2026 Buick Encore GX

Volume Sport Touring/Avenir trims run the 1.3L LIH turbo I3 at 155 hp; base Preferred uses the 1.2L LIH turbo I3 at 137 hp. Both are among the lowest-output offerings in the subcompact SUV segment.

1.3L makes 174 lb-ft @ 1,600 rpm; 1.2L Preferred makes 162 lb-ft @ 2,500 rpm. Both are low-torque three-cylinders relative to peers.

Independent tests place the 1.3L Encore GX in the high-8 to low-9-second range; the 1.2L FWD Preferred is meaningfully slower. Well below segment leaders like the VW Taos and Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid.

Both LIH turbo three-cylinders build boost reasonably from low rpm but suffer typical three-cylinder buzz and vibration under load; the 1.2L is especially strained on grades. Reviewers describe adequate around-town response with coarse, thrashy high-rpm behavior.

FWD models pair the engines with a CVT that drones under hard acceleration and hunts around town; AWD models get a conventional 9-speed automatic that shifts more decisively but is not particularly quick to kick down. Mixed behavior across the lineup.

Buick rates the Encore GX at 1,000 lbs across every trim and drivetrain — the segment floor. Comparable to the Trax/Envista and well below the VW Taos (1,500) or Kia Seltos (2,000).

AWD is optional across all three trims (Preferred, Sport Touring, Avenir) with basic on-demand operation and a Snow drive mode — no torque vectoring, no low range, no terrain modes.

7.5 in ground clearance, no skid plates, no locking differential, and no dedicated off-road trim. Sport Touring/Avenir include a nominal Off-Road drive mode but the hardware is pure urban-crossover.

Two closely-related gas turbo three-cylinders (1.2L on Preferred, 1.3L on ST/Avenir) — no hybrid, PHEV, or EV variant. Rivals like the Corolla Cross, Niro, Kona, and Kicks all offer hybrid or EV alternatives.

2026 Encore GX carries over the 2024-refresh 1.3L turbo-3 (155 hp) with 9-speed automatic across the lineup; volume trim is Preferred FWD at 30 mpg combined per EPA. Real value replaces placeholder 33.2.

EPA city figure for volume 1.3L FWD trim. Real value replaces placeholder 35.2.

EPA highway figure for volume 1.3L FWD trim. Real value replaces placeholder 33.4.

Total range on a full tank for the volume 1.3L FWD trim: 13.2-gallon fuel tank × 30 MPG combined ≈ 396 mi. Real value replaces placeholder 499.7 mi.

EPA estimated annual fuel cost for the volume 1.3L FWD trim at standard 15k mi/yr, regular unleaded. Real value replaces placeholder 1,976.8.

The 1.3L turbo is designed for regular 87-octane unleaded — no premium recommendation despite the turbocharger. Simple gas-station refueling, no charging infrastructure needed, no diesel or E85 complications.

The Encore GX was last NHTSA-tested on the current-generation structure (shared with Trailblazer) and earned 4 stars overall, held back by a 3-star driver frontal-crash result. The 2024 mid-cycle refresh did not touch the body-in-white, so the rating carries into 2026 absent a retest.

Encore GX earned 2023 Top Safety Pick under the older test regime with Good original moderate-overlap and small-overlap results, then lost the award as IIHS raised the bar with the updated moderate-overlap (rear-occupant), updated side, and night-pedestrian tests. It is not on the 2024, 2025, or 2026 TSP/TSP+ lists.

Buick Driver Confidence I is standard across all trims — Automatic Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Alert, Front Pedestrian Braking, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, IntelliBeam auto high beams, Following Distance Indicator. However, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise sit in Driver Confidence II — optional on Preferred and standard only on Sport Touring / Avenir — so the volume Preferred trim lacks BSM and ACC standard.

GM's current low-speed AEB earned Superior in legacy IIHS vehicle-to-vehicle testing, and the Encore GX adds standard front pedestrian braking. Under the tougher 2023+ front-crash-prevention protocol (night pedestrian, cyclist detection) GM subcompacts have generally slipped to Acceptable rather than Good; without a fresh 2024+ Encore GX-specific result, treat performance as adequate but not class-leading.

Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert and Rear Cross Traffic Alert are alert-only (no active steering or braking intervention) and are bundled in Driver Confidence II — optional on Preferred, standard on Sport Touring / Avenir. There is no trailer-aware coverage. Adequate but behind rivals that now include BSM standard on the base trim.

Standard Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning is nudge-only correction; there is no true lane-centering feature at any Encore GX trim. Reviewers describe it as reactive rather than proactive and note that it disengages at lower speeds.

Adaptive Cruise Control is full-speed-range with stop-and-go and is competent when equipped, but it lives in Driver Confidence II — optional on the volume Preferred trim — and is not paired with any lane-centering handoff since Encore GX lacks highway assist. Availability and integration are the deficits, not ACC behavior.

Super Cruise is not offered on the Encore GX at any trim or option level. The system remains reserved for larger Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC vehicles on GM's higher electrical architecture.

LED reflector headlights are standard for 2024+ with IntelliBeam auto high beams standard across the range. In IIHS testing GM's small-crossover headlights have generally rated Acceptable rather than Good, so class-average illumination is the fair characterization.

Upright greenhouse, tall side glass, thin A- and C-pillars, and a small footprint yield good forward and side sightlines. Standard HD Rear Vision Camera aids parking; 360-degree HD Surround Vision is available only on Avenir. Rear three-quarter view is average due to the rising beltline behind the C-pillar.

Two full LATCH sets in the outboard rear positions and a top tether in the center. Lower anchors sit behind fabric flaps and are not flush-visible, which IIHS has historically rated Marginal for ease of use. Rear doors open reasonably wide but rear-seat width is tight — two rear-facing seats are workable, three-across is very tight.

Encore GX is a 5-passenger subcompact SUV; no third-row option on any trim.

Front headroom without sunroof per Buick spec; moonroof (optional Sport Touring, standard Avenir) trims it to 39.6 in.

Front legroom per Buick spec; mid-pack in the SUV normalization band.

Second-row headroom without sunroof per Buick spec; moonroof trims it to 37.3 in.

Second-row legroom per Buick spec; adequate for kids but tight for adults, and notably behind mechanical sibling Trailblazer (39.4 in).

Two-row subcompact SUV — no third-row offered on any trim.

Cargo behind the second row per Buick spec; below the 25 cu ft SUV band floor as expected for a subcompact.

Max cargo with the 60/40 rear seat folded per Buick spec; short of the 55 cu ft SUV band floor.

Competent subcompact storage: two-tier center console, underfloor cargo bin, front-passenger seatback that folds flat for long items, available wireless charging. Nothing standout but well thought out for the class.

Front seats are supportive with above-class cushioning, especially Avenir's perforated leather with 8-way power and driver massage; rear cushion is short and low-set, so back-seat comfort trails the fronts.

Compliant, softly-sprung tune biased toward comfort — smoother than Trax/Trailblazer siblings but the short 105.5 in wheelbase still allows some head-toss over sharp bumps.

QuietTuning package with acoustic laminated windshield (front side glass on Avenir) and active noise cancellation on the 1.3T; quieter than Trax/Trailblazer at highway speed but the three-cylinder is audible under load.

Heated front seats and heated steering wheel standard; dual-zone automatic climate on Sport Touring and Avenir; ventilated front seats and heated rear outboard seats available on Avenir. No rear climate controls, typical for the class.

2026 Encore GX Preferred FWD carries a modest bump over the 2025 base of $27,095 including destination; entry pricing remains competitive within the subcompact-SUV band.

Sport Touring is the popular mid-trim; AWD is the common upgrade in northern markets. Typical build lands around $31–32k for 2026.

Small-turbo-3 GM powertrain and small-SUV parts profile track a bit above the segment low; near class-average maintenance and repair over five years.

Buick brand residuals sit below the SUV segment average; Encore GX depreciation historically tracks 42–44% retention at 5 years.

GM's Buick brand offers 4 yr / 50,000 mi bumper-to-bumper coverage, one year longer than most mainstream rivals and matched to the segment midpoint.

6 yr / 70,000 mi powertrain coverage is standard GM but trails Hyundai/Kia's 10 yr / 100,000 mi benchmark, placing it below the segment norm.

One free scheduled maintenance visit in the first year (oil/filter, tire rotation, multipoint inspection) plus 6 yr / 70,000 mi roadside assistance and a limited OnStar connected-services trial — basic but not generous.

$31,795 volume-trim price minus its estimated resale value after 5 years (43% retained, or about $13,672) leaves about $18,123 in depreciation. Add the projected $5,100 in 5-year maintenance and repairs, and owning this vehicle for 5 years costs about $23,223 in total.

Consumer Reports has generally rated Encore GX predicted reliability around average, with mixed owner feedback on the 1.3L turbo I3 and 9-speed automatic. J.D. Power quality scores for the nameplate have been decent but not standout.

Buick has consistently ranked in the top tier of J.D. Power's Vehicle Dependability Study over the past several years (often top 5 among all brands, and top 3 among mass-market brands), giving the badge a real dependability halo.

Encore GX has accumulated a normal set of recalls over its current generation (fuel pump, seat belt anchor, software items shared across GM small SUVs) — nothing systemic or catastrophic, but more than a clean sheet.

The 1.3L turbo three-cylinder (LIH/L3T family) is relatively new to high-mileage duty and has drawn owner complaints around carbon buildup and turbo/valvetrain concerns. GM's Hydra-Matic 9T50 nine-speed has a mixed early-life reputation. No proven long-run track record like Toyota/Honda I4s.

The 2024 refresh brought a nicer dashboard with the twin 11-inch curved-glass display, upgraded switchgear, and better soft-touch coverage on upper trims. Still trails class benchmarks on lower trims where hard plastics dominate, but reads as a step above the mechanically related Trailblazer/Trax.

Built at GM's Bupyeong plant in South Korea, assembly quality is generally solid with tight panel gaps and few reported rattles. Not class-leading, but reviewers rarely flag build issues.

Buick shares GM's dense US dealer footprint (typically dual-badged Buick-GMC stores nationwide), giving strong coverage in most metros and small cities. Service satisfaction tracks close to industry average.

Platform is shared with Chevrolet Trailblazer/Trax, so parts volumes are large and pricing is moderate. Independent shops can service it. Nothing exotic to source.

Post-2024 refresh Encore GX carries an 11.0-inch diagonal HD color touchscreen standard on every 2026 trim (Preferred, Sport Touring, Avenir); no larger option offered.

GM's post-refresh system is clean and legible with physical climate controls retained, but reviewers describe menus as functional-not-slick versus Kia/Hyundai/VW rivals, and no Google Built-in on this platform.

Wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto are standard across every 2026 trim, matching best-in-class subcompact SUV practice.

Basic embedded voice control is present but not a natural-language assistant; connected navigation is subscription-gated through OnStar/Connected Services, and most owners default to phone projection.

Base 6-speaker system is unremarkable; a Bose 7-speaker premium system is standard on Avenir and optional on Sport Touring — capable but a step behind Bose/B&O upgrades in luxury-adjacent rivals.

The 2024+ refresh brought an 8.0-inch reconfigurable driver information display standard — decent resolution but smaller and less configurable than the full-digital clusters in Kia Seltos or Hyundai Kona rivals.

GM supports OTA infotainment and vehicle-software updates via OnStar/Connected Services on the refreshed platform, but the cadence and feature-add scope are modest compared with Tesla or Hyundai/Kia OTA.

myBuick app offers remote start, lock/unlock, vehicle locate and status, but core remote features become subscription-gated after the trial and there is no digital-key/phone-as-key.

USB-A and USB-C ports front and rear, wireless charging optional on Sport Touring and standard on Avenir; no 110V household outlet — adequate but not abundant.

Keyless Open and push-button start with remote start are standard across all 2026 trims; hands-free power liftgate is available on higher trims. No phone-as-key.

Rear vision camera and rear park assist standard; HD Surround Vision (360-degree camera) with front park assist is standard on Avenir and optional on Sport Touring — good coverage but 360-view is not democratized.

Head-up display is not offered on any 2026 Encore GX trim, including Avenir — a gap versus mainstream subcompact rivals like Kia Seltos and Mazda CX-30 that make HUD available.

Reasonable rear door openings and a 60/40 split rear bench with two outboard LATCH sets work for one or two child seats, but the sub-103 cu ft cabin means rear-facing installs push the front passenger forward. 23.5 cu ft behind the rear seats is above the subcompact average and swallows a stroller with room for a diaper bag.

Buick Driver Confidence is standard on every 2026 trim: auto emergency braking with pedestrian detection, forward collision alert, lane-keep assist with lane-departure warning, following distance indicator, IntelliBeam, and rear seat reminder. Blind-zone/rear cross-traffic alert and adaptive cruise remain optional on Preferred, keeping this off benchmarks like the Corolla Cross where they are standard.

QuietTuning cabin and available heated leatherette seats keep the front cabin pleasant, and the 11-inch touchscreen with wireless CarPlay/Android Auto handles entertainment. Rear seat is tolerable for two kids on multi-hour drives but tight for three across, and cargo shrinks quickly once car seats and roadtrip gear are on board.

1.3L turbo I3 with CVT (FWD) or 9-speed auto (AWD) is smooth and responsive in stop-and-go traffic, throttle tip-in is light, and outward visibility is good thanks to a modest beltline and thin pillars for the segment. Buick refinement — quiet cabin, isolated ride, easy-to-use 11-inch infotainment — makes it more relaxing daily than the Trax/Trailblazer siblings.

EPA-rated around 28 mpg combined FWD and ~27 mpg combined AWD on regular unleaded — decent for a subcompact SUV but well behind hybrid rivals (Corolla Cross Hybrid ~42 mpg, Niro Hybrid ~53 mpg) that are now the segment cost leaders. Insurance and consumables are inexpensive.

171-inch overall length, 102-inch wheelbase, and a ~38 ft curb-to-curb turning circle make it easy to thread through urban streets and slot into short spots. Standard rearview camera plus available HD Surround Vision on Avenir cover blind spots at low speed.

Not marketed or configured as a work vehicle: no US tow rating advertised, no meaningful payload headroom beyond passengers, and the 155-hp 1.3L turbo is not built for hauling under load. Cargo tops out at 50.2 cu ft with the rear seat down, adequate for hobby loads only.

Comfort-tuned subcompact platform with leatherette or cloth interior — no rubberized cargo liner, wash-out floors, or fleet package. The 1.3L turbo and 9-speed powertrain are proven in millions of GM subcompacts but the vehicle overall isn't designed for abuse.

Four rear cargo tie-downs, a 12V outlet, and no factory 120V inverter or bed. Roof rails are standard on Sport Touring/Avenir for a light rack, but the aftermarket work-upfit ecosystem is minimal versus a Bronco Sport or Maverick.

QuietTuning cabin, well-bolstered available heated leatherette seats, and standard Buick Driver Confidence (with adaptive cruise available on Sport Touring/Avenir) make it a competent tourer for two. Roughly 13.2 gal × 28 mpg yields ~370 mi highway range — mid-pack for the segment.

AWD is optional on Preferred and standard on Sport Touring / Avenir, with roof rails on the upper trims for kayak or ski carriers, but 7.2-inch ground clearance and no low-range/off-road drive mode mean it's a light-duty gravel-road companion rather than a Bronco Sport or Crosstrek rival.

Fold-flat front passenger seat plus 60/40-split fold-flat rear expands to 50.2 cu ft and lets the Encore GX swallow long items (skis, ladders) that most subcompacts can't; adjustable cargo floor and standard roof rails on upper trims add flexibility. Hitch-mount cargo carrier requires a low-capacity aftermarket receiver.

Soft, comfort-biased tune on GM's VSS-F platform with 105.5 in wheelbase — secure and predictable at commuter speeds but pronounced body roll and modest grip when pushed. Sportier Envista sibling is the dynamic pick; Encore GX prioritizes cushiness.

Electric power steering is light and easy for parking-lot maneuvers but numb on-center, with little build-up or feedback as loads increase. Precise enough for daily driving; not communicative.

Adequate stopping power for a ~3,300 lb subcompact — instrumented stops from 60 mph land in the ~120 ft range, on par with segment norms. Pedal is progressive if a touch soft; no fade issues noted in daily use.

Both LIH turbo three-cylinders have noticeable turbo lag off the line and a coarse cadence under load; CVT (FWD) drones and hunts under acceleration, while the 9-speed automatic (AWD) is smoother but occasionally slow to kick down. Tip-in calibration is acceptable but the whole driveline feels strained above ~4,000 rpm.

Three-cylinder engines are audibly buzzy and thrash-prone under load; Buick's QuietTuning and Active Noise Cancellation on the 1.3T mask it well at highway cruise, but hard acceleration exposes the coarse timbre and some vibration through the wheel and pedals.

Curb-to-curb turning diameter per Buick spec sheet; mid-pack in the SUV band despite the short 105.5 in wheelbase.

Upright command seating with good forward sightlines, easy ingress/egress at mid-height, and 8-way power driver's seat plus heated steering wheel standard on Sport Touring/Avenir. Controls are logically grouped and Buick retained physical climate knobs. Rear visibility is compromised by the small rear window.

Character is comfort-first commuter appliance — soft suspension, numb steering, coarse three-cylinder soundtrack, and modest thrust add up to a car that gets the job done without inviting the scenic route. Sportier subcompacts like the Taos, Seltos X-Line, or Kona N-Line are meaningfully more engaging.

For 2026 the Encore GX makes an 11-inch touchscreen, 8-inch digital cluster, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Alexa Built-In, lane-change alert and rear cross-traffic braking standard across the lineup — a legitimate step up from most mainstream subcompact rivals. Content is competitive for the money but not standout given the $26.2K start price, which is well above most segment competitors.

Base Preferred starts at $26,200 and Avenir tops out around $33,495 — a clear premium over the mechanically related Chevy Trailblazer (~$23K start) and above most content-matched mainstream rivals. The interior upgrades and quieter tuning justify some of the delta, but you pay a distinct Buick premium for very similar hardware.

Three trims (Preferred, Sport Touring, Avenir) with FWD standard and AWD optional across the line, plus a choice between the 1.2T (Preferred only) and 1.3T three-cylinder engines. Reasonable breadth for the segment — enough spread from value to loaded — but no sport, off-road, or electrified variant.

Buick sold 58,185 Encore GX units in 2024, up 32% year-over-year and a strong mid-pack result for the subcompact SUV segment. Q3 2025 fell ~38% year-over-year, however, as the newer Envista siphons off Buick shoppers and updated rivals arrive — trajectory is softening rather than growing.

Buick's post-2022 rebrand and quieter, plusher tuning give it a legitimate near-premium positioning above Chevy, and dependability rankings are consistently strong. But the brand still skews older, lacks aspirational pull versus Acura/Lexus/Genesis, and doesn't generate enthusiast desirability — a mild positive rather than a halo.

GM routinely stacks meaningful cash and finance incentives on the Encore GX. July 2026 offers include $2,250 conquest cash, 0.9% APR promotional financing, and a $199/month lease on Preferred FWD — well above segment norms for buyer benefit without signaling fire-sale desperation.

Seventh model year of the first generation launched for 2020, with the mid-cycle refresh two years ago (2024) and only minor 2026 tweaks (new Brilliant Red color, tire inflator kit replacing the spare). Current but no longer new; a redesign or major overhaul is expected around 2028.

U.S. News ranks the Encore GX #12 among subcompact SUVs with a solid 8.4/10 overall and credits it with the segment's best J.D. Power reliability score (90/100). Reviewers praise the quiet ride, refinement, and standard tech but call out the underwhelming three-cylinder engines; not a comparison-test winner and no 10Best / Top Safety Pick / NACTOY laurels for 2026.