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1 speed, Continuously Variable Ratio, 9 speed, Automatic
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Photo: Perry Stern
The Buick Encore GX competes in the Small SUV market segment. According to data collected from verified new-vehicle buyers for the JD Power 2023 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study, 60 percent of new Buick Encore GX buyers are female (vs. 55 percent for the segment), and the median age of a new Encore GX buyer is 68 years (vs. 56).
As part of the APEAL Study, owners rated the Encore GX in 10 primary categories. Listed below in descending order, you'll find their preferences, from their most favorite thing about the vehicle to their least favorite:
In the 2023 APEAL Study, the Encore GX ranks 8th out of 16 Small SUV models.
In the following sections, our independent expert analyzes a 2024 Buick Encore GX Avenir AWD equipped with the following options:
The test vehicle's price was $37,340, including the $1,295 destination charge.
Photo: Perry Stern
It looks small from the outside, but the Encore GX features a surprisingly roomy cabin. The seats in front and back were quite comfortable, with good support and more than adequate legroom for rear-seat passengers. The cargo area features 23.5 cubic feet of space—more than enough for a few pieces of luggage or the weekly trip to the grocery store. Folding the rear seats more than doubles the available space.
For the 2024 model year, Buick updates the interior with what it calls the Virtual Cockpit System. The centerpiece of this refresh is the 8-inch driver display and 11-inch infotainment display, both presented behind a single glass screen for a thoroughly modern look.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard with a wireless connection. I quickly connected my Samsung Galaxy S23+ via Bluetooth, with the prompt to run Android Auto appearing almost immediately. While Android Auto always reconnected when I returned to the vehicle, it was often slow to recognize the connection. Sometimes, I would go into the menu to manually select my phone as it took too long to do it automatically.
Surprisingly, the Encore GX does not offer GPS navigation, even in the top-level Avenir. The infotainment system is relatively sparse without the phone integration, only showing settings, cameras, and audio selections. Access to the odometer and trip computer settings requires digging into the infotainment menu system, which is less intuitive than the typical reset button on the dashboard.
Buick conveniently located the wireless phone charger at the front of the center console; it holds the phone in place nicely. I liked that the display indicated when the phone was charging. There's also a USB-C and USB-A port located just above the charger, providing plenty of options for keeping devices powered.
While Buick has gone with the large display screen, I was pleased to see that there are still physical controls for the climate functions for quick and easy access. There's also a volume knob, although tuning must occur on the screen.
There is reasonable storage throughout the Encore GX's cabin, with a fairly deep center console bin, dual cupholders, and an added cubby, which is handy for storing sunglasses and other small items. Door pockets are quite large, with enough space for a large water bottle.
The top tier of each Buick model lineup is the Avenir. For 2024, this classic American brand makes it available on the Encore GX. The Avenir sets itself apart from the rest of the Encore GX lineup with a unique grille trimmed in Black Ice finish, clear-lens LED taillights, body-color wheel arch flares, lower rocker cladding, and premium 19-inch aluminum wheels with the exclusive Pearl Nickel finish.
Buick outfits the Avenir cabin with power lumbar controls for the front seats, a power adjustable driver's seat, a pollutant air filter, dual-zone climate controls, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, keyless start, and a cabin humidity sensor. The front passenger seat folds flat, providing additional space for longer cargo items.
The Encore GX Avenir also comes with three years of OnStar Premium. This subscription service provides Wi-Fi hotspot data, remote access via the Buick app, automatic crash response, roadside assistance, and various in-vehicle apps like Spotify, The Weather Channel, and more.
An Avenir Convenience package is also available, adding a hands-free power liftgate, rain-sensing windshield wipers, a Bose premium audio system, and rear park assist. The Avenir Technology package adds adaptive cruise control, a rearview camera mirror, wireless phone charging, and HD surround vision.
Photo: Perry Stern
It was in 2022 that Buick debuted the stunning Wildcat EV concept. While it would have been amazing to see that car on the road, ultimately, the concept vehicle never made it to production. That said, the Wildcat influenced the brand's design direction, and the Encore GX updates are a perfect example.
The Encore GX has a sleek look with expressive LED running lights that wrap around the corners, giving the SUV a unique face. The hoodline comes to a point at the front, which gives the appearance of pressing forward into the wind. Buick's updated tri-shield logo displays prominently at the very front. A new, wide grille flanked by LED headlights integrated into the body completes the look.
At the rear, the Encore GX gets updated LED taillights that mimic the shape of the driving lights in front. The automaker features the new brand logo in the center of the rear hatch, with "BUICK" spelled out in large letters for a premium look. Imitation exhaust outlets integrated into the lower fascia give the impression that this is a powerful vehicle, which it isn't.
The Encore GX also gets new wheel designs for the 2024 model year. My top-level Avenir test vehicle had attractive 19-inch Pearl Nickel wheels exclusive to the Avenir.
The mechanicals of the Encore GX have not changed since its introduction in 2020, and my test vehicle featured AWD with the more powerful, 155-horsepower, turbocharged 1.3-liter engine. This combination swaps the continuously variable automatic transmission that comes with FWD with a smooth-shifting 9-speed automatic transmission.
Unlike most crossovers in this segment, the Encore GX requires manual engagement of the AWD system via a button on the center console. Otherwise, the vehicle remains in FWD, even if the front wheels slip. While this manual activation saves fuel when you don't need AWD, many competitors accomplish this automatically.
The Encore GX's engine is not very powerful, so it takes some time to reach highway speeds. But it works fine for driving around town. I took the opportunity to explore some of the back roads outside of Ann Arbor, Michigan. While the Encore GX handled the winding roads fine, the steering was a bit numb, and the ride was uninspiring. The Encore GX does what it needs to, but fun is outside its repertoire.
The Encore GX worked well when I took a 200-mile road trip to Indiana. The freeway on this route has some very rough patches, but the Encore absorbed most of the bumps, keeping the ride smooth and stable. Given Buick's reputation for quiet cabins, I was surprised at the high level of road noise when cruising at 70 mph.
With the larger engine and AWD, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Encore GX at 26 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. After my lengthy drive, the trip computer indicated just over 28 mpg, so the EPA seems right on the money.
Photo: Perry Stern
Buick has done a commendable job of refreshing its lineup, giving the brand a new look. The Encore GX looks good with its modern front-end design and stylish front and rear lighting. Updates to the cabin elevate the small crossover, giving it a more high-tech vibe, and the new Avenir trim level is a welcome addition to the lineup.
While the Encore GX is perfectly capable of handling day-to-day tasks with a comfortable cabin and reasonable cargo space, its lack of performance and dull driving characteristics are disappointing. With similar crossovers like the Mazda CX-30 or Kia Seltos that deliver a more entertaining drive for a comparable price without giving up any of the space or features, the Encore GX is a tough sell. But for the buyer looking for a stylish American-brand crossover with reasonable utility and a comfortable cabin, the Encore GX could fit the bill.
Perry Stern has worked in the automotive industry for over 30 years and has always been a car enthusiast. Driving almost every new car on the market, Perry has written for multiple publications in addition to his work for JDPower.com. Recently relocated to southeast Michigan, Perry is still crazy about cars, especially his 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata.
