Buick Encore vs. Encore GX

Buick Encore vs. Encore GX

The Buick Encore has long been one of the best-selling subcompact crossover SUVs Buick has to offer. So why should you take a look at the GX model? What does it have to offer? To put it simply, it’s an entirely new vehicle. While the Encore and the Encore GX share a name, they’re different enough to stand on their own merit. They’re both compact SUVs made by Buick, but they offer a variety of different features that make them each truly unique. Let’s take a deeper look into each vehicle to see which model is the right fit for you and your family.

Space Inside and Out

At 171.4 inches, the newest Encore GX is about three inches longer than the previous Encore model. Those three inches, together with the 1.3 inches of added width, increase the interior cargo space from 18.8 cubic feet to 23.5 cubic feet. Fold the rear seats down and your space doubles to 48.4 cubic feet in the Encore, while the GX boasts a roomy 50.2. The wheelbase in the GX model is also 1.6-inches longer, which results in a bit more leg and shoulder room inside the cabin.

Under the Hood

The Encore comes equipped with a 1.4-liter four-cylinder turbo engine that gives off 138 horsepower and 149 pound-feet of torque. The six-speed automatic engine gets up to 25 mpg in the city and up to 30 on the highway. The Encore GX has a 1.2-liter turbocharged engine offering 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque.

The GX is also available in a 1.3-liter turbocharged engine that boosts the horsepower to 155 with a torque of 174 pound-feet. While both engines are quite similar in performance, the GX does beat the Encore in the gas mileage category, getting 30 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway.

Style and Design

The Buick Encore maintains the classic, subdued look of a family SUV,  while the GX’s clean modern lines and winged black mesh grille is a sportier affair. The Encore has six exterior color options to choose from, ranging from a traditional Ebony Twilight Metallic to a flashier Cinnabar Metallic or Dark Moon Blue Metallic. The GX has nine exterior color choices, as well as three interior options for its five cloth and leatherette seats. Both models offer premium lighting with LED daytime running lights, and each comes with a power moon roof to keep the fresh air flowing.

Technology

The Buick Infotainment System comes standard in both the Encore and the Encore GX and includes a variety of built-in technology (such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto). The Encore GX adds in in-vehicle apps such as Alexa Built-In™ to keep you connected wherever you go. The Connected Navigation System will seamlessly guide you to your destination, which appears clearly on the full-color touchscreen display.

The myBuick mobile app is available for both the Encore and the GX. The app keeps you up-to-date on what’s going on under the hood, showing you everything from tire pressure to real-time diagnostics. The GX comes with a wireless smartphone charging dock and an optional rearview mirror camera. These features give you a wider, unobstructed view behind you while you drive. In addition to making the driving experience more comfortable, the rearview mirror camera also enhances the vehicle’s safety, providing a full view of objects close to the bumper that may otherwise have been overlooked.

Safety Features

Safety features are in abundance in both Buick Encore models, though the GX offers a few extra modern conveniences to enhance your experience. Both are equipped with 10 airbags, which are spread throughout the vehicle to protect you if a collision does occur. Four-wheel anti-lock brakes, daytime running lights, and a full security system are standard in both models. The Encore GX includes the Buick Driver Confidence package that provides a long list of driver-assist technology built with your safety in mind.

Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Intellibeam® auto high beams, Forward Collision Alert, Front Pedestrian Braking, and Automatic Emergency Braking are all featured in the GX’s Driver Confidence package. The Encore has two safety packages of its own which feature options such as a blind-spot monitor, forward collision alerts, lane departure alerts, and parking sensors.

Buick Encore Trims

The Buick Encore is available in a base model trim and a preferred trim. The Safety Package and Safety Package II are only available with the Preferred trim, along with a remote start system and carpeted floor mats. Both trims come standard with a 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and front-wheel drivetrain, and the Preferred trim has the option of all-wheel drive.

Buick Encore GX Trims

The GX comes in three trim options: Preferred, Select, and Essence. The extensive list of driver-assist features that comes with the Buick Driver Confidence package is available with all three of the GX trims. Select adds on the change lane assist with blind-side alert, and Essence includes an automatic parking assist option. The Select and Essence also offer heated front seats and a panoramic moon roof.

Each trim offers a choice of a standard 1.2-liter turbocharged engine and a 1.3-liter option going from 137 horsepower to 155 horsepower. The Preferred and Select come with halogen exterior lighting while the Essence offers LED front and rear lamps. No matter which trim you choose, there are a variety of add-on package options, including a Cold Weather Comfort Package, Sport Touring Package, Safety Package, Advanced Technology Package, and a Convenience Package.

Find the Right Encore for You

Whether you are in the market for a comfortable family SUV or a sleek sporty vehicle to drive around town, an Encore or Encore GX could be the right fit for you. Come to Koons Woodbridge Buick GMC to have the knowledgeable and friendly staff guide you through the many options available to create the perfect vehicle for you and your family. Go online to check out the inventory or come down to the dealership to test drive your next Buick Encore or Encore GX today.

Image via Flickr by truckhardware

Tags: 2021 Buick Encore, 2021 Buick Encore GX
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