Encore GX bolsters Buick’s near-posh reputation

BUICK

The 2024 Buick Encore GX crossover is an agile mix of handling and comfortable ride that borders on luxurious. The base model is $28,800.

Buick has ditched every sedan it makes for a lineup of crossovers and SUVs that show Buick is still a somewhat posh automaker.

Look at Encore GX, Buick’s smaller entry into the crossover segment. It’s stylish, offers a lot of standard stuff and is surprisingly agile.

The Encore was first introduced in 2020 and the 2025 is still part of the first generation. It has an extremely stylish exterior that separates it from the pack. It is elegant looking with s medium sized grille with a thin headlight design. There are nice character lines on the rear quarter that flow into the taillights. The rear glass could be a tad deeper for a better view, but the overall look is tailored.

Under the hood is a 1.2-liter turbo three-cylinder turbocharged engine matched to a nine-speed transmission. The engine makes 137 horsepower with 162 pounds-feet of torque. My test car was equipped with all-wheel drive so the 0-60 times may be a bit slower than the 9.2 seconds Buick says you can achieve. Regardless, the Encore doesn’t feel slow, even when making moves in traffic.

The Encore GX is surprisingly agile. There is very little body roll if you aggressively take on a sharp curve. The amount of grip the all-season tires provide is s pleasant surprise as well. Buick has tuned the little Encore to produce nearly exceptional handling prowess.

With this kind of handling, the ride must be jittery and rough, right? Nope. Buick found a way to give the Encore a comfortable, near-luxury ride. Bumps and thumps are not transferred into the cabin. The Encore keeps its composure on the road without telegraphing the condition of the road to the passengers. It seems the company got the sports touring moniker correct.

I wish I could say the same for the noise level. It’s not horrible, but the engine’s whine is pronounced even when you don’t punch it. Every now and then I could feel vibration in the steering column. That should be a no-no.
Otherwise, The Encore is a well thought out vehicle. It’s probably the smoothest in the class and it certainly is one of the better-looking vehicles out there.

The interior is a wonderful mix of minimalism and opulence if that makes sense. The dash is digital and can display a variety of information. The 11.8-inch touch screen to the right is bright and responds quickly to the touch. Not all functions are in the touch screen which is a good thing.

Climate controls are actual dials which allows in quick climate changes. There is a fair amount of plastic but it’s where it should be, and the quality looks good.

The cabin looks and feels spacious. There is ample room for tall people though they may find it a little difficult entering the vehicle. Once inside, head and leg room are good. My vehicle had a sunroof that took away a bit of head room. The seats are comfortable but need more padding. The rear seat is OK for three but best for two.

The Encore GX Grand Touring starts at $28,800. You get Buick’s premium infotainment system, engine start and stop, eight-inch multi-color driver’s info display, 60/40 split rear bench, auto high beams, lane keep assist with lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert and distance indicator.

Several packages were included on my test vehicle which included adaptive cruise, 19-inch painted wheels, panoramic sunroof, wireless charging and Ocean Blue Metallic paint.
With destination charges, the as tested price came to $33,380. If you are feeling the Encore doesn’t have enough stuff, you can opt for the Avenir version that has ore luxury features. Or you can go for the entry level version and say a few more bucks.

Pros:

• Handsome styling

• Roomy interior

• Excellent handling

• Comfortable ride

• All-wheel drive

• Plentiful standard equipment

Cons:

• Pricey for the class

• Noisy interior

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