The Encore GX's front-passenger seat folds flat to aid in loading longer items, and we expect the rear cargo area to be more generous than the smaller Encore.

Buick's positioning in the market straddles the line between luxury and mainstream, so it's better equipped than base-level versions of rivals such as the Nissan Kicks and Subaru Crosstrek, but it doesn't provide the same level of fit and finish as the Audi, BMW, and Volvo. The Encore GX's quiet cabin features leather upholstery, heated seats, and more passenger space than the smaller Encore. For more information about the Encore GX's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website. However, on our 200-mile highway fuel-economy test route, the Encore GX with the larger engine, all-wheel drive, and nine-speed automatic managed 30 mpg, beating the EPA's estimate by 1 mpg. Going with the smaller 1.2-liter mill drops that figure to 30 mpg, and going with the 1.3-liter with all-wheel drive and the nine-speed automatic drops it further to 29 mpg. With front-wheel drive and the CVT, the turbocharged 1.3-liter is said to achieve up to 32 mpg highway. Ironically, the larger of the two three-cylinder engines receives the highest fuel-economy ratings from the EPA.

Tested: 2020 Encore GX Works Well, Bores Us.

The Buick's ride is also agreeably smooth and controlled, but it doesn't offer any handling thrills. On the road, the Encore GX feels peppier than its acceleration results suggest, particularly around town where the small turbo engine delivers good low-end grunt. The Encore GX's luxury-branded rivals-the Audi Q3, the BMW X1, and the Volvo XC40-offer more powerful engines and far quicker acceleration times. At our test track, the Encore GX with all-wheel drive, the nine-speed automatic, and the larger 1.3-liter four-cylinder required a slothful 9.3 seconds to reach 60 mph. Likewise, the slightly bigger engine exclusively uses a nine-speed automatic transmission. While the more powerful engine is available on fancier front-drive models, it's included on every Encore GX with all-wheel drive. The former pairs with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive. The base version is a 1.2-liter that develops 137 horsepower followed by an optional 1.3-liter that makes 155 ponies. The Encore GX is powered by two turbocharged three-cylinder engines. All-wheel drive is optional and adds $2000 to the price of any Encore GX. The Experience Buick package adds navigation and a power sunroof. It comes with handsome 18-inch wheels, roof-rack side rails, an eight-way power adjustable driver's seat, heated front seats, a rear-seat center armrest, remote start, and dual-zone automatic climate control. The best value in the lineup appears to be the midrange Select model. Otherwise, the junior Buick SUV rolls into 2022 with no changes. What's New for 2022?Ī quartet of new colors joins the Encore GX's palette for 2022: Cinnabar Metallic, Sapphire Metallic, Rosewood Metallic, and Sunset Glow Metallic. Its cabin is roomy and well-equipped, which helps it against those non-luxury crossovers, but it doesn't quite have the panache of the German utes. Depending on how it's equipped, the Encore GX either competes with mainstream subcompact SUVs such as the Mazda CX-30 and the Hyundai Kona or small luxury crossovers such as the BMW X1 and the Mercedes-Benz GLA-class. Handling is stable, and the ride is smooth. Acceleration is adequate, but neither of them will satisfy lead-footed drivers. The Encore GX comes with your choice of either a turbocharged 1.2-liter or turbocharged 1.3-liter three-cylinder engine. If the regular Encore is too small for you, consider stepping up to the 2022 Buick Encore GX, which is both slightly larger and more modern.

New 2022 buick encore