Buick Encore GX

Not to be confused with Buick Encore.
Buick Encore GX
Overview
ManufacturerGeneral Motors
Also called
  • Buick Encore (Mexico)
  • Buick Encore Plus (China, 2023–present)
Production2019–present
Model years2020–present (North America)
Assembly
Body and chassis
ClassSubcompact crossover SUV
Body style5-door SUV
Layout
PlatformGM VSS-F (9BXX)
RelatedChevrolet Trailblazer (crossover)
Powertrain
Engine
Transmission
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,595 mm (102.2 in)
Length4,354 mm (171.4 in)
Width1,813 mm (71.4 in)
Height1,629 mm (64.1 in)

The Buick Encore GX is a subcompact crossover SUV built by General Motors starting in 2019. Like the smaller Encore and the related Chevrolet Trailblazer, the Encore GX is manufactured by GM Korea.[1] In China, it is manufactured by the SAIC-GM joint venture.[2]

Overview

The Encore GX was revealed alongside the second generation Encore at the 2019 Shanghai Auto Show.[3] It shares the VSS-F platform with the new Chevrolet Trailblazer crossover SUV. The size of the Encore GX is subcompact-plus, positioned between the subcompact Encore and the compact Envision.

After the discontinuation of the smaller Encore, the Encore GX was the entry-level offering from Buick, until the arrival of the larger but less expensive Envista.

  • Rear view
    Rear view
  • Interior
    Interior
  • Buick Encore GX with the Sport Touring package
    Buick Encore GX with the Sport Touring package
  • Rear view
    Rear view

North America

In North America, the Encore GX was introduced at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November 2019, and made its debut in early 2020 for the 2020 model year. It is positioned between the smaller Buick Encore and the midsize Buick Envision, but it does not replace the Buick Encore in the North American market.[4] The Encore GX includes several standard safety assistance features, such as automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, and lane departure warning.

The Encore GX was launched in three trims: Preferred, Select, and Essence.[5] It also gets a Sport Touring package that adds visual enhancements such as a custom grille with Red accents, sporty front & rear bumpers with Red accents, body-colored mouldings, and exclusive 18-inch wheels, but no mechanical upgrades.[6]

Mexico

In Mexico, the Encore GX was launched in February 2020 and is marketed simply as the Encore.[7] It is offered there in Convenience, Leather, and Sport Touring trim levels. The 1.3-liter turbo I3 is the only engine available. The Encore GX replaces the original Encore in Mexico, unlike the US and Canada where both are available.

2023 refresh

In 2023, Buick unveiled the facelifted Encore GX for the 2024 model year. It adopts Buick's new Pure Design philosophy and corporate emblem. With the 2024 facelift, trim levels have changed now with base Preferred, mid-level ST, and luxury-oriented Avenir.

  • 2024 Buick Encore GX Avenir AWD
    2024 Buick Encore GX Avenir AWD
  • Rear view
    Rear view
  • Interior
    Interior

China

On August 18, 2023, Buick unveiled the facelifted Encore for the Chinese market. The refresh brings a new powertrain setup, as well as a change in name from Encore GX to Encore Plus. The Encore Plus gains a new 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Inside, the Encore Plus gains a Virtual Cockpit System specific to the Chinese market, consisting of two 10.5-inch display panels, lacking any physical knobs and buttons, along with new brown upholstery.[8]

Powertrain

Two engines are available. The first, a 1.2-liter, turbocharged 3-cylinder engine producing 137 hp (139 PS; 102 kW) and 162 lb⋅ft (220 N⋅m; 22.4 kg⋅m) torque, is standard on front-wheel-drive models with a CVT. The second, a 1.3-liter, turbocharged 3-cylinder engine producing 155 hp (157 PS; 116 kW) and 174 lb⋅ft (236 N⋅m; 24.1 kg⋅m) torque, is standard on all-wheel-drive models with a 9-speed automatic transmission. It is also available on Select and Essence trims with FWD and the CVT. In China, only the 1.3-liter engine is available, with an option of FWD and AWD and a higher output at 162 hp (164 PS; 121 kW) and 177 lb⋅ft (240 N⋅m; 24.5 kg⋅m) of torque.[9]

While the new I3 engines are available in several GM models in China, these are the first three-cylinder engines in a GM car in North America since the 2000 Chevrolet Metro.

Type[10] Engine code Displacement Power Torque Transmission Layout Model years
Gasoline LIH 1,193 cc (1.2 L) I3 turbocharged 137 hp (139 PS; 102 kW) @ 5,000 rpm 162 lb⋅ft (220 N⋅m; 22.4 kg⋅m) @ 2,500 rpm CVT FWD 2020–present
Gasoline L3T 1,338 cc (1.3 L) I3 turbocharged 155 hp (157 PS; 116 kW) @ 5,600 rpm 174 lb⋅ft (236 N⋅m; 24.1 kg⋅m) @ 1,600 rpm CVT FWD
9-speed automatic AWD
Gasoline L3T 1,338 cc (1.3 L) I3 turbocharged 162 hp (164 PS; 121 kW) @ 5,600 rpm 177 lb⋅ft (240 N⋅m; 24.5 kg⋅m) @ 1,500–4,000 rpm CVT FWD 2020–present (China)[9]
9-speed automatic AWD

Awards

U.S. News & World Report ranked the Buick Encore GX at No. 5 on its list of Best Subcompact SUVs for 2022, giving it a score of 8.1 out of 10.[11]

Safety

The 2021 model year Encore GX was awarded "Top Safety Pick" by IIHS. Unlike the Trailblazer, it did not receive the highest "Top Safety Pick+" award, as the lower two trims of the Encore GX used halogen reflectors headlights received a Marginal rating.[12][13]

IIHS scores (2021)[14]
Small overlap front (driver) Good
Small overlap front (passenger) Good
Moderate overlap front (original test) Good
Side (original test) Good
Roof strength Good
Head restraints and seats Good
Headlights Acceptable Marginal
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle Superior
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-pedestrian (Day) Superior
Child seat anchors (LATCH) ease of use Acceptable

Sales

Year United States China
2020 44,841[15] 17,582[16]
2021 71,247[17] 4,677[16]
2022 33,348[18] 9,268
2023 64,149[19]

References

  1. ^ Luft, Alex (2019-05-29). "2020 Buick Encore GX Announced For United States". GM Authority. Retrieved 2019-06-13.
  2. ^ MotorNet. "Lançamento do Buick Encore GX 2024". MotorNet (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2023-06-11.
  3. ^ Golson, Daniel (22 April 2019). "This Is (Probably) the Next-Gen Buick Encore for the U.S." Car and Driver. Retrieved 22 April 2019.
  4. ^ Stockdale, Joel (29 May 2019). "2020 Buick Encore GX revealed as a bigger smaller crossover". Autoblog. Retrieved 13 June 2019.
  5. ^ Ramsey, Jonathon (8 August 2019). "Little-bit-bigger 2020 Buick Encore GX gets two three-cylinder engines". Autoblog. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
  6. ^ "Buick Encore GX packs style and technology". www.autodevot.com. 12 March 2020. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
  7. ^ "Buick Encore GX 2020 llega más grande, más potente, más tecnológica y más ligera". www.gmchina.com. Archived from the original on 2020-06-26.
  8. ^ "New 2024 Buick Encore Plus Officially Unveiled In China". GM Authority. Retrieved 2023-08-21.
  9. ^ a b "Buick Launches All-New Encore and Encore GX in China". news.gm.com.cn. Retrieved 2023-07-22.
  10. ^ "2020 Buick Encore GX". media.gm.com. Retrieved 2023-07-22.
  11. ^ "Best Subcompact SUVs for 2022". U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved April 14, 2022.
  12. ^ Lopez, Jonathan (2021-09-16). "2021 Buick Encore GX Gets IIHS Top Safety Pick Rating". GM Authority.
  13. ^ "Two Small SUVs Snag IIHS Safety Awards". www.automotive-fleet.com. 2021-09-20. Retrieved 2024-07-10.
  14. ^ "2021 Buick Encore GX 4-door SUV". IIHS-HLDI crash testing and highway safety. Retrieved 2024-07-09.
  15. ^ "GM 2020 Sales Far Outperform the U.S. Industry in Fourth Quarter and Calendar Year". 5 January 2021.
  16. ^ a b "Buick Encore China auto sales figures". carsalesbase.com. 2020-06-29. Archived from the original on 2020-07-14. Retrieved 2021-02-05.
  17. ^ "Buick Encore GX US car sales figures". carsalesbase.com. 2020-04-06. Archived from the original on 2020-04-11. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
  18. ^ "GM Delivers a Year of Firsts". GM Pressroom. 2023-01-04. Retrieved 2023-01-06.
  19. ^ "U.S. Q4 and Full-Year Sales: GM Delivers Another Year of Firsts". GM Pressroom. 2024-01-04. Retrieved 2024-01-05.
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