Looking for a subcompact crossover with a dash of panache wrapped within a trustworthy/notable name? The 2025 Buick Encore GX fills and checks off all boxes.
Encore GX measures in as Buick’s smallest offering while quite possibly delivering the brand’s strongest name recognition in its U.S. line up joining recently released diminutive Envista (which Buick describes as a crossover coupe despite five doors), compact Envision and mid-sized Enclave. Encore GX scores as the best-selling of the quad.
All qualify as crossovers with car-based, unibody structure, the focus of Buick sales as four-door sedans with familiar names from generation’s past such as Regal and LaCrosse have retired. Heavier-duty body-on-frame trucks market through General Motors’ GMC Truck division, which often shares a Buick’s dealership’s footprint. Buick self identifies itself as a comfortable niche between traditional mainstream autos (Toyota, Honda, Chevrolet) and luxury automakers (Audi, BMW, Lexus).
First, a bit of recent history defining the difference between a Buick Encore and a similar-sounding Buick Encore GX. The pedestrian Encore debuted in the 2013 model year sharing a platform with tiny Chevrolet Trax and production continued until 2022 while Encore GX debuted in 2020 as a sleeker, slightly larger version (three inches longer) with its own specific powertrains and continues production till this day. The Encore GX is not an up tier trim level of the Buick Encore, it’s an entirely separate animal altogether. So why all the double talk?
Buick’s plan in the late teens included replacing its existing Encore with an all-new subcompact platform/product. The rub arrived when despite its advancing age, Encore continued as one of the best-selling products at dealerships. Corporate management decided to cash in upon its name popularity by marketing its new subcompact with the same prefix, thus the Encore GX was born. Buick could have birthed a completely new name incorporating its first ‘En’ syllable (for example, and we’re just riffing here, the Buick Enlighten, Buick Enrico or Buick Enrapture). For two years, Buick sold the two distinct platforms side by side until ‘Encore’s’ 2022 model year production finale but the confusion lives on today. It’s an important distinction especially if shopping for pre-driven Buicks.
A new version of Buick’s Tri-shield logo appears inside and out without circular framing utilized in past years. It debuted in 2024. Exterior wise, the new logo appears above the grille rather than inside. The reimagined shield joined Encore GX’s 2024 mid-cycle restyling boasting a revamped interior with Buick’s virtual cockpit system. Updates in 2025 remain minimal.
Three returning 2025 trim levels include Preferred, Sports Touring and upmarket Avenir all available with front wheel or Midwest welcome all-wheel drive (for an extra $1,600 - $2,000 extra depending upon trim selected). The posh Avenir trim debuted in the 2024 model year as the most opulent trim and adorns other Buick models.
Encore GX offers two powertrains: a 1.2-liter three-cylinder cranks out 137 horsepower while a 1.3-liter three-cylinder turbo bumps up that number to 155. Both mate to a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) within the front-wheel drive format. The 1.2-liter engine comes standard in Preferred with the 1.3-liter optional. Both ST and Preferred front drive trims include the 1.3 standard. Select all-wheel drive and the 1.3-liter engine arrives standard across all three trims mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. An engine stat/stop function comes standard quieting the engine at idle times but may be overridden with the push of a dashboard button.
Neither engine classifies as perfunctory performance, but both turbos supply pleasant propulsion especially during city travel while delivering decent fuel number feedback within the three-cylinder spectrum. Three-cylinder engines are not uncommon in 2025 and arrive in other subcompacts from Mitsubishi, Chevrolet and Ford, among others. The traditional nine-speed transmission offers more spunk from a standing start then the continuously variable transmission with its infinite number of forward gear ratios rather than a set number of planetary gears.
Currently no all-electric EV, gas-electric hybrid or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) dot the 2024 U.S. lineup although Buick announced plans to resurrect a name from its storied past, the Electra to represent its new all-electric crossover scheduled out in the next couple of years.
Buick supplied a top-shelf all-wheel drive Encore GX Avenir starting at $33,100. Two available option packages included a $1,395 technology package and $1,295 convenience package for a $37,085 bottom line reflecting a $1,295 destination charge. A front-drive Preferred trim with 1.2-liter engine checks in at about $26,000, a relatively ‘upscale’ starting point within the subcompact realm.
Encore GX handles corners in competent fashion with minimal body lean. Ride quality rates as comfortable, not sporty. Road grip especially with all-wheel drive remains a high point.
The Avenir tech package includes a hands-free lift gate (manual lift gates come standard in all trims), rear park assist and premium stereo. Convenience packages add a wireless Smartphone charging pad, rear camera mirror and adaptive cruise control. Other trims also include two/three option packages.
Unique to Avenir, a heated steering wheel, 10-way power driver seat, 19-inch Avenir specific wheels and a large honeycomb-filled front grille with a black ice finish. Each of the three trims sports their own unique shark nose front and low grille design.
Slipping behind the driver’s seat, one can’t help but notice the single sheet of glass with black back drop introduced last year stretching across dash from behind the steering wheel towards the central region. An eight-inch digital instrument panel area covers the west while an 11-inch multi-function touch screen takes center stage to the east. Both screens light up with Buick’s frameless tri-bar logo when starting via the electronic start/stop button right of the steering column and contribute to Buick’s virtual cockpit system in all three trims. Separating both screens is a circular black on/off/volume audio dial.
Buick smartly separates the multi-function touch-sensitive mid screen from HVAC controls found lower on the dash in a rectangular format. A series of up/down push tabs control fan speed with a touch sensitive portion motivates temperature in Avenir trims, the sole trim with dual front temperature zones. Models with the heated seat options include push control in this region. However, secondary HVAC controls are found within the touch screen for those who enjoy rolling with touch screen taps.
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity (with compatible Smartphones) come standard but unfortunately, a wireless pad charging arrives in option packaging within all trims. Like to have this standard in future efforts.
Unique to Avenir’s interior, a Whisper Beige intersecting with Jet Black accents and comfortable leather seating. The 60/40 split second row bench backrest folds flat onto cushion seats creating a decent-for-a-subcompact 50.2 cubic feet of volume. When prone, two adults fit with optimal comfort, squeezing a third invitee surrenders any perceived personal space. Peak under the cargo floor board and Encore GX includes a compact spare tire, something not all rivals include.
Narrow checkmark shaped LED headlamp housing wraps around from side fenders above a lowered honeycomb grill and pointing to the newly designed tri-shield logo. A center crease line vertically leads up to the windshield while a pair of curved creases start at the A-Pillar, working their way to headlight housing. Look closely at the housing itself and find yet another set of tri-shield logos built into housing corners. The top of the two-band checkmark headlight illuminates with an amber hue when activating turn signal stalks.
Wheel wells sport a half-moon shape. Overall the exterior presents a modern stance/look without overt extreme edging or polarizing details. Encore GX’s subcompact dimensions ease parking hassles in tight parking slots or smaller garages.
A notable extra not found in most subcompacts: a manually-folding passenger seat backrest allowing shotgun riders to lay back more than expected and relax (providing no kids, pets, teens, tweens or grandparents occupy the seat directly behind).
Encore includes a capless fuel lead standard, allowing gasoline fuel station nozzle direct access to a self-sealing tank lead. Puncture the nozzle lead beyond the thin self-sealing plate to pump and when the nozzle retreats, the plate seals up. The gas tank holds 13.2 gallons of regular, unleaded fuel. Our all-wheel drive format with the larger 1.3-liter engine generated 26 miles per gallon city and 28 mpg highway. With front wheel drive, this 1.3 engine ups the ante to 29 mpg city and 31 highway, acceptable-to-good for a subcompact offering.
Safety nuances package together in Buick’s Active Safety Assistance Technologies Driver Confidence bundle standard in all trims including emergency braking, lane keep assist/warning, auto high beams and front pedestrian braking system. Optional tech packages include side blind zone alert, radar-sensitive adaptive cruise control, and a nifty rear camera mirror feed bypassing heads and shoulders occupying row two via a small camera positioned behind the second row. Simply flip a mechanical lower frame tab to switch between the two views.
Total U.S. sales of the Encore GX reached 167,030 for the 2023 calendar year. That’s up a healthy 29 percent from the previous 12-month cycle but miles behind its best calendar year, 2016 when 229,631 units sold of the plain old ‘Encore’. Encore GX lead the pack of all Buick’s sold in 2023 with 64,149 units. The retiring Encore also pitched in with 5,887 units in 2023.
2025 Buick Encore GX
Price as tested: $37,085
Engine: Turbocharged 1.3-liter three cylinder
Horsepower: 155
Wheelbase: 102.2 inches
Overall Length: 171.2 inches
Overall Width: 71.4 inches
Overall Height: 64.5 inches
Fuel Economy: 26 mpg city, 28 mpg highway
Curb Weight: 3,255 pounds
Powertrain Warranty: Five years/60,000 miles
ssembly: South Korea
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