and other add-ons from the Preferred model carry over to this trim.
Exclusive to this trim, the Experience Buick package for $1,695 gives you a panoramic moonroof, upgraded 19-inch gloss black aluminum wheels, and all-season tires.
Avenir
Lastly, is the Avenir trim starting at $33,195. Like the Sport Touring, the trim comes with the 1.3-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine upgrade. Aesthetic upgrades include 19-inch Premium Pearl Nickel aluminum wheels, all-season tires, LED taillights, and a black grille. On this inside, there’s a 120-volt household-style power outlet, an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with memory settings, and two-way lumbar support for both the driver’s seat and front passenger seat. The passenger seat also has six-way power-folding. It’s also worth noting that this is the only trim to come standard with dual-zone climate control.
And those are just some of the standard features. A rear center armrest, heated front seats, heated steering wheel, and an in-cabin air filter all contribute to driver and passenger comfort. Auto-dimming rearview mirror, a cabin humidity sensor, remote start, and a universal garage opener provide further conveniences.
The Avenir Convenience package gives you assistance features like rear park assist and rain-sensing windshield wipers, as well as luxuries like a hands-free power liftgate and a seven-speaker Bose stereo. Finally, there’s the Avenir Technology package, which includes all of the previously mentioned features plus a surround-view camera system. Individual items add-ons are offered as well, including genuine leather seats.
Overview
Aside from the Buick Enclave, the Encore GX is certainly a worthwhile upgrade from the regular Encore that has been discontinued. The only downside to this vehicle, besides it not making a great off-roader, is the fact that its cabin materials aren’t as luxurious as one might like. Nevertheless, it’s still an excellent vehicle for your money. Check out these options and more at your local Buick dealer.
