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Buy this Ford vs Ferrari GT40 Movie Car2024 Buick Encore GX Review
The 2024 Encore is now in its second generation. We review the new interior including Buick’s new “virtual cockpit” and more. Read our thoughts here.
What’s New for the 2024 Buick Encore GX?
The 2024 Buick Encore GX is all-new and marks the start of the second generation of Buick’s small crossover. Versus the 2023 Encore GX, this new model has a dramatically restyled front end with swoopy headlights and the automaker’s revised Tri-Shield logo.
Inside, a new “Virtual Cockpit” debuts with an 8-inch digital gauge cluster and an 11-inch infotainment display housed behind a single piece of 19-inch glass. Though the previous powertrains carryover, a new Avenir top-spec model has also been added to the lineup. Buick aims their vehicles at the premium segment with a nice layer of luxury sans the big price tag. Let’s see how effectively the latest Encore GX meets this mission.
2024 Buick Encore GX – buick.com | Shop 2024 Buick Encore GX on Carsforsale.com
Carsforsale.com Score
7.75/10
Powertrain
Score
7.25/10
Interior
Score
7.75/10
Technology
Score
8/10
Value
Score
8/10
The Breakdown
Distinctive front end
Ample screen real estate
Low starting price
Nickel and dime approach to tech
Weak powertrains
Bland cabin design
A middle-of-the-road SUV
2024 Encore GX Specs
- 137 horsepower from base engine
- 162 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 3 available trims
- 23.5 cu-ft of cargo capacity
- 50.3 cu-ft of cargo capacity with seats folded
- Eight standard airbags
- Buick’s new “Virtual Cockpit” includes 19-inch screen
- Complementary first scheduled maintenance
2024 Buick Encore GX Powertrain 7.25/10
In base form, the 2024 Buick Encore GX is fitted with a turbocharged 1.2L inline-3 rated for 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque. It pairs with a CVT to drive the front wheels with a focus on comfortable cruising. Stoplight racer the Encore GX is not. There is also an optional 1.3L three-cylinder that comes with a 9-speed automatic. Though turbocharged as well, this slightly larger motor doesn’t up the ante much with 155 horses and 174 torques.
Strangely, the more powerful motor has the best fuel economy of 29/31 mpg in city/highway driving versus 29/30 for the 1.2L setup. The 1.3L variant is standard on the Sport Touring and Avenir models with FWD. If you want AWD, the 1.3L mill is the only way to get it but it adds an extra $1,600 to the bottom line.
Buck isn’t known for speed, but still, the Encore GX is a serious snoozer. It would be interesting to apply these lessons in aftermarket turbocharging to the little Buick and craft a crossover that no one would see coming. Short of that, these poky powertrains leave a lot to be desired.
2024 Buick Encore GX Interior 7.75/10
As the 2024 Encore GX hasn’t changed dimensionally compared to the prior generation, which we evaluate here, cargo space remains the same at 23.5 cubic feet behind the rear seat or 50.2 cubic feet with it folded down. In good news, features like a laminated windshield and Active Noise Cancellation, which delivers an appropriately quiet cabin, carry over from the older model. Unfortunately, so does the manual climate control on entry-level models.
You can have dual-zone automatic climate control on the Avenir model, but it feels like a bit too much cost-cutting for a vehicle positioned in the premium segment. A nifty feature is the fold-flat front passenger seat to enable the loading of longer cargo, but on the whole, the Encore GX interior doesn’t overly impress. The design is uninspired and the features that you would expect a higher-end SUV to come with like heated and power-adjustable front seats require a top-spec Avenir.
2024 Buick Encore GX Technology Features 8/10
New this year, the entire Encore GX lineup comes with what Buick calls the “Virtual Cockpit”. It’s an impressive setup that features an 8-inch digital gauge cluster and an 11-inch infotainment screen all behind a single pane of glass. Other standard systems include wireless Apple and Android smartphone mirroring, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and 3 years of OnStar connectivity. But regardless of the model, features like a surround-view monitor, a wireless charging pad and a Bose audio system require an optional package. Given that the latter option only brings the speaker count to seven, you may be better off upgrading the stereo on your own.
Every Encore GX comes with forward collision mitigation, a lane-keeping system, automatic high beams, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. Though the 2024 model has not yet been tested by either the NHTSA or IIHS, both of those agencies awarded the prior generation top marks, so it’s likely the new Encore will follow suit as nothing has changed from a safety perspective.
2024 Buick Encore GX Trims & Pricing
Preferred – $26,895
The base Encore GX comes with LED headlights, 18-inch alloy wheels, and heated side mirrors. Cabin amenities include cloth and leatherette upholstery, air conditioning, and a 6-speaker stereo. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are managed via the 11-inch infotainment display that is joined by a fully digital gauge cluster behind a single sheet of glass known as the “Virtual Cockpit”.
Sport Touring – $28,095
Sport Touring models add gloss black wheels and exterior bits along with full leatherette seats and ST embroidered on the front headrests. As with the Preferred trim, adaptive cruise control, an SVM, and wireless charging are available via the Advanced Technology package. An optional Comfort package brings an armrest for the back row, heated front seats, and a power-adjustable driver’s seat.
Avenir – $33,195
The top-spec Avenir sports 19-inch rims, a monochrome paint job, and a “Black Ice” front grille treatment. These models come with a power-adjustable driver’s seat and power-folding front passenger seat along with dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and leather upholstery. The $1,295 Avenir Convenience package adds a hands-free liftgate, rain-sensing wipers, and a Bose 7-speaker stereo system.
2024 Buick Encore GX Overall Value
Although it’s the most expensive model, the 2024 Encore GX in Avenir trim has the sort of standard features and amenities you might expect of a Buick, making it the best value here. Pricing is reasonable against the likes of a Volkswagen Taos or Mazda CX-30 and the Encore GX benefits from the shiny new factor that the handsome front end and “Virtual Cockpit” bring to the table. As for the warranty, Buick’s is of the industry-average variety with a 3-year/36,000-mile vehicle term, 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain term, and one complimentary service in the first year of ownership.
CarsForSale.com Overall Score
2024 Buick Encore GX – buick.com | Shop 2024 Buick Encore GX on Carsforsale.com
Buying a 2024 Buick Encore GX is not a bad idea if your criteria include a quiet cabin, a comfortable ride, and a strong infotainment system. But, it’s harder to justify when you stack the Encore GX up against something like the Kia Seltos – a vehicle that Buick would likely say is not part of its competitive set. Nonetheless, a Seltos undercuts the Buick on price while blowing its doors off with power and value. For Buick to compete more effectively, it needs to at least offer features like ventilated seats, a head-up display, and semi-autonomous driving technology. More power would be nice too. Before hitting the dealership, be sure to check out the latest new car incentives.
2024 Buick Encore GX FAQ
Is the Buick Encore a Good Car?
Yes, the Buick Encore is a good car. It offers reliability and a high level of included technology for a reasonable starting price.
Is the Buick Encore AWD?
In base form, the Buick Encore is a FWD vehicle with the option for AWD across the model lineup.
How many cylinders does the Buick Encore Engine have?
Both engine options for the Buick Encore have three cylinders.
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